Where is the best place to get a factory finish on cabinets in Ottawa?
- Axcell Painting

- 5 days ago
- 3 min read

If you’re searching for a factory finish, you’re already past basic cabinet painting.
You want results that look built, not brushed. You want consistency.You want durability that holds up to daily use.
Let’s slow this down and define what actually matters.
What homeowners usually mean by “factory finish”
When people ask this question, they are usually looking for:
Glass-smooth surfaces
Even colour on every face, edge, and profile
A thick, consistent paint film
Added hardeners for durability
Proper cure time before reinstall
That combination does not happen by accident.
It also does not happen in a kitchen or living room.
A common misconception in Ottawa
Many homeowners assume big-box cabinetry is the benchmark.
Home Depot. Lowe’s. Prebuilt cabinet lines.
Those finishes look uniform at first glance.
Look closer.
You’ll see texture
You’ll see thin film build
You’ll see inconsistent sheen on edges
At Ottawa Cabinet Painting, our spray shop regularly produces finishes smoother than most off-the-shelf cabinets.
Not because those manufacturers are careless.
Because mass production trades perfection for speed.
What actually creates a factory-level finish
A true factory finish comes from control.
You cannot fake that.
It requires:
A professional spray booth
Controlled airflow across the surface
Proper filtration so overspray doesn’t fall back onto the paint
Stable temperature during spraying and curing
Space to lay parts flat and untouched
Air movement matters.
Without it, paint drifts, lands back on the surface, and creates texture.
That’s where the bumpy feel comes from.
What we see when “factory finish” goes wrong
Homeowners often bring us doors painted elsewhere.
The issues repeat.
Orange peel texture
Uneven spray patterns
Thin coverage on edges
Visible dry spray
Inconsistent mil thickness
These are not small flaws.
They are signs of an uncontrolled environment.
Why in-home cabinet spraying struggles
Spraying cabinets inside a home sounds convenient.
It isn’t precise.
In a home, you deal with:
Thermostats cycling on and off
Poor ventilation
Dust moving through the space
Insects landing on wet paint
Tight rooms that limit spray angles
Even with plastic and fans, you can’t lock down conditions.
That’s why Ottawa Cabinet Painting removes doors and drawer fronts and finishes them in our spray shop.
Why product choice matters more than brand names
We’ve tested a lot of products.
Benjamin Moore
Sherwin-Williams
Dulux
Other cabinet paints
They work. They just didn’t hold up the way we expect.
We now use EnviroLak full-time.
It’s built for cabinetry and woodwork.
Stronger film build
Better moisture resistance
Designed for kitchens and bathrooms
Accepts added hardeners properly
This decision came from failures, not theory.
What a real factory finish costs in Ottawa
For a proper shop-based process, Ottawa homeowners should expect:
$3,000 to $7,000 for most kitchens
Lower quotes usually mean:
Spraying in your home
Spraying in a garage or basement
Rushed cure times
Thin coatings
That’s where durability disappears.
Questions you should ask any cabinet painter
Ask questions they can’t dance around.
Where is the spraying done?
Can I visit the spray shop?
Is airflow controlled during spraying?
How is curing handled?
What product system do you use for cabinets?
If the answer involves a garage, basement, or living room, pause.
Your cabinets are the most expensive fixed feature in your kitchen.
Timeline and daily life during the process
A true factory-style finish takes time.
At Ottawa Cabinet Painting:
7 to 10 business days is normal
Doors and drawer fronts stay at our shop
You keep full use of your kitchen
Day-to-day disruption stays low
That balance matters to most families.
When a factory finish may not make sense
This approach isn’t for everyone.
It may not be the right choice if:
The cabinet style is outdated and won’t age well
The property is a rental
The goal is a short-term cosmetic refresh
Not every project needs maximum refinement.
So, where is the best place?
If your goal is a true factory-level cabinet finish in Ottawa, look for:
A dedicated spray shop
Controlled airflow and curing
Cabinet-specific products
Willingness to show you the process
That’s exactly how Ottawa Cabinet Painting operates.
If you’re unsure whether your cabinets justify this level of work, ask.
The right answer isn’t always “yes.”

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