Don't replace your outdated cabinets—transform them. We provide flawless, durable, factory-finish cabinet painting using HVLP spray technology and KCMA-approved enamels.
A complete kitchen remodel can easily cost between $30,000 and $60,000, and a significant portion of that budget goes directly toward purchasing new cabinet boxes. However, if your existing cabinets are made of solid wood (like the golden oak or maple popular in the 1990s and 2000s) and are structurally sound, tearing them out is an unnecessary waste.
Cabinet refinishing allows you to completely modernize your kitchen's aesthetic for a fraction of the cost. At Coles Painting, we don't just "paint" your cabinets; we apply a specialized, multi-step chemical and mechanical process that bonds a durable, factory-like enamel directly to your wood, hiding heavy wood grains and updating the look entirely.
Achieving a smooth, chip-resistant finish that rivals brand-new cabinetry requires strict adherence to technical preparation protocols.
We begin by carefully removing all doors, drawer fronts, and hardware, labeling them to ensure perfect reinstallation. Next, we mask off your entire kitchen—including floors, countertops, appliances, and ceilings—creating a sealed "spray booth" right in your home to protect your property from overspray.
Kitchen cabinets accumulate years of invisible cooking oils and hand oils. Paint will not stick to grease. We scrub every surface with an industrial degreaser, followed by a liquid deglosser to break down the original clear coat.
We mechanically sand all surfaces using HEPA-filtered dustless vacuums to scuff the wood for mechanical adhesion. If you have deep-grained oak, we offer optional grain-filling services to achieve a glass-smooth modern look.
We apply a high-adhesion, stain-blocking primer to prevent tannin bleed-through. After a fine sanding, we use advanced HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) sprayers to apply multiple coats of premium waterborne alkyd enamel, resulting in a flawless, brush-stroke-free finish.
We allow the enamels to properly flash and cure. Finally, we unmask the kitchen, reinstall your doors and drawers, install any new hardware you've chosen, and perform a rigorous final walkthrough to ensure perfection.
Many "discount" painters will attempt to roll or brush your kitchen cabinets using standard wall paints. This is a critical error. Wall paint is soft and will peel off cabinets within months. Furthermore, brushes leave heavy, unsightly streaks that destroy the modern aesthetic of the kitchen.
At Coles Painting, we utilize HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) sprayers specifically calibrated for woodworking. Combined with specialized urethane or waterborne alkyd enamels that self-level as they dry, our technique guarantees a perfectly smooth, hard-shell finish that meets KCMA (Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association) standards.
"We had honey-oak cabinets from 1998 that made our whole house look dark and dated. We got quotes for new cabinets that were astronomical. Coles Painting came in, set up a literal spray booth in our kitchen, and sprayed them a bright, modern white. The finish is unbelievably smooth—there isn't a single brush stroke. They look brand new. Best money we spent on our remodel."
— Michael & Sarah K., Recent Clients
Cabinet painting is the most difficult and unforgiving painting task in a home. Skipping the degreasing step, using cheap hardware store primer, or applying latex wall paint will result in a sticky, tacky finish that easily chips when fingernails or rings hit the doors. Once bad paint is applied to cabinets, fixing it often costs more than the original job because it all must be chemically stripped. Protect your investment by hiring a professional.
Not all painters are equipped to handle fine cabinetry. Here is why our specialized process leads the industry in Seattle and Tacoma.
| Service Feature | Coles Refinishing | Generic Painters |
|---|---|---|
| Application Method | HVLP Fine Finish Sprayers | Roller and Brush (Leaves streaks) |
| Prep Quality | Deep Degrease & Sanding | Light wipe down (Paint will peel) |
| Paint Material | KCMA-Approved Cabinet Enamels | Standard Latex House Paint |
| Home Protection | Full Kitchen Spray Booth Masking | Basic drop cloths |
| Curing Time | Rapid Flash/Hard Shell Cure | Remains tacky for weeks |
No. Unlike DIY painting, our factory-finish process uses industrial-grade degreasers to remove bond-breaking oils, high-adhesion bonding primers, and KCMA-approved waterborne alkyd enamels. When properly cured, this finish resists chipping, scratching, and daily wear-and-tear just like brand-new high-end cabinetry.
Typically, a full kitchen cabinet refinishing project takes 4 to 6 days. We remove your doors and drawer fronts to spray them in a controlled environment, and mask off your kitchen to paint the cabinet frames on-site. You will still have access to your refrigerator and oven most evenings after we pack up.
You do not need to empty the shelves inside your cabinets unless we are explicitly contracted to paint the interiors (which is optional and rare). However, you will need to empty all the drawers, as we must remove the drawer faces or the entire drawer box to finish them properly.
Yes. Oak has a very deep, open grain. If you just paint over it, the color will change but you will still see the grain texture. For clients wanting a perfectly smooth, modern look, we offer an optional grain-filling service where we trowel specialized wood filler into the pores, sand it smooth, and then prime and spray.
Get a flawless kitchen transformation for a fraction of a remodel's cost.
(253) 478-2745Fast, Free Virtual Quotes
We take immense pride in elevating the kitchens and bathrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Whether you have an estate in Seattle or a waterfront property in Tacoma, Coles Painting brings industrial-grade spray technology, premium KCMA-approved enamels, and unmatched white-glove customer care to every single project.