Give Your Kitchen a New Look Without Replacing Your Cabinets
Cabinets have a funny way of making an entire kitchen look outdated. The good news? In many cases, the cabinets themselves are perfectly fine. It’s often the finish, color, or door style that makes the room feel tired.
At Just Add Paint, we specialize in professional cabinet refinishing and cabinet painting for homeowners throughout Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Harrisburg, Carlisle, and surrounding Central Pennsylvania communities. Our cabinet refinishing process can transform an existing kitchen for a fraction of the cost of a full cabinet replacement while delivering a durable, factory-like finish designed to hold up to everyday life.
Whether you’re looking for a bright white kitchen, a dramatic dark island, warm greige cabinets, or a complete cabinet door replacement project, our team can help.
What Is Cabinet Refinishing?
Cabinet refinishing is the process of professionally cleaning, preparing, repairing, priming, and refinishing your existing cabinets with high-performance cabinet coatings.
Unlike painting walls, cabinet refinishing requires specialized products, equipment, and techniques to create a smooth, durable finish that resists scratches, stains, and everyday wear.
At Just Add Paint, we use industrial-grade, KCMA-Rated cabinet coatings and a process developed through refinishing more than 300 sets of kitchen cabinets throughout Central PA.
Why Homeowners Choose Cabinet Refinishing Instead of Replacement
Many kitchens have cabinet boxes that are structurally sound but cosmetically outdated.
Cabinet refinishing allows homeowners to:
- Save thousands compared to cabinet replacement
- Avoid lengthy kitchen remodel timelines
- Update colors and finishes
- Improve home value
- Reduce waste by reusing existing cabinets
- Upgrade hinges and hardware
- Replace outdated doors while keeping existing cabinet boxes
- Create a completely different look without tearing apart the kitchen
For many homes, cabinet refinishing delivers the biggest visual impact per dollar spent.
Our Cabinet Refinishing Process
A durable finish starts long before the first coat of paint.
Step 1: Consultation and Design
Every project begins with a consultation to discuss:
- Existing cabinet condition
- Desired colors
- Door styles
- Hardware options
- Budget considerations
- Timeline expectations
If needed, we can also provide color guidance and digital mockups to help visualize the finished project.
Step 2: Removal and Labeling
Cabinet doors and drawer fronts are carefully removed, labeled, and transported to our spray facility.
This allows us to create a smoother, cleaner finish than can typically be achieved entirely inside the home.
Step 3: Cleaning and Surface Preparation
Years of cooking oils, waxes, and household contaminants are removed.
Cabinets are then prepared using methods appropriate for the existing finish and condition.
Proper preparation is one of the most important factors in long-term durability.
Step 4: Repairs and Upgrades
Depending on the project, we may:
- Fill minor damage
- Repair dents
- Replace hinges
- Install soft-close hardware
- Replace drawer fronts
- Replace cabinet doors
- Modify cabinet layouts
Step 5: Priming
We apply professional, KCMA-rated cabinet primers designed specifically for adhesion, stain-blocking, and durability.
This creates the foundation for the finish coats that follow.
Step 6: Professional Finishing
Doors and drawer fronts are spray-finished in our controlled environment using premium cabinet coatings (typically Milesi 1K/2K KCMA-rated topcoats).
Cabinet boxes are finished on-site using the approach that best balances finish quality, efficiency, and homeowner comfort.
Read more about Milesi 1K/2K industrial cabinet coating https://www.justaddpaint.net/what-paint-will-we-use-on-your-cabinets-milesi
Step 7: Reinstallation and Final Inspection
After curing, doors and drawers are reinstalled, adjusted, and inspected.
The result is a transformed kitchen designed to look beautiful and perform well for years.
Cabinet Colors We Frequently See in Central PA
Popular cabinet colors continue to evolve, but several remain favorites among homeowners:
White Cabinets
Classic, bright, and timeless.
Popular examples include:
- Sherwin-Williams Alabaster
- Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White
Warm Greige Cabinets
A softer alternative to bright white.
Popular examples include:
- Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray
- Sherwin-Williams Gossamer Veil
- Sherwin-Williams Shoji White
Blue and Green Cabinets
Perfect for islands or homeowners looking for more personality.
Popular examples include:
- Sherwin-Williams Naval
- Sherwin-Williams Studio Blue Green
- Sherwin-Williams Niebla Azul
Dark Cabinets
A dramatic, sophisticated option.
Popular examples include:
- Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn
- Sherwin-Williams Urbane Bronze
- Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black
- Read here for more bold cabinet accent ideas: https://www.justaddpaint.net/accent-ideas-for-kitchen-island-colors
Cabinet Door Replacement and Cabinet Refacing Options
Sometimes homeowners love the cabinet layout but dislike the door style.
In many situations, we can replace cabinet doors while refinishing the existing cabinet boxes.
This allows homeowners to:
- Convert raised panel doors to shaker style
- Eliminate outdated arch-top doors
- Add soft-close hinges
- Modernize the kitchen without replacing cabinets
For many kitchens, this provides the appearance of a major renovation while maintaining a much lower overall investment.
Click here to read more about cabinet door replacement to see if it is right for you https://www.justaddpaint.net/replacement-cabinet-doors-a-fresh-look-without-the-full-remodel
How Much Does Cabinet Refinishing Cost?
Every kitchen is different, but cabinet refinishing typically costs significantly less than cabinet replacement.
Factors affecting cost include:
- Number of doors and drawers
- Cabinet condition
- Existing finish
- Color changes
- Door replacement options
- Hardware upgrades
- Kitchen size
- Amount of preparation required
Most homeowners find that cabinet refinishing provides one of the highest returns on investment available in a kitchen update.
If you’re considering new cabinets, we often recommend obtaining both replacement and refinishing estimates before making a decision.
In the Mechanicsburg and Central PA market, a professionally refinished kitchen typically falls into these ranges:
| Kitchen Size | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Small kitchen (15 - 20 doors/drawers) | $4,000 – $6,000 |
| Average kitchen (20 - 35 doors/drawers) | $5,500–$8,500 |
| Large kitchen (35 - 50+ doors/drawers) | $8,000 – $12,000 + |
| Cabinet refinishing + new doors | $8,000 – $18,000 + |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does cabinet refinishing take?
Most projects are completed in approximately one week, depending on kitchen size and project scope. We do NOT use flammable solvent-based products that others use to save cost.
Are painted cabinets durable?
Most projects are completed in approximately one week, depending on kitchen size and project scope. We do NOT use flammable solvent-based products that others use to save cost.
Are painted cabinets durable?
Yes. When properly prepared and finished with professional cabinet coatings, refinished cabinets can provide a permanent solution lasting 15+ years under normal household use.
Can oak cabinets be painted?
Absolutely. Oak cabinets are among the most common cabinet types we refinish throughout Central Pennsylvania. More information on painting oak cabinets here: https://www.justaddpaint.net/can-you-paint-oak-cabinets
Can cabinet boxes be painted without removing them?
Yes. Cabinet boxes remain in place while doors and drawer fronts are removed and refinished separately.
Can soft-close hinges be added?
In many cases, yes. We frequently install soft-close hinge upgrades during cabinet refinishing projects
Is cabinet refinishing worth it?
For many homeowners, cabinet refinishing offers a significant visual transformation without the cost, disruption, or waste associated with cabinet replacement.
Why Homeowners Choose Just Add Paint
We know there are plenty of painting contractors who offer cabinet painting as a side service.
At Just Add Paint, cabinet refinishing is a core part of what we do.
Our process has been refined through hundreds of kitchens, countless product tests, and years of experience helping Central Pennsylvania homeowners update their homes.
Clients choose us because we provide:
- Specialized cabinet refinishing expertise
- Professional spray finishes
- High-performance KCMA-Rated cabinet coatings (We love Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore for walls, but they do NOT hold up the wear and tear on kitchen cabinets)
- Clear communication
- Detailed preparation
- Color guidance
- Door replacement options
- Durable, long-lasting results
- Experience (several hundred sets of cabinets and over 20 years in the business)
Most importantly, we treat your kitchen like it’s our own.
Ready to Transform Your Kitchen?
If your cabinets are structurally sound but visually outdated, cabinet refinishing may be the solution you’re looking for.
Contact Just Add Paint today to schedule a consultation and learn whether cabinet refinishing, cabinet door replacement, or a combination of both is the best fit for your home.
Serving Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Harrisburg, Carlisle, Hershey, and surrounding Central Pennsylvania communities.
Bonus material on how to keep your painted kitchen cabinets clean without damaging them: https://www.justaddpaint.net/the-ultimate-guide-to-cleaning-painted-kitchen-cabinets