Why Spray-Finished Cabinetry Lasts Longer

Spray-finished cabinetry lasts longer than on-site brush-painted work because the paint system is different (durable PU vs. decorators' eggshell), the prep is done off-site under controlled conditions, and the coats are applied evenly and cured properly. A workshop finish costs more than a decorator's job, but it doesn't need re-doing after a year.

Why decorators can't match a workshop finish

Most on-site painted kitchens look great for a year, then start to chip on door edges and around handles. That's not the decorator's fault - it's the paint system and the conditions they're working in. A proper workshop finish is a different beast.

The paint is different

We use polyurethane (PU) paint systems designed for cabinetry and joinery. They cure to a hard, durable film that resists chipping, wipes clean, and holds its colour under everyday kitchen wear. Decorators typically use eggshell or emulsion, which are formulated for walls, not for cabinet doors that get slammed a hundred times a week.

The prep is done properly

Doors come to the workshop, get stripped of hardware, sanded flat, filled where needed, primed, sanded again, and sprayed in even coats. Between coats they're checked under raking light and dust-nibbed. That's difficult to do in a customer's kitchen with everyone trying to use the room.

Coats are applied evenly

A spray gun in a booth lays paint down at consistent thickness, so the finish is uniformly smooth. Brush and roller applications leave subtle marks that catch the light, especially on flat-panel doors and end panels.

Cure time is properly respected

PU paint needs time between coats and a proper cure before the door goes back on the hinge. In the workshop we can control that; on site, someone always needs to get back into the kitchen too soon.

Is it worth the extra money?

If the alternative is repainting in eighteen months, yes. A workshop spray-finished kitchen typically stays looking new for well over a decade.