Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Crystal Lake, IL
Upgrade Your Kitchen With Our Expert Cabinet Painting
Your kitchen is the heart of your home—and nothing updates it faster than professionally painted cabinets.
If you’re looking for a clean, modern look without replacing your existing cabinets, our kitchen cabinet painting service delivers results that look like a full renovation at a fraction of the cost.
We’re a residential painting company based in Crystal Lake, IL, proudly serving neighboring communities including Lake in the Hills, Cary, Algonquin, Huntley, Woodstock, and McHenry.
With years of experience and a process refined to perfection, we specialize in transforming outdated cabinets into beautiful and durable centerpieces.
Why Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets Is the Smartest Upgrade
Many Mchenry County homeowners assume their only option is to replace cabinets to get a fresh, modern look. But professionally painted cabinets can:
Completely refresh your kitchen for a fraction of replacement cost
Improve the look of your entire home—and even boost resale appeal
Deliver a factory-quality finish that’s smooth, durable, and easy to clean
Avoid the mess, downtime, and demolition required with full replacement
Painting cabinets is one of the highest-value home improvements you can make. But the results depend entirely on the process—and the products used.
That’s where we stand out.
What Makes Our Cabinet Painting Different
There’s a big difference between “just painting cabinets” and professional cabinet refinishing done correctly.
Homeowners often hire “cabinet painters” who use wall paint, skip proper prep, or brush on finishes that chip within months. Our system is built specifically for high-touch surfaces like cabinet doors and drawer fronts.
Here’s what sets our service apart:
• We spray everything for an ultra-smooth, factory-style finish
• We use special paint designed specifically for cabinetry
• We follow a strict multi-step prep process to ensure durability
• We create a contained workspace in your home to keep dust controlled
• We remove and spray your doors and drawers off-site for a flawless finish
• We use high-end masking materials to protect your home during work
• We handle every project with respect—professionalism, communication, and cleanup included
Your kitchen deserves results that look beautiful on day one and stay beautiful for years.
Our Kitchen Cabinet Painting Process
Below is a detailed look at our painting process from beginning to end so you know exactly what to expect.
1. In-Home Evaluation & Project Planning
Every kitchen is different. During your free in-home consultation, we walk through your kitchen with you to explain the process and evaluate:
Cabinet material
Existing finish
Grease buildup
Wood grain and knots
Damage or wear
Any repairs needed
We also help you choose the perfect paint color and sheen. Most Mchenry County homeowners love a satin or semi-gloss finish for its modern appearance and easy cleaning.
2. Removal, Labeling & Transport of Cabinet Doors and Drawers
Once the project begins, we carefully remove all doors and drawer fronts, label everything, and transport them to our shop for controlled spraying.
This keeps your home clean, and your kitchen will remain fully functional during the painting process. All hardware is stored safely or replaced if you’re upgrading hinges or handles.
3. Cleaning & Degreasing
Even clean kitchens build up hidden grease over time.
Before sanding begins, we scrub everything using a high-quality degreaser (we like Krud Kutter). This ensures that our primer bonds properly and prevents adhesion problems down the road.
4. Sanding & Grain Filling (If Needed)
Many homes in our service area—especially Crystal Lake, Cary, and Woodstock—feature oak cabinets with deep, open grain.
To achieve a smooth, modern finish, we apply grain filler when needed.
Our sanding process includes:
Dulling the existing finish with 220-grit sandpaper
Using orbital sanders for efficient sanding
Additional sanding after grain filler sets
Detailed hand-sanding in grooves and edges
We never use overly coarse grits that can damage wood fibers, especially on softer woods like cherry or maple.
5. Priming for Maximum Adhesion and Durability
Primer type and quality absolutely determines how long your painted cabinets last and how smooth they look.
We use pre-catalyzed primer and paint (Sherwin Williams) for durability. Our primer forms a strong bond and seals the surface of raw and stained wood.
Our primer is superior to waterborne products because it doesn’t raise the grain. It also seals in tannins that can cause yellowing. Between coats, everything is sanded again using 220- and 320-grit for a buttery-smooth surface.
6. Spraying the Doors & Drawers in Our Controlled Shop
Doors and drawers are sprayed in our professional shop setup where we control:
Overspray
Dust
Dry times
Temperature and humidity
Using a fine-finish sprayer, we apply two coats of pre-catalyzed cabinet paint, sanding between coats for a factory-level finish.
These coatings level beautifully and cure to a hard, durable shell that resists chipping and everyday wear.
7. On-Site Prep: Creating a Contained Spray Zone
While your cabinet doors are being spray-painted, we prep your kitchen frames.
We protect your home using:
Plastic masking film
Masking paper
Professional-grade tape
A plastic curtain to seal off the workspace
This protects appliances, counters, floors, and adjacent rooms.
8. Spraying Cabinet Frames On-Site
Just like the doors, the cabinet frames are sprayed—not brushed or rolled. Spraying ensures the color and texture match perfectly.
We apply:
2 coats of primer
2 coats of pre-catalyzed paint
Sanding between all coats
This stage typically takes four to five days depending on kitchen size, and we work efficiently to minimize downtime.
9. Reinstallation & Final Touches
When everything is dry (about 1 hour):
- Plastic and masking tape is removed
Doors and drawers are reinstalled
Hardware is reattached or upgraded
Soft-close hinges can be added
Cabinet alignment is checked
Final touch-ups are done if needed
We clean the workspace thoroughly so you can start using your kitchen right away.
How Long Does Cabinet Painting Take?
Most cabinets can be painted in 7–14 days from start to finish. Larger kitchens or heavy grain-filling may require slightly more time, but we always communicate schedules clearly so you know what to expect.
How Durable Is the Finish?
Our pre-catalyzed coatings (Sherwin Williams) harden into a strong, chip-resistant film that:
Wipes clean easily
Resists moisture
Withstands daily use
Holds up far better than wall paint or enamel
This is not your typical paint—it’s a professional-grade coating system engineered for cabinetry.
Why Mchenry County Homeowners Choose Us
✔ Crystal Lake–based, serving all nearby communities
✔ Specialized in cabinet painting—not general painting only
✔ Smooth, sprayed, factory-grade finish every time
✔ Professional communication and project updates
✔ Dust containment and meticulous cleanliness
✔ Honest pricing and reliable scheduling
✔ A process designed for long-lasting durability
Most of our customers come from referrals, returning clients, or people who saw our finished work in their neighbors’ homes.
Common Questions (FAQ)
How long will the finish last?
With proper care, painted cabinets can last many years. Our coatings are designed for long-term durability.
Will the grain on oak cabinets still show?
We offer grain filling for a smoother finish; how smooth it gets depends on the depth of the original grain.
It’s important to note, though, that while the holes and cracks in the grain will be hidden after filling, the natural pattern of the oak itself will remain.
Are the products you use low odor?
Like most cabinet coatings, the primer and paint we use does have odor, but this lasts only for a few hours. We also ventilate the kitchen while spraying so you won’t have any lingering paint fumes in your home when the job is done.
Can I still live in my house during the project?
Absolutely. We keep the space contained, clean, and accessible throughout. The cabinet doors are also sprayed off-site, not inside your home.
Do you spray or brush?
We spray everything for the highest quality finish.
Service Areas
Based in Crystal Lake, IL, we proudly offer kitchen cabinet painting in:
Lake in the Hills
Cary
Algonquin
Huntley
Woodstock
McHenry
And surrounding areas
If you’re searching for cabinet painters near you, you’re in the right place.
Our Cabinet Painting Work
Ready to Transform Your Kitchen? Get a Free Estimate!
If your kitchen needs a change and you want cabinets that look clean, updated, and professionally painted, we’re here to help.
Click below to request your free cabinet painting estimate and get started today.