Rainbow Custom Painting of Santa Barbara brings a hands-on approach to every residential and commercial painting project across Santa Barbara, Montecito, Goleta, and the surrounding coastal communities. Owner Richard Negrete leads an in-house crew of trained painters who handle interior and exterior work, kitchen cabinet refinishing, Venetian plaster applications, faux finishes, deck restoration, and small stucco repairs.
The crew is known for meticulous surface preparation, a step Richard considers the foundation of any lasting finish. Customers in the Santa Barbara area have described their experiences working with the team as responsive, well-organized, and respectful of the properties they enter. From a 1928 Spanish revival exterior in the Riviera to a full interior repaint in Rincon Point, the range of completed projects reflects a versatile skill set shaped by more than two decades in the trade.
Rainbow Custom Painting holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been recognized through the Santa Barbara Award Program for painting contractors. The company serves homeowners, HOA boards, and commercial property managers from Santa Ynez Valley south through Ventura County, offering free on-site estimates, color consulting, and flexible maintenance plans to protect completed work over time.
Updated: 06-05-2026
Several homeowners along the coast have described how the crew approaches exterior work with a focus on thorough preparation before any paint goes on. Bob Kopf, whose home on Shoreline Dr. had been exposed to the marine environment for eight years, noted that the crew kept him updated with photos throughout the project and returned everything spotless. Alicia James pointed out that the prep work was performed with care even during a rainy season, with the crew returning as soon as conditions allowed.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Cabinet refinishing is one of the company's core offerings, and customers have highlighted the factory-quality results. Tim Angulo described his kitchen cabinets as looking better than new after the refinishing, and singled out lead painter David for his professionalism. Jean Parry initially hired the company for kitchen cabinets and was impressed enough to bring them back for a full two-story exterior. The company takes cabinet doors off-site to their workshop for controlled finishing conditions.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
A consistent thread across feedback is that the painters are described as polite, courteous, and respectful of the property. Thomas Salman noted the crew kept a tidy and safe work area. Carlos Membreno mentioned workers who were polite and finished on time. Barbara Holt, a repeat customer since 2012, shared that the crew went beyond their scope to help her move heavy items when they noticed she needed assistance.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Richard Negrete comes from a family background in stucco and plastering, and the company handles both decorative and repair applications. Addison Thompson hired Rainbow for stucco refinishing along with iron railing painting on an exterior project, describing the results as excellent. Marina Spicer had the facade of her home repaired and painted, noting Richard's attention to detail. The company lists Venetian plaster, Marmorino, lime wash, and faux stone finishes among its decorative offerings.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Several customers describe returning for additional work after initial projects. Barbara Holt has used the company since approximately 2012 across two different homes, both interior and exterior, noting dry rot repair done at no extra charge. Larry Linden mentions using Richard's crew for both large and small jobs over time. Kimberly Fowler Denner, after a successful exterior project, plans to hire the company again for a kitchen renovation.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Customers consistently describe the pricing as fair or competitive rather than cheap or expensive. Bob Kopf stated the price was fair but emphasized that the overall experience was more important. Becky Sullivan described being pleased with the quality and appreciated Richard's patience during the color selection process. Tara Dees, who hired Richard on behalf of a client, noted a fair price with flexibility when scope changes arose during the project.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Rainbow Custom Painting of Santa Barbara holds California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) License #855293, classified as C33 Painting and Decorating. The license was issued on March 2, 2005 and is currently active with an expiration date of March 31, 2027. The business is a sole ownership under Richard Negrete. The company maintains a $15,000 surety bond and carries liability insurance as confirmed through the BBB and BuildZoom.
-Verification Sources: CSLB, BBB, BuildZoom
Updated: 06-05-2026