Home Services Cabinet Painting
Service

CABINET PAINTING
& REFINISHING, DC MD VA

New kitchen cabinets cost $10,000–$30,000 or more. Cabinet painting by 5 Star Pros delivers the same transformation for a fraction of that price — with proper prep that means the finish actually holds up.

PROFESSIONAL CABINET PAINTING
IN THE DMV AREA

Cabinet painting has become one of the most requested services across the DMV — and for good reason. A full cabinet replacement in a Silver Spring or Bethesda kitchen can run $15,000 to $40,000. Professional cabinet painting delivers the same visual impact for $800 to $2,500 and takes days instead of weeks. Homeowners updating before a sale, landlords refreshing a rental unit, and families tired of dated oak or honey maple cabinets all call us for this one.

The difference between a cabinet paint job that looks great for ten years and one that chips and peels in six months is entirely in the prep. Cabinets accumulate layers of cooking grease, cleaning product residue, and dust that paint simply won't stick to without thorough degreasing. Then every surface needs to be sanded so the new finish has something to bite into. Then a bonding primer. Only then does finish coat go on. We don't skip any of these steps — ever. We use Benjamin Moore Advance and Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, both waterborne alkyds that cure rock-hard and wipe clean without scratching.

Doors and drawer fronts come off the cabinets for painting. This is the only way to get a true spray or brush finish without brush marks and drips. Box interiors are painted in place. Hardware is removed, inspected, and reinstalled — or we can coordinate new hardware if you're upgrading. The kitchen is fully functional again within 3–5 days on most jobs. We serve the entire DC, Maryland, and Virginia area and always provide free, no-pressure estimates.

Full Scope

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Prep & Cleaning

  • Remove all doors and drawer fronts
  • Degrease all surfaces with TSP solution
  • Sand faces, doors, and frames by hand
  • Fill dings, holes, and worn edges
  • Wipe down and tack all surfaces before prime

Priming & Painting

  • Apply bonding primer to all cabinet surfaces
  • Light sand between primer and finish coats
  • Two finish coats of premium cabinet enamel
  • Cabinet box interiors painted in place
  • Consistent sheen and color throughout

Hardware & Finishing

  • Remove and reinstall all existing hardware
  • Rehang all doors and drawer fronts
  • Adjust hinges for proper alignment
  • Inspect every door for drips or thin spots
  • Full cleanup of kitchen area
Typical Costs

PRICING GUIDE

Estimates vary by size, materials, and scope. Get an exact quote — it's always free.

Small Kitchen
$600–$1,200
Up to 10 doors and drawer fronts. Ideal for galley kitchens, condos, and small apartments. Typically a 2-day job from removal to reinstall.
Full Kitchen + Island
$2,500+
Large kitchen with island cabinets, pantry, or two-tone color scheme. Also includes bathroom vanity cabinets if done at the same time for additional savings.
How It Works

OUR PROCESS

01
Remove Doors & Hardware

Every door and drawer front is numbered and removed. Hardware goes into labeled bags so reinstallation is fast and accurate. This step ensures we can paint all surfaces properly without getting finish on hinges or inside the cabinet boxes.

02
Clean & Sand

All surfaces are degreased with a TSP solution to remove cooking oil, cleaning product residue, and dust buildup. Then every face, door, and frame is hand-sanded to create the mechanical bond the primer needs. This is the most labor-intensive step — and the most important.

03
Prime

A bonding primer is applied to all surfaces, including difficult substrates like laminate or thermofoil. After the primer dries, surfaces are lightly sanded again for a smooth base. Any remaining dings or imperfections are filled and re-sanded at this stage.

04
Paint Two Coats & Reassemble

Two full finish coats of premium cabinet enamel are applied and allowed to fully cure. Doors are rehung, hardware reinstalled, and every door is adjusted for proper alignment. We do a final walkthrough together before we leave the job.

Common Questions

CABINET PAINTING FAQ

How long do painted cabinets last?+
With proper prep and quality paint, painted cabinets last 8–15 years. The key is degreasing, sanding, and priming before any paint goes on. Cabinets painted without thorough prep will chip and peel within a year or two — we've seen it on plenty of DIY jobs and quick-flip contractor work throughout the DMV. We stand behind our work with a satisfaction guarantee.
What paint do you use on cabinets?+
We use Benjamin Moore Advance and Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel — both waterborne alkyd paints that level beautifully and cure to an extremely hard, washable finish. These are not standard wall paints. They're specifically formulated for high-traffic surfaces like cabinet doors and drawers, and they won't yellow over time the way oil-based paints do.
Can you change the color of my cabinets?+
Absolutely. Color change is one of the most popular reasons people call us. White, off-white, navy, sage green, charcoal, two-tone — we can hit any color you want. Dark original cabinets going to a light color require an extra coat of primer, which we factor into the quote upfront. Bring us a paint chip, a Pinterest photo, or a Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams color code and we'll match it.
Do you paint bathroom cabinets too?+
Yes. Bathroom vanity cabinets are one of our most requested cabinet painting jobs. The process is the same — remove doors, clean, sand, prime, paint — and the result is a vanity that looks brand new for a fraction of what a replacement would cost. We can also paint linen cabinets, built-ins, and laundry room cabinetry throughout the home in a single visit.

READY TO GET YOUR
CABINET PAINTING DONE RIGHT?

Free quote. No obligation. We respond within 15 minutes.

227-254-2422
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