Cabinet Refinishing · Syracuse & Central New York
New-Looking Cabinets.
Not a New Kitchen.
Cabinet replacement can run $20,000–$50,000 in Central New York. Refinishing with a factory-smooth spray finish costs a fraction of that — and guests won't be able to tell the difference.
Why Most Cabinet Painting Jobs Fail
Roll-applied cabinet paint looks fine at first — until it doesn't. The texture is obvious in raking light. The edges chip where hardware meets the door. Within a year, the finish looks like a DIY job even if a professional applied it.
Spray-applied cabinet finish eliminates the roller texture entirely. Done with proper deglossing, bonding primer, and a durable catalyzed topcoat, it holds up to kitchen conditions for years — not months.
Real Customer Result
"I was quoted $28,000 to replace my kitchen cabinets. Six months after Gallagher refinished them, guests ask if I got new ones." — Diane H., Ithaca NY
Is Refinishing Right for Your Cabinets?
Refinishing works best when cabinet boxes and doors are structurally sound. We'll assess the following during our free estimate:
- Door and box integrity — no delaminating or water damage
- Hardware condition and upgrade potential
- Finish adhesion — some existing coatings need to be stripped, not just sanded
- Layout suitability — not all kitchens are good candidates
Our Cabinet Refinishing Process
- Remove all doors, drawers, and hardware
- Label all components for correct reinstallation
- Full deglossingof existing finish to achieve adhesion
- Light scuff-sand all surfaces to proper profile
- Bonding primer applied to all surfaces
- Light sanding between primer and topcoat
- Two coats of catalyzed or alkyd-based enamel, spray-applied
- Replace hardware, rehang doors, adjust for fit
- Final kitchen walkthrough and touch-up before sign-off
Finishes We Apply
- —Alkyd enamel — durable, traditional
- —Waterborne catalyzed enamel — hard, fast cure, low VOC
- —Two-component polyurethane — commercial-grade hardness
- —Custom color matching — any paint brand or chip
We Finish Cabinets. Not Just Paint Them.
Spray-Booth Quality On-Site
Our spray process replicates what a factory finish looks like. Proper containment, proper tip, proper reduction — not just a spray gun pointed at a door on a drop cloth.
No Subcontractors
Cabinet finishing is too detail-intensive to hand off. Every Gallagher cabinet job is done by our own trained finishers, not whoever's available from a labor pool.
Serving CNY Kitchens Since 1950
We've seen every type of Central New York home kitchen — post-war oak, 1990s maple, 2000s MDF. We know what products and processes work on each.
We've shown up every day since 1950.
Over 5,000 projects. Not one abandoned. Our reputation is 75 years old. We're not going anywhere.
You'll know exactly who's on your job.
We don't use subcontractors. The crew you meet at the estimate is the crew that does the work.
We'll never be the cheapest quote.
Contractors who win on price cut corners — materials, prep, insurance. We itemize everything before we touch a wall.
We warranty our work. In writing.
We've been at this address for 75 years. If something isn't right, we come back and fix it. That's not a policy — it's how a family business survives three generations.
Before You Call a Kitchen Contractor, Call Us
We'll assess your cabinets for free and tell you honestly whether refinishing is the right move — and what it will actually cost.
Schedule a Free Estimate