Cabinet Refinishing in York County, ME: Transform Your Kitchen Without Replacing It
Full kitchen cabinet replacement costs $15,000 to $30,000 or more. Professional cabinet refinishing delivers the same visual impact at a fraction of that cost. Putnam Coastal Painting refinishes kitchen and bathroom cabinets across York County and southern Cumberland County, Maine, using durable spray-applied finishes that look and feel indistinguishable from factory-new cabinetry.
This is Meghan Martinez’s specialty. She has refinished hundreds of cabinets across coastal Maine and leads every refinishing project personally.
Cabinet Refinishing vs. Replacement: The Honest Comparison
- Refinishing: $1,500 to $5,000 for a full kitchen depending on cabinet count and condition. Same doors, same boxes, new finish.
- Refacing: $4,000 to $12,000. New door fronts and veneers, same box frames. More expensive than refinishing with less durability than solid new cabinetry.
- Full replacement: $15,000 to $30,000+. New everything. Requires demolition, new installation, and weeks without a usable kitchen.
Refinishing delivers 80 to 90 percent of the visual impact of full replacement for 10 to 20 percent of the cost. If your cabinet boxes are structurally sound and the layout works for you, refinishing is almost always the smarter financial decision.
What We Use: The Finish That Makes It Last
The single biggest concern homeowners have about cabinet refinishing is durability. Will painted cabinets hold up in a kitchen? The answer depends entirely on the finish product used.
We use Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel and Benjamin Moore Advance on cabinet projects. Both are waterborne alkyd formulas specifically engineered for cabinetry: they cure to a hard, impact-resistant surface that handles heat, steam, grease, and daily cleaning without chipping or yellowing. These are not standard wall paints. They are purpose-built cabinet finishes.
Our Process: Step by Step
Step 1: Removal
All doors and drawer fronts are removed, labeled, and transported to our controlled finishing environment. Cabinet hardware is removed and labeled. Your kitchen remains partially usable throughout the project.
Step 2: Cleaning and Degreasing
Every surface is cleaned with a professional degreaser to remove cooking oil, grease, and surface contamination. This is a critical step. Paint will not adhere to contaminated surfaces regardless of product quality.
Step 3: Sanding and Repair
All surfaces are sanded to create a mechanical bond for the primer. Minor damage, holes, and worn edges are repaired and filled. We use Festool dust free sanding equipment throughout.
Step 4: Primer Application
A bonding primer is spray-applied to all surfaces in our controlled environment. Spray application delivers a smoother, more even finish than brushwork and eliminates brush marks entirely.
Step 5: Two Coat Finish Application
Two coats of the specified finish enamel are spray-applied with light sanding between coats. The result is a consistent, smooth factory-quality surface on both sides of every door and drawer front.
Step 6: Reinstallation
Doors are rehung, drawer fronts reinstalled, and hardware refitted. We do a final inspection pass on every surface before signing off. Most kitchens are fully reinstalled within five to seven working days of start.
For more information about our services or to book an estimate, call us at (207) 890 7305 or complete the form on our contact page and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
What Cabinets Are Good Candidates, and What Are Not
We will tell you honestly during your free estimate if your cabinets are a good candidate for refinishing. Not everything is.
Good candidates: Solid wood, MDF, and quality plywood construction with intact box frames. Doors and fronts in good structural condition even if the finish is dated, worn, or the wrong color.
Not ideal candidates: Severely water-damaged or delaminating boxes. Low-quality thermofoil or vinyl wrap that will not bond to primer. Cabinet faces with significant structural damage that prep cannot fix. In these cases, we say so before we start.
Our Promise to You
Every project ends with a final walkthrough. You do not sign off until you are completely satisfied. If something is not right, we fix it on the spot before we leave.
The quote we give you is the price you pay. Licensed and insured. PCA accredited. Over 10 years serving York County homeowners. We show up when we say we will, do what we say we will do, and leave your home cleaner than we found it.
“What we do in secret will always come to light.” That is the standard we hold ourselves to on every job.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does cabinet refinishing take?
Most kitchen cabinet projects take five to seven working days from door removal to final reinstallation. During this time your kitchen remains partially usable. Bathroom vanity projects typically take two to three days.
Will my refinished cabinets look painted, or will they look like new wood?
Spray-applied cabinet finish in a solid color will look smooth and consistent, similar to factory-painted cabinetry. If your cabinets have wood grain that shows through the original finish and you want to keep it, we discuss staining options during the consultation. Most customers choosing refinishing are going to a solid color.
Can you refinish just the doors, or do you do the full cabinet boxes too?
We can do doors and drawer fronts only, or include the face frames and visible box sides. Full scope is discussed and itemized in your written estimate before we start. Most customers do doors, fronts, and face frames.
How durable are refinished cabinets in a kitchen environment?
Very durable when the right product is used. We use Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel and Benjamin Moore Advance, both formulated for cabinet-level durability. These finishes handle heat, steam, grease, and daily cleaning without chipping or yellowing. The prep quality matters as much as the product.
What colors are available?
Any color from the Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, or Johnson Paint color systems. We offer a free color consultation and bring samples to your home. Popular choices in York County right now are warm whites, navy blue, sage green, and charcoal, but we match whatever you have in mind.
What happens if I am not happy with the result?
Every project ends with a final walkthrough. You do not sign off until you are fully satisfied. If something is not right, we address it on the spot before we leave. Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction on every job.
How do I get a cabinet estimate?
Call us at (207) 890-7305 or request a free estimate online. We visit your home, assess your cabinets, and provide a detailed written quote within 48 hours. No pressure, no obligation.
