The Smartest Way to Renovate Your Knoxville Kitchen
You don't need to tear out your cabinets to get a brand-new kitchen. Most cabinets in Knoxville homes—whether 1990s golden oak or 2000s cherry—are structurally sound. They just look dated. Replacing them costs $20,000 to $50,000+ and puts your kitchen out of commission for weeks. Refinishing gives you that same factory-fresh look for a fraction of the cost, usually in just 5-7 days.
Why We Don't Use "Paint" on Cabinets
This is the most critical difference between a DIY project and a professional finish. We don't use standard latex trim paint (like Sherwin-Williams ProClassic or Emerald Urethane) on cabinets. While those are great for trim, they can peel, chip, and feel "sticky" on cabinet doors.
We use Catalyzed Conversion Varnish. This is a two-part industrial coating that chemically hardens (cures) rather than just drying. It's the exact same finish used by high-end custom cabinet makers.
- Hardness: Resists scratches and dings from pots, pans, and fingernails.
- Chemical Resistance: Stands up to cleaning products and food acids.
- Moisture Resistance: Won't bubble or peel near the dishwasher or sink.
- Feel: Smooth, hard, and furniture-like—not plastic-y.
Our 6-Step Factory Refinishing Process
- Removal & Protection: We take off all doors and drawer fronts and transport them to our shop. Your kitchen floors, countertops, and appliances are fully masked and protected.
- Degreasing & Cleaning: Years of cooking oils and furniture polish must be removed. We use industrial degreasers to ensure a perfectly clean substrate.
- Sanding & Repair: We sand every inch of surface to open the grain for bonding. We fill hardware holes (if you're changing handle sizes) and repair nicks or scratches.
- Bonding Primer: We spray a specialized acid-catalyzed primer that bites into the wood and blocks stains (like tannins from oak).
- Fine Sanding: We sand the primer completely smooth. This is the secret to that glass-like topcoat.
- Topcoat Application: We spray two coats of catalyzed conversion varnish in your chosen color and sheen (Satin is most popular).
Oak Grain: To Fill or Not to Fill?
Many Knoxville homes have open-grain oak cabinets. When painted, the texture of the wood grain will show through. This is a standard painted cabinet look. However, if you want a completely smooth, "MDF-like" finish, we offer a grain-filling service. We apply a specialized filler compound before priming to hide the wood grain texture. Ask Jesse about this option during your estimate.
Is Refinishing Right for Your Cabinets?
Refinishing is the perfect solution if:
- You like your current layout and storage.
- Your cabinet boxes and doors are in good structural condition.
- You want to update the look without the mess of demolition.
- You want to increase your home's value before selling.
