What is Cabinet Refinishing?
Here is all the information you need regarding cabinet refinishing.
Cabinet refinishing is a cost-effective, eco-friendly process that transforms your existing cabinets with a fresh, durable finish, restoring their beauty or giving them a completely new look without needing replacement.
Here is what we will cover on this page:
What exactly is Cabinet Refinishing and how can it create an amazing kitchen
How are Refinishing Cabinets done
How long does it take
What products we use
Is Refinishing Cabinets better than painting
and what’s the difference between Refinishing Cabinets and Refacing Cabinets
What is Cabinet Refinishing?
Cabinet refinishing is a process that revitalizes the appearance of your existing cabinets without needing a complete replacement.
It involves preparing the cabinet surfaces by thoroughly cleaning, sanding, and repairing any imperfections to ensure a smooth base.
Once prepared, a fresh coating—such as lacquer or paint—is professionally applied to achieve the desired finish.
This process transforms the look of your cabinets, whether you want to restore their original beauty or give them a completely new color and style. Refinishing is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than replacing cabinets, as it reuses the existing structure while eliminating unnecessary waste.
It's an excellent option for homeowners who want to update their kitchen or bathroom's aesthetic, improve durability, or increase home value without the time and expense of a full renovation.
Cabinet refinishing delivers a like-new appearance while preserving the character and functionality of your current cabinetry.
“Cabinet refinishing delivers a like-new appearance while preserving the character and functionality of your current kitchen cabinets.”
How is cabinet refinishing done?
Being able to spray kitchen cabinets and make them look as good as we do is a difficult thing to do. Add on the entire process plan of getting a whole kitchen done within 5 days - that is what we call being professional Kitchen Cabinet Refinish-ers.
We have perfected the process from when we will be in your home working and when we are back at the shop, working in the spray booth.
You will be amazed on how organized and professional of a painting company we are when you see how easy it is to work with us.
Removal and Prep
At your home, we’ll carefully remove all cabinet hardware, doors, and drawer fronts to prepare them for refinishing. These components will be transported back to our shop, where the transformation begins. Each piece undergoes a thorough degreasing process to eliminate built-up oils, grease, and residues, ensuring a clean surface for refinishing. We then meticulously sand the surfaces to remove the existing finish and create an ideal texture for the new coating to adhere to. We perform necessary repairs to restore the cabinets to their best condition if there are any dents, scratches, or other imperfections. This comprehensive preparation ensures that every piece is smooth, flawless, and ready to receive a durable, high-quality finish. Meanwhile, the cabinet frames in your home are carefully prepped onsite, ensuring a seamless and professional end result. Our attention to detail during this stage sets the foundation for a stunning, long-lasting cabinet transformation.
Lacquer Application
Once all the cabinet components at our shop have been meticulously prepped, we begin the lacquer application process to ensure a flawless, durable finish. First, we apply a high-quality bonding primer to all sides of the doors and drawer fronts. This primer is specifically designed to enhance adhesion, creating a strong foundation for the lacquer to bond with the surface. After the primer cures, we carefully sand the surfaces again to ensure a smooth, even texture and to remove any minor imperfections. Each piece is then closely inspected for flaws, and any necessary repairs are made to guarantee a perfect finish.
Next, we apply two coats of top-quality lacquer, renowned for its durability and luxurious appearance. The lacquer is sprayed evenly to achieve a seamless, factory-like finish. Each coat is allowed to cure fully before additional layers are applied, ensuring maximum durability and a vibrant, long-lasting sheen. This process results in cabinets that are not only beautiful but also resistant to wear, moisture, and stains—perfect for high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
In house application
Once we return to your home, our top priority is protecting your space while we work. We carefully mask off surrounding areas, tent the kitchen to contain any dust or overspray, and set up a professional ventilation system to ensure a clean and safe working environment. This preparation not only safeguards your home but also helps maintain optimal conditions for the application process.
With the space fully prepped, we begin refinishing the cabinet frames in the same meticulous manner as the doors and drawer fronts. We apply a high-quality bonding primer to ensure excellent adhesion and a strong foundation for the lacquer. The frames are then thoroughly inspected, sanded, and repaired as needed to address any imperfections.
Once the prep work is complete, we apply multiple coats of top-quality lacquer, carefully building up a smooth, even finish. The result is a flawless, durable surface that matches the professionally refinished doors and drawers, giving your cabinets a cohesive, factory-like appearance. This attention to detail ensures a beautiful, long-lasting transformation for your kitchen.
Reinstall doors and Clean
As the final step in the process, we carefully take down and dispose of all masking materials and protective coverings, ensuring your space is clean and free of debris. Once the area is clear, we reinstall all the cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware that were previously removed. Every piece is precisely aligned and securely fastened to ensure smooth operation and a seamless appearance.
By the end of the day, your kitchen will be completely transformed with a fresh new look that is smooth, durable, and undeniably beautiful. The professional-grade lacquer finish not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your cabinets but also provides long-lasting protection against wear and tear, ensuring your kitchen remains stunning for years to come. We take pride in delivering a space you’ll love coming home to—one that looks and feels like new.
“Graham and his paint crew did a great job!
Our cupboards look amazing! We would highly recommend this company excellent customer service as well. ”
How long does cabinet refinishing take?
Depending on the amount of cabinets you are getting refinished, we generally say between 4-6 days.
Our timeline for an average kitchen is as follows:
Monday - we will come by your house to do the removal
Tuesday - back at our shop we will start the prep and the lacquer application for the doors and drawer fronts
Wednesday - we are at your house again for the in house application
Thursday - if needed, we will return to your house for any final in house details. Otherwise we finish up the lacquer application back at the shop
Friday - we bring everything back to your house and reinstall it all.
What products do we use in cabinet refinishing?
We only use Lacquer on our cabinets:
Beautiful new color in your kitchen.
Smooth and factory-finish cabinet doors and frames
Durable and washable kitchen cabinets.
Why we don’t use paint for kitchen cabinets:
Not strong enough to hold up in your kitchen.
Has the tendency to peal and fail to easily.
Easily absorbs stains and oils.
Looks like you “Painted” your kitchen rather than Refinished your Cabinets.
“These guys love to paint. I love companies who love what they do. I highly recommend.”
Is Cabinet Refinishing better than painting your kitchen cabinets?
Lacquer is the only way to go when painting your kitchen cabinets.
Lacquer dries and cures faster than paint, speeding up the refinishing process and reducing downtime in your kitchen. This efficiency makes it ideal for busy households.
Cabinets refinished with lacquer are easier to clean and resist stains, grease, and moisture better than painted surfaces. This durability ensures they maintain their beauty despite everyday kitchen messes.
Lacquer finishes are more resistant to yellowing and fading over time, ensuring your cabinets retain their vibrant color and high-end appearance for years to come.
By choosing lacquer over paint for your kitchen cabinets, you’re investing in a solution that combines beauty, durability, and practicality, transforming your space into a stunning, long-lasting centerpiece of your home.
Cabinet refinishing has many benefits when compared to painting your cabinets, making it the better choice for homeowners who want long-lasting beauty and durability.
Lacquer creates a durable and protective surface that will not show wear and tear the way paint will. It will resist most scuffs and scratches - which will ensure that those high touch areas on your cabinets stay beautiful for years to come.
By spraying lacquer instead of brushing and rolling paint, you can get a perfectly smooth finish that feels professional and exquisite. We will repair any imperfections during the preparation portion of the project, so your cabinets look amazing.
What’s the difference between refinishing and refacing
Homeowners often compare cabinet refinishing and cabinet refacing to decide which best suits their needs.
Cabinet Refinishing involves revitalizing the existing cabinet structure by changing its color or finish. This process includes cleaning, sanding, repairing imperfections, and applying a new finish—such as high-quality lacquer or paint—to the cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and frames. Refinishing is ideal for homeowners who want to keep their current cabinet style and layout but refresh the appearance. It’s cost-effective, eco-friendly (since it reuses the existing materials), and quicker to complete. However, refinishing doesn’t change the design or address structural issues, so it works best when the cabinets are in good condition.
If you don’t like the profile of your doors - Choose Cabinet Refacing.
Cabinet Refacing, on the other hand, involves replacing the cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware while covering the existing cabinet frames with a veneer or laminate to match the new design. This process allows for a more dramatic transformation, as homeowners can completely change the cabinet style, material, or color. Refacing is more expensive than refinishing but is still less costly than a full cabinet replacement. It’s a great option for those who want a new design without the expense and disruption of tearing out and replacing cabinets. However, it doesn’t address issues like poor layout or damaged cabinet interiors
Ultimately, the choice between refinishing and refacing depends on your goals, budget, and the condition of your existing cabinets. Refinishing is perfect for preserving and refreshing your cabinets, while refacing offers a more significant aesthetic upgrade without the need for a full renovation. Both options can give your kitchen a beautiful new look tailored to your preferences.
We can help you love your kitchen with our Refinishing kitchen cabinets
What is the cost of cabinet refinishing?
It really depends on the size of your kitchen and if we are adding on bathroom and laundry cabinet systems.
It can start as low as $5000.
Download our Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Booklet for all the information you may need.
We have an online quoting system.
Simply click the link, upload pictures and we will email you back a quote.
