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

  • Writer: Axcell Painting
    Axcell Painting
  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read
Beautiful white painted kitchen cabinets.

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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Our Ottawa Cabinet Painters or Ottawa Painting Teams are happy and proud to serve the following areas:

  • Serving the Greater Ottawa Area

  • Orleans

  • Rockcliffe

  • Gloucester

  • Blackburn Hamlet

  • Ottawa South

  • The Glebe

  • Centretown

  • Nepean

  • Barrhaven

  • Kanata

  • Stittsville

  • Bells Corners

© 2025 by Ottawa Cabinet Painting

5460 Canotek Rd. #110

Ottawa ON K1J 9H2

613-722-1059

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