Transform your kitchen or bathroom at a fraction of the cost of new cabinets. Our professional cabinet refinishing process delivers a factory-smooth finish that looks brand new — typically saving Manitowoc homeowners 70–80% compared to full cabinet replacement.
Outdated cabinets are the #1 thing homeowners want to change about their kitchens. But full replacement runs $15,000–$30,000+ and takes weeks of demolition and installation. Professional cabinet painting delivers a completely updated look for a fraction of the cost and time — with no demolition, no countertop removal, and minimal disruption to your daily routine.
Our most popular service. We transform dated oak, maple, cherry, or thermofoil kitchen cabinets with a smooth, durable painted finish in any color. Whether you want classic white, modern gray, bold navy, or a two-tone design, we deliver showroom-quality results on your existing cabinet boxes, doors, and drawers.
Bathroom vanities take a beating from moisture, steam, and daily use. We use moisture-resistant cabinet paints and sealers specifically designed for bathroom environments, giving your vanity a fresh look that holds up to humidity and splashes.
Entertainment centers, bookshelves, mudroom cubbies, laundry room cabinets, and other built-ins benefit from the same professional refinishing process. We match finishes across all your cabinetry for a cohesive, updated look throughout your home.
New hardware is the finishing touch that completes a cabinet transformation. We can fill old hardware holes, drill new ones, and install your choice of knobs, pulls, and hinges. If your existing hinges are dated, we can advise on modern soft-close options that fit your cabinet style.
Here's how the two options compare for a typical Manitowoc kitchen:
Cost: $2,500 – $7,000
Timeline: 5–8 days
Disruption: Kitchen unavailable for 5–8 days
Demolition: None
Countertops: Stay in place
Result: Updated color and finish on existing layout
Cost: $15,000 – $35,000+
Timeline: 4–8 weeks
Disruption: Major — no kitchen access for weeks
Demolition: Full tearout required
Countertops: Usually need replacement too
Result: New layout and materials possible
Cabinet painting is ideal when your cabinet boxes are structurally sound, your layout works for your needs, and your goal is an updated look rather than a new floor plan. If your cabinets are warped, water-damaged, or you want to completely change your kitchen layout, replacement may be the better investment. During your free estimate, we'll honestly assess whether painting is the right fit for your cabinets.
The difference between a professional cabinet paint job and a DIY attempt comes down to process. Here's our proven method that delivers smooth, chip-resistant results every time.
TSP degreasing removes years of cooking grease, oils, and residue that prevent paint adhesion. This step alone makes or breaks the final result.
All doors, drawers, and hardware are removed and labeled for exact reinstallation. Hinges and pulls are bagged separately.
Every surface is sanded to create mechanical adhesion. Dings, chips, and holes are filled with wood filler and sanded smooth.
Bonding primer is applied to all surfaces. This is critical — it creates the adhesion layer between wood and paint that prevents peeling.
Two coats of cabinet-grade paint applied by brush, roller, or sprayer depending on the surface. Full cure time between coats for maximum hardness.
Doors and drawers are carefully reinstalled with original or new hardware. Hinges are adjusted for perfect alignment.
The #1 reason DIY cabinet paint jobs fail is inadequate preparation. Grease residue from cooking prevents primer from bonding. Skipping sanding means paint can peel off in sheets. Using wall paint instead of cabinet-grade paint results in a soft finish that shows every fingerprint and scratch. Our process addresses every one of these failure points before the first brush stroke.
We use premium cabinet-grade paints — typically Sherwin-Williams Gallery Series or Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane. These are self-leveling, meaning brush and roller marks flow out to create a smooth, factory-like surface. They cure to a hard, washable finish that resists chipping, yellowing, and moisture.
Satin finish is our standard recommendation for cabinets — it has a subtle sheen that's easy to clean while hiding minor imperfections. Semi-gloss is also popular for a slightly more polished look and maximum cleanability. We don't recommend flat or matte finishes for cabinets because they show every fingerprint and are harder to clean.
The most requested cabinet colors in Manitowoc right now are classic white (still the #1 choice), warm white/cream (popular in traditional homes), light gray (modern and versatile), navy blue (bold statement for islands or lowers), sage/olive green (trending for 2025–2026), and black (dramatic, best for islands or small kitchens as an accent). Two-tone kitchens — white uppers with a contrasting color on lower cabinets and the island — continue to be one of the most popular requests. We offer free color consultation to help you choose.
Kitchen cabinet painting typically costs $2,500–$7,000 depending on kitchen size, cabinet condition, and finish type. A standard 10x10 kitchen averages $3,500–$5,000. This is 70–80% less than full cabinet replacement, which runs $15,000–$35,000+. We provide free, detailed estimates with transparent pricing.
Most kitchen cabinet painting projects take 5–8 business days from start to finish. This includes cleaning, sanding, priming, two coats of finish paint, and proper cure time between coats. Your kitchen will not be usable during this period — all doors, drawers, and hardware are removed, and surfaces need uninterrupted time to cure. We recommend setting up a temporary cooking station before we start.
Yes — when done with the right products and process. We use cabinet-grade alkyd or acrylic paints (Sherwin-Williams Gallery Series, Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane) designed specifically for high-wear surfaces. Our multi-step process of degreasing, sanding, bonding primer, and two finish coats creates a hard, smooth surface that resists chipping, moisture, and daily kitchen use for 10+ years.
Absolutely — this is the majority of our cabinet work. Converting dark stained oak, maple, or cherry cabinets to a painted finish is our specialty. The keys are thorough degreasing, proper sanding to create adhesion, and a high-quality bonding primer that seals the wood and prevents tannin bleed-through (especially important on oak and cherry).
White and off-white are still the #1 request, followed by warm gray, navy blue, sage green, and black (typically for islands). Two-tone kitchens — white uppers with a contrasting color on lowers — are very popular right now. We offer free color consultation and can bring sample boards to your home so you can see colors against your countertops and flooring.
We offer interior painting as an optional add-on. Most clients paint door fronts, drawer fronts, and the visible cabinet frame while leaving interiors unpainted to save cost. If you'd like interiors done as well, we include it in your estimate — it typically adds 15–20% to the total project cost.
No — your kitchen will be out of commission for the duration of the project, typically 5–8 business days. All cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware are removed, and painted surfaces need uninterrupted time to cure between coats. We strongly recommend setting up a temporary cooking area in another room — a folding table with a microwave, coffee maker, and toaster oven works well. We'll give you a specific timeline during your free estimate so you can stock up and plan meals ahead of time.
Yes. We can fill old hardware holes, drill new ones to your specifications, and install new knobs, pulls, and hinges. If you're not sure what hardware to choose, we can recommend styles and finishes that complement your new cabinet color. Hardware updating is included in our service at material cost only — no additional labor charge.
Get a free, no-obligation estimate for cabinet painting in Manitowoc. See what new cabinets look like — without the new cabinet price tag.