What Exactly is Cabinet Refinishing (And How Does it Work?)

What Does it Mean to Refinish Your Cabinets?

Refinishing cabinets involves keeping all of the major structural components of your kitchen cabinets intact as a professional carefully repairs any damages and then repaints or re-stains the cabinets with a new color of your choice. 

Cabinet refinishing is the most cost-effective way to upgrade the look of your kitchen cabinets because you don’t have to purchase any new cabinet materials. Instead, all of the focus is on refreshing the existing cabinet boxes and doors. 

You should consider refinishing your cabinets if:

• You want to save money. New cabinet boxes—or even just new cabinet doors—can absorb as much as 40% of a kitchen remodeling budget. Cabinet refinishing allows you to keep your cabinetry while freshening up minor imperfections in their appearance. It also lets you delay parts of your remodel as needed, which is useful whether you decide to keep your countertops or replace them at a later date.
  
  
• You like the style and look of your existing doors. If you've thought about replacing or refacing your cabinets but keep coming back to a style that’s similar to your existing cabinets, you might want to refinish them instead.
  
  
• Your cabinets don’t have any major damages. Cabinets can’t be refinished if they have gashes or water damage. If your cabinets are in good shape, refinishing them can revive their beauty.
  
  
• You want your cabinets to last a long time. As long as the preparation and cleaning steps (outlined below) are done by a professional with care and skill, you shouldn’t see any chipping or fading for a while, which means you'll be adding years back to the service life of your kitchen cabinets.
  

How Does Cabinet Refinishing Work?

Our team has been refinishing cabinets for homeowners and investors for over two decades. Here’s the four-step, professional cabinet refinishing process we use to get beautiful results — every time: 

1.) Preparation

• We start by covering any surfaces in the kitchen to protect them from dust and debris—including countertops, appliances, and fixtures.
  
  
• Then, our team removes the cabinet doors and covers the interior surfaces of the cabinetry that won’t see any new paint or stain. During this process, we mark all the doors to keep track of where they belong. 

2.) Cleaning & Stripping

• Next, we clean all cabinets and doors with a few key cleaning agents. Leftover grease and dirt would be detrimental to the final results, making it hard for the new paint or stain to adhere to the wood, so we take this cleaning step seriously.
   
• After the wood has dried, our professionals use a fine-grit sandpaper or a mechanical sander to carefully strip off the old varnish or paint. We also perform any minor repairs that need to be done during this stage.
  
  
• We then check every inch of the wood for signs that it needs more care before the surface is sealed with a primer during the next step. 

3.) Priming, Painting & Staining

• Our experts will prime the wood so that the lines are smooth and clean when we paint or stain it with a new color.
  
  
• Finally, we’ll start to see the results of all the precautions we took during the preparation and cleaning stages! The team will apply the new paint or stain you’ve chosen carefully. Whether you choose a timeless white, Cherrywood red, fun mint green, or another color that fits the look you’re going for, our team will ensure an even appearance. 

4.) Finishing

• We’ll re-install your cabinet doors and drawers along with any new hardware (or existing hardware) you’ve chosen.
  
  
• Then, we’ll uncover all the surfaces, clean up, and offer you a tour of your new kitchen!

Differences Between Cabinet Refinishing & Cabinet Refacing

Cabinet refacing and cabinet refinishing are often confused. Some companies do a bad job of explaining the differences between the two, especially if they only offer one of these services.

In simple terms, here are the differences between the two:

• Cabinet refacing: All cabinet doors and the fronts of drawers are permanently removed—and thrown away. Homeowners or investors buy brand-new cabinet doors, fronts of drawers, and a matching veneer or laminate to adhere to the cabinet boxes during the installation process.
  
  
• Cabinet refinishing: Cabinet doors and fronts of drawers are removed carefully so they can be chemically stripped of their current paint or stain, repaired, primed, and repainted or re-stained with a new color.

Is Cabinet Refinishing Worth It?

Refinishing your cabinets offers the best value for your money when compared to replacing or refacing. 

During the planning stages of renovating a kitchen, many homeowners and investors decide that buying and installing brand-new cabinet materials isn't worth the trouble and cost.

Refinishing is the only kitchen cabinet remodeling process that makes it possible for a property owner to enjoy the look and feel of a brand-new kitchen without having to pay for one.

Also, since most projects can be completed in a few days, refinishing cabinets helps investors who are short on time get a property ready for renters again as soon as possible.

Request a Free Estimate for Cabinet Refinishing in New Jersey

If you’re researching different kitchen cabinet options for your remodel, we’d be happy to answer any questions you have and give you a free estimate for our cabinet refinishing services. 

The team at Oceanside Painting & Refinishing is proud to be known as the cabinet refinishing experts that homeowners in the Garden State can trust for quality craftsmanship. 

You can find kitchen cabinet ideas and inspiration along with samples of our work on our Instagram. 

Call 732-818-0092 or contact us using the quick form below to set up an in-person estimate with members of our team.