Cabinet Painting & Refinishing in San Jose, CA
Dated, worn or dark kitchen cabinets refinished in a smooth, durable finish, for a fraction of what replacing them would involve.
20 years of experience · Owner-operated painter in San Jose, CA
A new kitchen look without tearing out the cabinets
Cabinets take more abuse than any other painted surface in a home: steam, grease, hands, door slams and constant wiping. That is why cabinet painting is a different job from painting a wall. The finish has to bond to varnished wood or old paint, cure hard and stay smooth, and every door, drawer front and cabinet box has to be prepared properly for that to happen.
Our project photos show both sides of the work. One kitchen has dark-stained cabinets completely masked off, with paper and plastic over counters, appliances and floors while the finish goes on. Another is a bright white kitchen with glass-front built-ins, a large island and painted trim, the kind of finish many San Jose homeowners are after when they update older oak or honey-toned cabinets.
Refinishing keeps your existing cabinet boxes, layout and hardware locations, which means no demolition, no new countertop fit issues and a shorter disruption than a remodel. Gabriel will tell you honestly whether your cabinets are good candidates before you commit.
Signs your cabinets are ready for refinishing
Good candidates are structurally sound cabinets with tired finishes:
- A yellowed, cloudy or peeling clear coat, especially near the stove and sink.
- Dated oak or honey-toned wood that clashes with your counters, floors or the look you want.
- Worn edges and sticky, greasy buildup on doors and drawer fronts that cleaning does not fix.
- Solid boxes and drawers that still work well, so only the surface needs to change.
- A remodel budget that stretches further with new counters, lighting or flooring than with new cabinets.
- A dark or heavy stain you want to change to white, gray or a lighter tone.
How cabinet refinishing works
- Assess the cabinets and choose a finish
We check the wood, existing finish and condition, then agree on color and sheen. Painted white and deep tones both depend on the right prep for the existing stain.
- Seal off the kitchen
Floors, counters, appliances and nearby surfaces are covered with paper and plastic, and the work area is ventilated.
- Remove and label doors and hardware
Doors and drawer fronts are taken off and labeled so every piece goes back where it came from.
- Degrease, sand and fill
Years of kitchen grease are cleaned off, surfaces are scuffed so the primer bonds, and grain or dings are filled where a smooth look is wanted.
- Prime and apply the finish
A bonding primer goes on first, followed by coats of cabinet-grade finish with light sanding between coats for a smooth result.
- Reinstall and final check
Doors are rehung and adjusted, hardware goes back on, and we inspect every surface with you.
What affects the cost of cabinet refinishing
Cabinet pricing is set by the amount of surface and the amount of prep, not by room size alone:
Number of doors, drawers and boxes
Each door and drawer front is prepared and finished on both sides, so the count matters more than the kitchen footprint.
Existing finish and wood
Open-grain woods like oak need more filling for a smooth modern look; slick factory finishes need careful scuffing.
Color change
Moving from a dark stain to white takes extra primer and finish coats compared with a refresh in a similar tone.
Islands, pantries and built-ins
Large islands, glass-front built-ins and pantry units add surface area and detail work.
Inside the cabinets
Painting only the exteriors costs less than also finishing interiors.
Hardware changes
New pulls or hinges may need hole filling or drilling to line up, which adds time.
Why choose De La Mora Painting for cabinets
Prep that shows in the finish
Photos of our work show kitchens fully masked, with fans running and every surface protected before finish coats.
Painting and cabinets on one schedule
Walls, ceiling, trim and cabinets can be done together, so the kitchen is not torn up twice.
Honest advice on whether to refinish
If your cabinets are too damaged for refinishing to make sense, you will hear that before you spend anything.
Direct contact throughout
Questions about doors, color or timing go straight to Gabriel at (408) 892-3936.
Where we do this work
Larger kitchens with custom cabinetry are common in Los Gatos and Saratoga, and older homes across San Jose and Campbell often still have their original oak or honey-toned cabinets. Pair refinishing with interior painting to refresh the whole kitchen at once.
Cabinet Painting & Refinishing FAQs
Is it better to paint cabinets or replace them?
If your cabinet boxes are solid and the layout works, refinishing usually costs far less than replacement and avoids demolition. Replacement makes more sense if the boxes are water-damaged, sagging or the layout needs to change.
How durable is a painted cabinet finish?
Durability comes from the prep and product. Degreasing, scuff-sanding and a bonding primer under cabinet-grade finish coats give a hard, wipeable surface. Cabinets that get heavy daily use can still show wear over the years.
Can you paint stained oak cabinets without the grain showing?
The grain can be filled for a smoother look, but open-grain oak will show some texture unless filled thoroughly. We talk through the look you want before starting, so you know what to expect.
How long will my kitchen be out of use?
Expect several days to a couple of weeks depending on the number of doors and drying times. We plan the work so you keep the sink and appliances usable where possible, and we will give you a schedule at the quote.
Do you paint the inside of the cabinets too?
Interiors can be included if you want them. Many homeowners refinish only the visible exteriors to save cost, and we will price both options if you ask.
Do you spray or brush cabinet finishes?
It depends on the cabinets and the finish. Spraying gives the smoothest result on doors and drawer fronts, while brushing and rolling are used for installed boxes and tight spots. We explain what is planned for your kitchen at the walk-through.
Related services
Interior Painting
Walls, ceilings and trim with clean cut lines and the prep that makes paint last.
Learn more →
Door Painting & Refinishing
Entry, double and interior doors stripped, primed and finished to look new again.
Learn more →
Staircase & Railing Painting
Balusters, handrails, risers and stair walls painted or stained to hold up to daily traffic.
Learn more →Ready to Update Your Kitchen Cabinets?
Request a quote and Gabriel will look at your cabinets and tell you what refinishing can do for your kitchen.
(408) 892-3936