Refinishing vs. painting: what’s the difference?

People use the words interchangeably, and most “refinishing” jobs end in a painted finish. The difference is the amount of repair and surface work first. A refinishing project typically includes:

• Stripping or heavy sanding of failed clear coat, peeling paint or bubbling thermofoil
• Repairing water-swollen MDF around the sink and dishwasher
• Filling chips, dents and old hardware holes
• Grain filling oak for a smooth modern look
• Re-gluing loose joints, replacing broken hinges and drawer glides

Then the same sprayed bonding primer and cabinet enamel finish as our cabinet painting service. If you want to keep a stained wood look, we can also re-stain and clear coat in some cases; ask.

Common refinishing jobs

• Peeling thermofoil doors in 2000s builder kitchens (very common in Indian Trail and Stallings). Doors are stripped and painted or replaced.
• Worn edges and greasy build-up on stained maple or cherry near the range and handles.
• Yellowed white cabinets from old oil-based paint. Refinished in a non-yellowing waterborne enamel.
• Bathroom vanities with water damage at the toe kick.
• Previous DIY paint jobs that chipped: stripped back, properly primed, sprayed.

Cost

Refinishing is priced like painting plus the repair time: usually $4,000–$9,500 for a kitchen depending on damage, or from about $700 for a bathroom vanity. See the cost guide. If the doors are beyond saving, refacing with new doors may be the smarter spend, and we’ll tell you.

Frequently asked questions

Can water-damaged cabinets be refinished?

Usually. Swollen MDF at the sink base can be cut back, filled and sealed; if the panel is structurally gone we replace it before refinishing.

Can you refinish cabinets to a stain instead of paint?

Sometimes, if the existing wood is solid and the old finish can be fully removed. Painting is far more predictable and usually what we recommend.

How long does refinishing take?

5–8 working days for a kitchen because of the extra repair and cure time.