Painting guides, tips and local know-how
What we've learned refinishing cabinets, painting rooms and staining decks across Madison and Dane County, written down for homeowners. Pick a topic, or browse everything below.
Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are the work we're asked about most. These guides cover how refinishing is done, what holds up in a busy kitchen, and how to plan for the week or two it takes. All cabinets posts
CabinetsThe best primer for cabinets depends on what's on them now
Bonding, stain-blocking, oil-based or shellac? What each cabinet primer type is for, which one fits your doors, and two tests to run on one door first.
CabinetsReading a cabinet painting before and after: four real kitchens
Four of our own cabinet jobs, side by side, and four checks that tell you what paint really changed in any before and after photo.
CabinetsBlack kitchen cabinets: what the color shows, and the prep it needs
Black hides less than you'd think. What it does with light, prints and worn edges, the sheen and prep that suit it, and how to plan for touch-ups.
CabinetsCan you paint veneer cabinets? Yes, if you respect how thin the wood is
Veneer is real wood glued over a core, so it paints like wood but can't take hard sanding. How to identify it, check the core and pick a primer.
CabinetsThe best paint for kitchen cabinets is a type, not a brand
Waterborne alkyd, acrylic enamel or oil? What each cabinet paint type does well, how long each takes to cure, and six lines to read on any can before you buy.
CabinetsHow to paint cabinets without sanding, and when you shouldn't
Skipping sanding works on some cabinets and fails on others. A decision grid, the steps that replace sanding, a bandage test for the bond, and what a Wisconsin winter changes.
CabinetsPainted vs stained cabinets: how to choose, and how to switch
Paint or stain? What each finish really is, why stained cabinets wear too, what the 2026 trend numbers say about wood, and how to paint over stained cabinets the right way.
CabinetsPainting cherry cabinets and maple: prep, bleed and color
Cherry and maple paint smoothly, unlike oak. The risk is red or yellow bleed from the old stain. A test-door method, color ideas from kitchens we've refinished, and what Wisconsin seasons do to painted wood.
CabinetsPainting MDF cabinets and particleboard: edges, water and dust
MDF and particleboard cabinets can be painted. How to tell what yours are made of, why the edges need sealing, why swelling doesn't reverse, and what formaldehyde rules and sanding dust mean for you.
CabinetsProfessional cabinet painting: what each step prevents, and how to judge a quote
Every step in a professional cabinet painting job stops one specific failure. Here's how to spot each step on a quote, and how to compare quotes that don't match.
CabinetsCabinet colors that make a small kitchen feel bigger, and when dark still works
Light and warm usually wins in a small kitchen, but dark can work too. Here's how reflected light, contrast and one color versus two change the room.
CabinetsSatin, semi-gloss or gloss: choosing a cabinet finish
Satin is softer and more forgiving. Semi-gloss wipes cleaner and shows more. Here's how each sheen behaves on kitchen cabinets, and how to pick one.
CabinetsChoosing cabinet pulls and knobs when you're painting your cabinets
Pick the hardware before the paint goes on. Here's how to choose between knobs and pulls, match the finish to your color, size them, and handle the old holes.
CabinetsRefinishing or refacing: what each one does to your cabinets
Refinishing keeps the doors you have and changes their finish. Refacing swaps the doors and covers the boxes. Here's how to tell which one your kitchen needs.
CabinetsGreen kitchen cabinets, from soft sage to deep forest
Sage, olive or forest, green cabinets work when the shade fits your light, counters and floors. Here's how to match them, with two green kitchens as examples.
CabinetsHow durable painted cabinets really are, and what makes them chip
No paint is chip-proof, but most chips have a cause you can see coming. Here's what wears, why, and what keeps a painted finish looking good.
CabinetsHow long cabinet painting takes, from prep to the last hinge
Most kitchens take one to two weeks. Here's where that time goes, and why the paint needs longer than that to fully harden.
CabinetsCleaning painted kitchen cabinets without wrecking the finish
Soft cloth, warm water, mild soap and a towel is most of it. Here's the routine, the cleaners to skip, and why a new finish needs a few gentle weeks.
CabinetsPainting a kitchen island a different color from your cabinets
The island is the easy place to try a second color. Here's what pairs with your perimeter cabinets, and what a painted island has to put up with.
CabinetsMudroom cabinet ideas that survive boots, snow and salt
Mudroom cabinets take more abuse than any others in the house. Here are the layouts, finishes and colors that hold up through a Wisconsin winter.
CabinetsNavy kitchen cabinets: the light, counters and hardware that make them work
Navy works like a deep neutral when the room has light and the right partners. Here's what to pair with it, and what a dark color asks of the paint.
CabinetsPainting laundry room cabinets: colors, finishes and humidity
A durable, wipeable color can turn plain laundry room cabinets into a room that looks designed. Here's what humidity does to paint, and how to plan around it.
CabinetsCan you paint a bathroom vanity? What it takes to last
A vanity can be painted, and it's one of the quickest ways to change a bathroom. Moisture is the thing to plan for. Here's the prep, sheen and care that last.
CabinetsHow to paint built-in bookshelves so the finish lasts
Built-ins paint beautifully when the prep is right. Here's the order of work, how to pick the color inside the shelves, and why the books have to wait.
CabinetsWhite kitchen cabinets: picking the white and prepping for it
White works in almost any kitchen, but the wrong undertone or thin prep over dark wood shows. Here's how to pick the white and what goes underneath it.
CabinetsRepainting cabinets that were already painted: what comes off and what has to bond
Painted cabinets can be painted again if the old paint is sound. Here's how to check it, what has to come off, and the prep that keeps the new coat from peeling.
CabinetsShould you paint the inside of your kitchen cabinets?
Painting the inside of cabinets is optional. Here's when it pays off, when it doesn't, and what to expect from painted shelves.
CabinetsTwo-tone kitchen cabinets: how to split the colors
Let one color lead, make the second clearly different, and change at a natural seam. Here are the common splits, pairings that work and rules for balance.
CabinetsChoosing a color for painted kitchen cabinets
Five real cabinet jobs, cherry to white to forest green, and what each one teaches about choosing a color.
CabinetsWhat cabinet painting costs, and what changes the price
How a cabinet painting quote is built: priced per cabinet with paint included, and what changes the number.
CabinetsShould you paint or replace your kitchen cabinets?
When painting your cabinets makes sense, when replacing them does, and what refinishing leaves alone.
CabinetsCan you paint laminate kitchen cabinets?
Yes, laminate cabinets can be painted. What it takes for the finish to bond and last.
CabinetsSpray painting kitchen cabinets: why sprayed doors look different
Why sprayed cabinet doors look factory smooth, and how the doors, drawers and frames are finished.
CabinetsPainting oak kitchen cabinets: what to expect
Painting oak cabinets: what the grain does under paint, and the prep that keeps the finish smooth.
Interior painting
Walls, ceilings, trim and doors, one room at a time. What changes the result, what a good job looks like up close, and how to plan around it. All interior painting posts
Interior paintingThe best paint for trim levels smooth, lets go and stays white
Waterborne alkyd, acrylic enamel or oil-based? How each trim paint levels, sticks, cures and holds its white, plus how to choose a white for baseboards and casings.
Interior paintingHow to paint shiplap so the gaps, knots and seams look right
Gaps first, knots sealed, no caulk in the reveal. How to paint real wood and MDF shiplap, pick a sheen, and plan for boards that move with the seasons.
Interior paintingPainting the ceiling the same color as the walls: when it works, when it doesn't
Color drenching a room: what research says about ceilings and room height, how a color's LRV decides it, and a checklist to run before you commit.
Interior paintingPainting crown molding: the color, the order and the ladder
Match the ceiling, match the walls, or make it the accent? A color decision table for crown molding, the order of work, an oil or latex test, and ladder and lead safety at ceiling height.
Interior paintingPainting a popcorn ceiling: test it first, then paint it gently
Can you paint a popcorn ceiling? Yes, after an asbestos test. What EPA advises, why no build year makes texture safe, Wisconsin's rules and the painting method.
Interior paintingTwo tone walls: where to split, which color goes down, how to paint the line
Where to split a two tone wall, which color goes down, how to pick the pair by LRV and how to paint a level, sealed line, plus colour capping and older walls.
Interior paintingAccent walls: which wall, which color, and when to leave it plain
Pick the right wall, the right color and the right finish, or skip the accent wall altogether. Here's how to tell which room wants one.
Interior paintingPainting a finished basement: color, light and the moisture question
A good basement paint job starts with a dry wall, then works around low light. Colors, ceilings, sheen and timing for a finished basement.
Interior paintingChoosing ceiling paint: sheen, color and the trouble spots
Flat white is the right call for most ceilings. Here's why, and how bathrooms, kitchens, stains and textured ceilings change the answer.
Interior paintingWhat to plan for when you paint an office, shop or small business
Painting a space that has to keep working means planning the schedule, the fumes and the equipment. Here's what to settle before the first can is opened.
Interior paintingDining room paint colors, from deep and moody to warm and light
Most dining rooms are used by lamplight, which changes how a color looks. Here's how to choose, from deep brown to warm white.
Interior paintingHow long painting a room takes, and what changes the answer
Most rooms take one to two days. Here's where the time goes, what slows a room down, and why the paint needs weeks to fully harden.
Interior paintingA simple process for picking paint colors, room by room
Start with the things you aren't changing, learn to read undertones, test on the wall in your own light, and pick colors that carry from room to room.
Interior paintingNursery paint colors that stay calm, and how far ahead to paint
Soft colors are the easy part. The decisions that matter more are the type of paint and finishing the job well before the baby arrives.
Interior paintingChoosing a paint color for a room that faces north
A north-facing room gets cool, indirect light, and it changes every color you put on the wall. Here's how to work with it instead of against it.
Interior paintingWhy stairwells take longer to paint, and what to ask before you start
Tall walls, no flat floor and a lot of hands: here's what makes a stairwell harder than a room, and how the job should be approached.
Interior paintingBaseboards that look finished: prep, caulk, sheen and floor protection
Clean baseboards come from prep, a tight bead of caulk, the right sheen and a floor that's protected. Here's what matters at each step.
Interior paintingGarage walls: prep, paint choice and what a Wisconsin winter changes
Clean, prime, choose a washable sheen and watch the temperature. How to paint garage walls so the finish lasts through a Wisconsin winter.
Interior paintingInterior doors: color, sheen and the choices worth making first
Doors are some of the most-touched surfaces you can paint. Here's how to choose color and sheen, what to know about panel doors and hinges, and how to avoid sticking.
Interior paintingGoing light over a dark wall color: primer, coats and what to expect
Light over dark takes primer first and then two finish coats. Here's how a tinted primer helps and what to prep before you start.
Interior paintingHow to approach painting wood paneling so the finish lasts
Dated paneling can be painted. The cleaning, the primer and what you do about the grooves separate a smooth finish from one that peels or bleeds.
Interior paintingPowder room paint colors for a small room that can take a risk
A powder room is small, short-stay and easy on paint, which makes it the place for deep, saturated color. Here's what works and what to watch.
Decks and exterior
Wisconsin weather is hard on anything outside. These guides cover deck stain, front and garage doors, and trim, and how to time the work around our short season. All decks and exterior posts
Decks and exteriorDeck stain dry times: touch, feet, furniture and the wait before
Dry to the touch, ready for feet, ready for furniture and fully hard are four different waits. Here's each one by stain type, plus the wait before you stain.
Decks and exteriorHow to paint a metal door so it doesn't rust, blister or stick
Steel and aluminum doors need different primers, and a door's surface temperature matters as much as the forecast. Rust, dents, dark colors, storm doors and cure time.
Decks and exteriorPainting fiberglass doors and steel doors: what the door makers say
Fiberglass and steel doors take paint well when you follow the maker's sheet. Where Pella, Therma-Tru and Clopay disagree, and how Madison weather fits in.
Decks and exteriorStaining pressure treated wood: the wait, the water test and Madison timing
When can you stain new treated lumber? Published waits run from one week to six months. Here's how to test the boards, and what Madison's damp months change.
Decks and exteriorChoosing a stain for your cedar deck
Cedar takes stain well, but film-forming finishes struggle on a deck. Here's how the stain types compare and what to look for on the label.
Decks and exteriorWhen to stain a deck: the weather, the wood and the forecast
Stain needs mild air, dry boards and a dry stretch afterward. Here's how to read the forecast, and what Wisconsin's cold nights change.
Decks and exteriorA yearly deck maintenance routine for Wisconsin homes
Wisconsin winters are hard on wood decks. This yearly routine keeps debris, mildew and a worn-out finish from becoming repairs.
Decks and exteriorFront door colors that suit your house, from brick to white walls
Navy, green, black, red and more: how to match a front door color to your house style, your brick or walls, and the light at your door.
Decks and exteriorHow long deck stain lasts, and how to tell when it's done
Two to three years on a new deck and longer on rough, weathered boards is the general range. Here's what moves it, and how to tell when it's finished.
Decks and exteriorHow to paint a front door without taking it off its hinges
Pick a mild, dry day, prep well, paint panels before edges and let the door dry ajar. Here's the whole job, step by step.
Decks and exteriorHow to prepare a deck for staining, in the order that works
Repair, strip what's failing, clean, brighten, dry and sand lightly. The order matters, and so does skipping nothing. Here's the whole sequence.
Decks and exteriorHow to paint a garage door so the finish lasts
Steel and wood garage doors need different prep, and dark colors can warp an insulated door. Here's how to paint one so it lasts.
Decks and exteriorPainting exterior trim: caulk, rot checks and timing
Trim is one of the first places exterior paint fails. Here's how to check for rot, caulk the joints and paint in the right order.
Decks and exteriorPorch paint ideas for floors, ceilings, doors and color
A porch is five surfaces with five different jobs. Here are color and paint ideas for the floor, ceiling, railings, trim and front door.
Decks and exteriorPaint or stain for your deck: the plain answer
For most wood decks, stain beats paint. Here's why, when paint is the exception, and what upkeep each one means.
Decks and exteriorSolid or semi-transparent deck stain: how each one wears
Semi-transparent stain soaks in and shows the grain. Solid stain hides more but forms a film. Here's how each one wears on a deck.
Decks and exteriorStaining a pergola: access, stain choice and upkeep
A pergola weathers faster than most wood on a house. Here's how to clean it, pick a stain and work overhead without making a mess.
Decks and exteriorWinter deck care: fall prep, shoveling and salt
A Wisconsin deck spends months under snow and ice. Here's what to do before it arrives and how to shovel and de-ice without damage.
Tips and tricks
The small habits that make a paint job look professional. Most of them cost nothing but a little patience. All tips and tricks posts
Tips and tricksCleaning painted walls without shiny spots or bare patches
Flat, satin or semi-gloss: how hard you can clean depends on the sheen. The gentle routine, the cleaners to skip and when a wall needs paint instead.
Tips and tricksRolling paint without lap marks, streaks or ridges
Most roller marks are timing problems. Keep a wet edge, load the roller evenly, and finish every pass in the same direction.
Tips and tricksCleaning paint brushes, and where the rinse water goes
Soap and water for latex, thinner for oil, and neither goes down a storm drain. Here's the routine, step by step.
Tips and tricksCutting in paint: a steady line at the ceiling, trim and corners
A clean cut-in line comes from the right brush, a light load of paint and a braced hand. Here's the routine, step by step.
Tips and tricksPaint drips and runs: fix them wet, fix them dry
A wet drip takes ten seconds to fix. A dry one needs sanding and a thin recoat. Here's both, plus how to stop making them.
Tips and tricksPeeling paint: find the cause, then repair it so it stays put
Paint that peels once will peel again unless you fix the reason. Here's how to read the chip, fix the cause and repair the surface.
Tips and tricksStoring leftover paint so it's still good for touch-ups
Leftover paint lasts for years if the lid is tight and the temperature stays steady. A Wisconsin garage in January is not that place.
Tips and tricksTesting paint colors on your own walls before you commit
A tiny swatch tells you very little. Big samples, on several walls, checked at different times of day, tell you what you'll live with.
Tips and tricksTouch-up paint that disappears instead of showing a patch
A touch-up that shows is usually a sheen or texture problem, not a color problem. Here's how to blend one in, and when to give up and repaint the wall.
Tips and tricksPainter's tape: when it earns its keep and when to pull it
Tape makes a sharp line when it's pressed down and pulled at the right moment, and a mess when it isn't. Here's how to get the first result.
Tips and tricksChoosing a paint finish, room by room
Pick the finish by what the room goes through: flat for ceilings, soft for bedrooms, tougher for kitchens, baths, hallways and trim.
Tips and tricksFirst-time painter? The habits that matter most
Most first-time mistakes come from rushing prep and loading too much paint. Here are the habits that keep a first room from going wrong.
Tips and tricksChoosing a roller nap for walls, ceilings and trim
A 3/8-inch nap suits most interior walls. Go shorter for smooth trim and doors, and longer for texture. Here's how to choose.
How-to
Plenty of painting is a good weekend project. These step by step guides show the order of work we follow, so your result lasts as long as ours. All how-to posts
How-toRepairing plaster walls: fill it, fasten it or rebuild it
Cracks, bulges and holes in old plaster each need a different fix. How to tell them apart, repair them in the right order and paint over the repair.
How-toCaulking baseboards: closing the gaps before you paint
A thin bead of caulk along the top of a baseboard makes a paint job look finished. Here's which caulk to buy and how to run a clean line.
How-toCleaning walls before you paint: what to use and what to skip
Paint won't hold over grease, soap film or mold. Here's how to clean every kind of wall, what to use and how long to wait.
How-toPainting a bathroom yourself: moisture, mildew and the right order
Bathrooms are small, but steam makes them one of the hardest rooms to paint well. Here's the order of work and how to make the finish last.
How-toPainting a brick fireplace: prep, prime and what not to paint
Brick drinks paint and holds soot. Here's the order of work for a painted fireplace, what to leave bare and where DIY gets hard.
How-toPainting a ceiling yourself: cut in, roll and keep a wet edge
Ceilings are easy to start and easy to streak. Here's the order of work, how to keep a wet edge and where DIY gets tiring or risky.
How-toPainting a room yourself: our order of work, from tape to cleanup
The order we paint a room in, with the tools, the drying waits and an honest look at the parts that trip up first-timers.
How-toHow to paint kitchen cabinets yourself, and where it gets hard
The whole process, from degreasing to the last coat, with honest drying times and a plain look at where DIY cabinet painting gets hard.
How-toPainting stair railings: banisters, spindles and a finish that handles hands
A stair railing is mostly small surfaces and constant touching. Here's the order of work, the waits and why the finish takes longer than it feels.
How-toPainting trim yourself: prep, caulk and a steady brush
Trim frames every room, and the brush strokes you leave are the finish you live with. Here's the order of work, the waits and the hard parts.
How-toPatching drywall holes, from nail holes to a doorknob dent
Small holes are a patient afternoon, not a hard skill. Here's the method, the drying times that matter and where a patch stops being a DIY job.
How-toPrepping walls for paint: clean, patch, sand, prime
Prep is where a paint job is won or lost. Here's the order we do it in, what each step is for, and when to stop and call someone.
How-toStaining a deck yourself: clean, dry, then keep a wet edge
Most deck staining goes wrong in the prep or the weather, not the brushing. Here's the order of work, the waits and where it gets hard.
Paint basics
What the words on the can mean, and why they matter. Start here if you're comparing sheens, primers or paint types. All paint basics posts
Paint basicsThe best paint for bathroom walls is built for steam, not shine
Mildew resistance, a real scrub result, the right sheen and enough cure time before the first shower: how to choose bathroom wall paint for the room you have.
Paint basicsDo you need primer? A plain guide to when it matters
Prime new drywall, patches, stains, glossy surfaces and big color changes. Over sound paint in a similar color, you can usually skip it.
Paint basicsDoes painting add value to a home? An honest answer
Fresh paint helps a home sell, but nobody can honestly promise a dollar return. What Realtors recommend and what appraisers look at.
Paint basicsHow long paint lasts, on the wall and in the can
Five to ten years is a fair working number on the wall, and about two years in an opened can. What changes those numbers, and how to tell.
Paint basicsHow many coats of paint you need, and when one is enough
Two coats for walls is the standard. When one is enough, when primer changes the count, and how long to wait between coats.
Paint basicsHow much paint you need for a room, with the math worked out
Measure the walls, divide by the coverage on the can, and multiply by the coats. Here's the math, worked through for one real-sized room.
Paint basicsLatex or oil-based paint: which one belongs on your walls and trim
Latex dries fast and cleans up with water. Oil-based cures harder and glossier. What each is good for, and how to paint over old oil.
Paint basicsLow-VOC paint: what the label means and what it doesn't
Low-VOC paint has fewer fumes per liter, but the label isn't standardized. What EPA says, what to read on the can, and what really keeps the air clear.
Paint basicsPaint dry time versus cure time: when a wall is really ready
Latex feels dry in an hour or two and cures in two to four weeks. What each stage means and what to avoid until the paint has hardened.
Paint basicsPaint sheens explained, from flat to high gloss
Sheen is how much light a paint reflects. Here's what each step from flat to gloss looks like, and which one fits each room.
Paint basicsWhy paint your home? Protection, light and a better sale
Paint protects surfaces, changes the light, and signals a well-kept home. The case for painting, and the cases where you should wait.
Hiring a painter
Choosing a painter is mostly about asking the right questions before anyone opens a can. Here's what to ask, what to look for in a quote, and how to get ready. All hiring a painter posts
Hiring a painterPaint it yourself or hire it out: an honest comparison
Some painting is a good weekend project and some isn't. Here's an honest look at the savings, the time, the risks and how to decide.
Hiring a painterComparing painting quotes so you're judging the same job
Quotes that look far apart often aren't covering the same job. Here's how to line up scope, prep, paint and coats so the price means something.
Hiring a painterHiring a painter: the steps from first call to final walkthrough
Decide what you want painted, get written quotes that cover the same work, and ask a few pointed questions. Here are the steps in order.
Hiring a painterGetting your home ready for the painters: what to move and what to leave
Clear the small stuff, leave the big furniture for the painters, and plan for kids, pets and fresh air. Here's the checklist, in order.
Hiring a painterThe questions that tell you whether a painter is worth hiring
A checklist of what to ask a painter, why each question matters, and what a good answer sounds like. It works for any painter, including us.
Hiring a painterWarning signs to watch for before you hire a painter
Pressure to sign today, a price with no scope, a quote far below the rest: the warning signs worth slowing down for, and what to do about each.
Hiring a painterWhat belongs on a painting estimate, line by line
A good painting estimate is in writing and covers scope, prep, paint, price and dates. Here's each line, and why it protects you.
Hiring a painterWhy painter insurance matters to you, the homeowner
Painting is low risk until it isn't. Here's what a painter's insurance covers, how to ask for proof, and what a certificate does and doesn't tell you.
Madison living
Local know-how for painting in Madison and the towns around it, from our short outdoor season to the older homes near the isthmus. All madison living posts
Madison livingA fall painting checklist before the Wisconsin winter
Finish outdoor painting while the nights allow it, seal what snowmelt can get into, and move the rest indoors.
Madison livingWhat a Wisconsin winter does to exterior paint, and what to check in spring
Water, ice and spring thaw wear out exterior paint from the edges in. Here's how the damage works and what to look for after winter.
Madison livingWhat to do with leftover paint in Dane County
Dried latex paint goes in your regular garbage, and liquid or oil-based paint goes to Dane County Clean Sweep. Here's how each option works.
Madison livingPainting a house in one of Madison's historic districts: what the city says
Five Madison neighborhoods are local historic districts with city review of exterior changes. Here's what the city publishes about repainting, brick and decks.
Madison livingWhen the outdoor painting season starts and ends in Madison
Outdoor paint needs steady temperatures and dry wood. Here's how Madison's climate numbers translate into a realistic painting season.
Madison livingPainting in humid weather: how Madison summers change the job
Humidity slows latex paint and can streak it. Here's how to keep a room dry, give each coat longer and know when outdoor work should wait.
Madison livingInterior painting in a Madison winter: warmth, fresh air and drying time
A freezing forecast doesn't stop indoor painting. Here's how to keep rooms warm enough, bring in fresh air and give paint time to dry and cure.
Madison livingPainting an older Madison home: plaster, old trim and the prep that counts
About 13% of Madison's homes were built before 1940. Here's how plaster, old oil-based trim and decades of paint change the job.
Madison livingRepainting a new build: when to do it and what to expect
New homes in Verona, Sun Prairie and Fitchburg often start with builder-grade paint. Here's when to repaint and what to fix first.
Madison livingA spring painting checklist for Wisconsin homes
Walk the outside, fix what lets water in, then paint on dry days. A spring checklist built around Wisconsin's thaw.
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