A factory finish on your existing cabinets — without replacing them.
New cabinets cost tens of thousands of dollars. Cabinet refinishing by Signature Painting delivers the same visual transformation for a fraction of the price — with a spray-applied finish that brush-and-roller simply can't match.
What separates a professional refinish from a DIY repaint
The quality of a cabinet refinish lives and dies in the prep work and the application method. Here's what we bring to every project.
Proper degreasing and prep
Kitchen cabinets accumulate years of grease, cooking residue, and cleaning product buildup. Paint won't bond to a contaminated surface — so we degrease thoroughly before anything else. Sanding and scuffing follows to ensure the primer has something to grip.
Bonding primer on every surface
A bonding primer is what makes a cabinet refinish last. It creates the adhesion layer between the cabinet substrate — whether that's wood, MDF, or thermofoil — and the topcoat. Skipping or skimping on primer is the most common reason refinishes peel within a year.
Professional spray application
We spray all door and drawer fronts off the cabinet in a controlled environment. Spray application lays down a smooth, even finish with no brush marks, lap lines, or roller texture — the same way cabinet manufacturers finish new cabinetry at the factory.
Full reinstallation and inspection
Every door and drawer front is labeled before removal so it goes back exactly where it came from. After reinstallation we do a full inspection — checking alignment, clearances, and finish consistency — before calling the project complete.
What We Refinish
Kitchen, bathroom, and built-in cabinetry
If it has a painted or paintable surface, we can refinish it — including cabinets you might assume can't be painted.
Kitchen Cabinets
Upper and lower cabinets, island faces, and pantry units — the highest-impact transformation in the house
Bathroom Vanities
Single and double vanities refinished to match or complement updated hardware and fixtures
Laundry Room Cabinets
Often overlooked — a fresh finish makes utility spaces feel intentional rather than afterthought
Built-In Shelving
Bookcases, entertainment units, and mudroom built-ins refinished to match or contrast surrounding walls
Wood Cabinets
Solid wood and wood veneer — prepped, primed, and finished for full color coverage or a refreshed stain look
MDF & Laminate
Requires a bonding primer formulated for non-wood substrates — we use the right product for the material
Previously Painted Cabinets
Brush-painted or worn cabinets restored to a smooth, spray-applied finish that looks like new
Cabinet Boxes & Interiors
Interior cabinet boxes painted to match door fronts for a clean, cohesive look throughout
How It Works
From your existing cabinets to a factory finish
Cabinet refinishing typically takes two to three days depending on the size of the kitchen or bathroom. Here's what the process looks like.
1 - Free in-home assessment
We come to your home, assess the cabinet condition and substrate, and provide a clear written quote. We'll also walk through color and finish options so you know exactly what the result will look like.
2 - Door and drawer removal
All doors, drawer fronts, and hardware are removed and labeled. Cabinet boxes are masked off and protected. We set up a clean spray area for the door and drawer fronts.
3 - Cleaning and surface prep
Every surface is degreased, cleaned, and lightly sanded or scuffed. This is the step most DIY refinishes skip — and why they fail. We don't move on until the surface is genuinely ready for primer.
4 - Primer coat
A bonding primer is applied to all surfaces — doors, drawer fronts, and cabinet boxes. Full dry time before topcoats go on. No shortcuts here.
5 - Spray finish coats
Two finish coats are sprayed on doors and drawer fronts for a smooth, even, brush-mark-free result. Cabinet boxes are finished by brush and roller with a finish matched to the sprayed surfaces.
6 - Reinstallation and walkthrough
Every door and drawer front goes back exactly where it came from. Hardware is reinstalled, alignment is checked, and we walk through the finished kitchen or bathroom with you before we leave.
Refinish vs. replace
Why refinishing is the smarter choice for most Chicago kitchens
A full kitchen cabinet replacement in the Chicago area typically runs $15,000 to $40,000 or more depending on layout and material. Cabinet refinishing delivers the same color change and visual refresh for a fraction of that — with zero demo, no contractor coordination, and no weeks of your kitchen out of commission.
If your cabinet boxes are solid and the doors are in good condition, refinishing is the right call. We'll tell you honestly during the estimate if replacement makes more sense.
Fraction of the cost
Cabinet refinishing typically costs 15–25% of full replacement — freeing up budget for hardware, countertops, or other updates.
2–3 days, not weeks
No demo, no new cabinetry lead times, no contractor scheduling. Most refinishing projects are complete in two to three days.
Same visual impact
Color is what transforms a kitchen. A refinish gives you the color change you're after with the same factory-quality finish as new cabinetry.
No waste
Keeping your existing cabinetry out of a landfill is the more sustainable choice — and it doesn't require any compromise on the result.
Where We Work
Cabinet refinishing near Morton Grove, Skokie, Evanston & throughout Chicago
We serve homeowners throughout the Chicago metro area from our base in Morton Grove, IL.
Evanston
Glenview
Lake Forest
Park Ridge
Wilmette
Northbrook
Winnetka
Glencoe
Highland Park
Chicago
Not sure if we serve your area? Give us a call at (773) 704-1195 and we'll let you know right away.
Ready to talk about your project?
We come to your home, take a thorough look at the scope of work, and give you a clear, itemized quote with no hidden fees. No pressure, no obligation.
