Learn about our Cabinet Refinishing Process

At Martinez Custom Finishing, cabinet refinishing is not a quick makeover—it’s a carefully crafted transformation. We approach every project with intention, using a proven, multi-step process designed to create a refined, long-lasting finish that truly elevates your home.

For homeowners who value quality, longevity, and craftsmanship, refinishing is about more than changing the look of your cabinets—it’s about trusting experienced professionals to handle one of the most visible features of your home with care, precision, and respect for the space.

Here’s a closer look at our process:

1. Preparation: Setting the Stage for Perfection

We begin by carefully removing cabinet doors and hardware, thoroughly cleaning all surfaces to remove grease and debris, and masking off surrounding areas to protect your home. For cabinet bodies, we create an on-site spray booth complete with air-extractors and air scrubbers to ensure a dust-free environment. Cabinet doors and drawer faces are taken to our off-site spray shop, where we can apply finishes in a controlled setting, ensuring flawless results. This preparation ensures a clean, smooth foundation for the refinishing process and protects your home throughout the project.

2. Two Coats of Primer with Precision Sanding

Each cabinet surface—both the bodies on-site and the doors at our off-site shop—receives two coats of premium primer, with sanding between each coat. This step ensures smoothness and creates an optimal surface for the final finishes to adhere properly. Sanding between primer applications is a key detail that takes time but ensures the longevity and quality of the finish.

3. 2K Wood Coatings for a Luxurious Finish

Once your cabinets are fully prepared, we apply two coats of a professional 2-component wood coating, selected for its exceptional durability and refined, furniture-quality appearance. Cabinet frames are carefully sprayed on-site in a controlled spray environment, while doors and drawer fronts are finished in our dedicated shop to ensure maximum consistency and precision.

Between each coat, surfaces are lightly sanded by hand—an intentional step that creates a smooth, flawless finish you can see and feel. The result is cabinetry that not only looks beautiful on day one, but is designed to withstand daily use and maintain its appearance for years to come.

4. Hardware Installation or Customization

Whether you choose to keep your existing hardware, select new pieces, or upgrade to soft-close hinges, we ensure everything is installed with precision and care. Reused hardware is thoughtfully reinstalled so doors and drawers are properly aligned and function smoothly.

For homeowners updating their hardware—or opting for soft-close hinges—we carefully fill previous holes and create new ones as needed to ensure a clean, seamless fit. This attention to detail allows your refinished cabinets to feel cohesive, polished, and thoughtfully finished—both visually and functionally.

5. Reassembly and Quality Assurance

After the finishing process is complete, we carefully reassemble your cabinets, reinstall hardware, and complete a final inspection to ensure every detail meets our standards. Our focus at this stage is proper alignment, smooth operation, and consistency throughout the space.

The result is cabinetry that feels refreshed, well-finished, and built to hold up to everyday use—without calling attention to the process itself.

A Commitment to Excellence

Our process is intentionally detailed, because the quality of the final result depends on every step along the way. From setting up a controlled spray environment in your home to finishing doors and drawers in our off-site shop, each phase is handled with care, precision, and respect for your space.

This approach ensures cabinetry that looks refined, functions smoothly, and holds up beautifully over time—without shortcuts.

Move Forward with Confidence

If you’re considering cabinet refinishing, we hope this guide has provided clarity around what the process involves and the level of craftsmanship we bring to every project. At Martinez Custom Finishing, our goal is simple: to deliver work that feels thoughtful, well executed, and aligned with your home.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your project, we welcome the conversation.

hello@martinezfinishing.com