Cabinet refinishing: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What cabinet refinishing is

Cabinet refinishing strips or sands the existing cabinet surfaces, repairs damage and applies new stain or paint with a protective topcoat. It refreshes the look of solid cabinets without replacing them, and it works best when the boxes and doors are sound and the wood can take a new finish.

Signs you need it

  • The stain has worn through near the handles, the hinges and the doors, leaving bare wood or dark marks
  • The old finish is cracked, peeling or sticky from cooking grease
  • The cabinet style is solid and well built, and you want a new color or a wood tone without new boxes
  • The wood has dings, small scratches or old repairs that show under the current finish
  • The finish is yellowed or dull, and cleaning does not bring back the original look

What the pro does

  • Remove the doors, drawer fronts and hardware, and label each piece so it goes back to the right place
  • Strip or sand the old finish to the bare wood, using a chemical stripper or sanding in the grain direction
  • Repair dings, gaps and old damage with wood filler, then sand the repairs smooth and clean the dust
  • Apply the stain or the bonding primer, then the topcoat, following the product's cure times between coats
  • Sand lightly between coats if the product calls for it, and finish the edges and the inside surfaces
  • Rehang the doors and drawer fronts, adjust the hinges and reinstall the hardware

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of doors, drawer fronts and boxes, and whether the inside of the cabinets is refinished
  • Wood species and grain, since some woods take stain unevenly and need a conditioner
  • The finish type, whether stain, paint or clear topcoat, and how many coats it needs
  • The condition of the surfaces and how much damage must be repaired before the new finish
  • Stripping versus sanding, since stripping adds steps and cleanup
  • Dust and ventilation control in the work area, and whether the job is done on site or in a shop

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of doors, drawer fronts and boxes listed, with interior surfaces noted
  • Stripping or sanding method named, and the products used for each step
  • Stain or paint and topcoat products named, with color and sheen
  • Repair steps for dings, gaps and damage, with the filler type
  • Protection plan for countertops, floors and appliances, and the cure time before use

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What wood are the cabinets, and how will the new stain look on that species?
  • Will you strip the old finish or sand it, and why is that method right for these cabinets?
  • What topcoat do you use, and how does it hold up to grease and cleaning?
  • How do you repair dings and gaps so they do not show under the new finish?
  • How long before the doors can be closed and the kitchen used again?
  • Can you show me a kitchen you refinished in a similar wood and color?

Red flags

  • The pro applies stain over the old finish without stripping or sanding it first
  • The pro uses a varnish that yellows on a light cabinet with no mention of the topcoat choice
  • The pro does not test the stain on a hidden area of the wood before the full job
  • The pro says the finish will be ready the same day with no cure time

What you can do yourself

Removing the doors and hardware, labeling everything and cleaning the boxes is a reasonable homeowner job. On cabinets painted before lead paint was banned, do not dry-sand the old paint, since it may contain lead. Stripping and staining cabinets indoors involves chemical strippers and fine dust, so the work should be ventilated and protected, and a homeowner with no experience should consider a pro for the finish coats.

Licenses and permits

Cabinet refinishing commonly does not need a license, but any structural box repair or hookup work requires qualified trades. Check with your state or local licensing agency about the rules that apply to your work.

Cabinet refinishing questions

Can I refinish cabinets that are laminate or veneer?

Veneer can be refinished carefully, but thin veneer may not survive sanding. Laminate needs a different approach, usually a bonding primer and paint. Ask the pro to test a hidden area before deciding.

Should I stain or paint the cabinets?

Stain shows the grain and suits solid wood, while paint hides the grain and suits plain or mixed woods. Ask the pro to show a sample on your cabinet wood before you choose.

How long does a refinish last?

It depends on the topcoat, the use and how the cabinets are cleaned. Ask the pro what topcoat they use and how the cabinets should be cleaned to protect the finish.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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