What is the difference between cabinet painting and cabinet refinishing?

Cabinet painting typically involves cleaning, light sanding, and applying a painted finish over an existing surface. Cabinet refinishing is a more extensive process that may include stripping old finishes through sanding, heat guns, or chemical strippers, repairing damaged areas, and applying primers, wood conditioners, stains, paints, or protective clear coats. Cabinet refinishing generally produces a more durable, factory-like finish that can last for many years.

Can you paint over varnished cabinets?

Yes, varnished cabinets can be painted, but proper preparation is essential. Cabinets should be thoroughly cleaned, sanded, and primed with an appropriate bonding primer before paint is applied. Complete removal of the existing finish is not usually necessary when painting rather than staining. Skipping preparation steps can lead to peeling, chipping, or adhesion problems.

Is it better to replace cabinets or refinish them?

In many cases, refinishing offers better value than replacement. Older cabinets are often made from solid wood and may be expensive to replace with comparable materials today. If cabinets are structurally sound and the existing kitchen layout works well, refinishing can dramatically improve appearance at a fraction of the cost of replacement. While cabinet refinishing often ranges from $2,000 to $8,000, full cabinet replacement can easily cost $10,000 to $30,000 or more. Refinishing also allows homeowners to update hardware, add decorative details, and transform the appearance of their kitchen without a full remodel.

Cabinet Painting & Refinishing in Jacksonville, FL

Transform Your Cabinets Without the Cost of Replacement

Whether you're searching for professional cabinet painting Jacksonville to refresh a dated kitchen or need full cabinet refinishing in Jacksonville to restore worn or damaged surfaces, Paint It Forward delivers a flawless result at a fraction of replacement cost!

Our expert services can dramatically improve the appearance of your space, with projects typically completed in just 4 to 7 days.

Why do Jacksonville Homeowners Choose Paint It Forward, LLC?

Fast Turnaround

Most projects take just 4 to 7 days, minimizing disruption to your home and lifestyle. We meticulously plan and execute each step, ensuring quality results within a short timeframe.

Expert Craftsmanship

With a keen eye for detail and precision, we handle every aspect of the refinishing process—from sanding and priming to applying the final coat of paint. Your cabinets will look brand new, with a smooth, flawless finish that adds value to your home.

Customized Solutions

Every home is unique, and we take pride in offering customized solutions to meet your specific style and needs. Whether you want a classic white finish or a bold new color, we work closely with you to achieve the perfect look for your space.

Local Knowledge

Based in Jacksonville, we understand the specific needs of homes in Florida’s climate. We use products that are resistant to humidity and coastal conditions, ensuring your cabinets stand the test of time.

Cabinet Painting & Refinishing in Jacksonville & Throughout NE Florida

We are based in Jacksonville and provide expert cabinet refinishing services in Jacksonville and throughout northeast Florida, including Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, Callahan, Middleburg, Starke, Lawtey, Maxville, Macclenny, Orange Park, and other surrounding areas.

Our Cabinet Refinishing Process - Step by Step

Day 1-2

Preparation and planning we start by carefully removing all cabinet doors and hardware, thoroughly cleaning and sanding each surface to ensure a smooth foundation for the new finish.

Day 2-3

Priming for perfection next, we apply a high-quality primer to create a durable base, allowing the new paint to adhere seamlessly. We take extra care to ensure an even coat, crucial for achieving a professional look.

Day 3-5

Precision painting we apply one or more coats of premium cabinet paint, using a fine finish, HVLP sprayer. Our expertise ensures a beautiful, factory-quality finish that will last for years.

Day 4-7

Reassembly and final touches once the paint has dried and cured, we reassemble your cabinets, install new or cleaned hardware, and make sure every detail meets your satisfaction.

BEFORE

AFTER

DURING

Cabinet Painting vs Refinishing vs Refacing - What's the Difference?

These terms are sometimes used interchangeably by homeowners to mean "make my cabinets look better" but they each have specific industry meanings. Cabinet painting is adding a clean layer of paint of your cabinets, cabinet refinishing is more restorative, bringing the existing cabinets back to a like-new condition, and cabinet refacing means entirely replacing the cabinet door and drawer fronts. In most cases, we recommend refinishing for high-quality results at a more affordable price.

Cabinet Painting

$5-$10 per sq ft
Pre-Cleaned
Little to no sanding
Primer may or may not be applied
Damages and imperfections not generally repaired
You can not alter the style of your doors
Endless color options

Cabinet Refacing

$80-/$250 per door
Cleaning not required
Any work to the body of the cabinets may, and often is an additional charge.
You can change the style of your doors
Limited color options

Cabinet Refinishing

$9-$18 per sq ft.
Cleaning is done several times throughout the process.
Thorough sanding of all surfaces.
Extreme bonding primer is applied to painted cabinets, wood conditioner is applied stained cabinets
Strain blocking primer used, if needed for painted cabinets.
Damages and imperfections are repaired
You can alter the style of your doors by adding trim details, if desired, for an additional fee.
Endless color options.

What Jacksonville Homeowners Are Saying

"Our kitchen looks brand new thanks to Paint it Forward. The process was quick and seamless, and the final result is stunning. Highly recommend for anyone looking to update their cabinets!"- James Hilcrest

"I was amazed at how quickly the job was done without sacrificing quality. Paint it Forward knew exactly what my kitchen needed and delivered beyond my expectations." - Shannon Diaz

"Paint It Forward knocked it out of the park! A stellar experience from design and color consultation to a beautiful cabinet refinishing that bred new life into our kitchen for years to come! They are reliable, detail-oriented, and thoroughly professional - honestly rare traits these days. We look forward to collaborating many future projects with Tina & team!" - Gary Sanders

Frequently Asked Questions

Cabinet refinishing costs depend on the size of the kitchen, the condition of the cabinets, and the type of refinishing being performed. Projects may involve repainting existing cabinets, converting stained wood cabinets to a painted finish, or completely refinishing the surface with new stains or coatings. In many cases, homeowners can expect cabinet refinishing projects to range from approximately $2,000 to $8,000, making it a cost-effective alternative to replacement.

Cabinet painting involves minimal prepertions, such as cleaning and maybe a light sanding, to the existing surface before applying a painted finish.

Cabinet refinishing involves stripping the old finish to a varying degree by assistance of thorough sanding, heat guns, or chemical strippers. There is often additional time taken to repair any exising damges to the cabinets. Primers, wood conditioners, or other pre-finish surface treatments are usually applied, as well before a finish of paint or stain. For extra protection, a durable clear top coat may also be applied, if desired. The best approach depends on the cabinet material, current finish, and desired result. Unlike cabinets painting, cabinet refinishing creates a durable factory-like finish that will last years to come.

Most cabinet refinishing projects take approximately five to seven days.

Proper preparation, priming, drying, and curing are critical to achieving a durable finish. While some companies may advertise faster turnaround times, rushing the process can compromise adhesion and long-term durability.

Yes, but proper preparation is essential.

Varnished cabinets must be cleaned, sanded, and primed with the appropriate bonding primer before paint is applied. Since the cabinets are being painted and not re-stained the complete removial of the previous finish is not necessary to achieve a high quality factory-like finish. However, skipping the basic surface preparation steps can lead to peeling, chipping, or adhesion problems later on.

In many cases, refinishing is the better value.

Older cabinets are often constructed from solid wood, which can be difficult and expensive to replace with comparable materials today. If your cabinets are structurally sound and you are happy with the layout of your kitchen, refinishing can dramatically improve their appearance for a fraction of the cost of replacement.

While cabinet refinishing often falls between $2,000 and $8,000, a full cabinet replacement can easily range from $10,000 to $30,000 or more. Refinishing also allows homeowners to update hardware, add decorative details, and completely transform the look of their kitchen without the expense of a full remodel.

Get a Free Cabinet Refinishing Estimate!

Ready to refresh your cabinets? Contact us today for a free quote and consultation. We’ll discuss your vision, provide expert advice, and create a plan that suits your timeline and budget. Let us bring new life to your space with our professional cabinet refinishing services in Jacksonville, Florida.

Transform your kitchen or bathroom in just 4 to 7 days with Paint it Forward, LLC, Jacksonville’s trusted cabinet refinishing expert!