Our Process
Our Services
Most “cabinet painting” projects use wall or trim paint and whatever sprayer the painter has in their van.
We built Shelly’s Kitchens around something different:
A cabinet finish that looks better, lasts longer, and stands up to real kitchen life.
That’s why we invested in:
- A robotic spray system
- An environmentally controlled spray booth with a bake oven
- Professional 2K wood coatings made specifically for cabinets
All three work together to give you a factory-quality finish on your kitchen cabinets.
The Problem with Typical Cabinet Paint Jobs
Your kitchen cabinets take more abuse than almost any other surface in your home:
- Grease, steam, and food splatters
- Oils from hands
- Constant opening and closing
- Cleaners, wipes, and scrubbing
Standard wall and trim paints were never designed for that.
That’s when you see:
- Chipping around handles and corners
- Peeling near dishwashers and sinks
- Sticky, soft finishes that never fully cure
- Brush marks and roller texture that cheapen the look
We wanted a finish that behaves more like factory cabinetry, not a quick “paint-over.” So we built a finish system to get there.
Our Robotic Spray System (R.U.S.S.)
Consistent, Professional Coverage Every Time
Our Robotic Ultra Spray System (R.U.S.S.) is a dedicated, automated spray line for cabinet doors and drawer fronts.
- Hand-sprayed passes at different speeds and distances
- Different painters with different techniques
- Moves each door through the same path, at the same speed
- Keeps the spray gun at a constant distance and angle
- Applies the coating evenly and consistently
- Fewer thin spots and heavy spots
- A smoother, more uniform appearance
- Better build and coverage with each coat
It’s the kind of consistency you typically only see from a cabinet factory—not from a standard on-site paint job.
Our Spray Booth, Oven & Bake Cycle
A Controlled Environment for a Stronger Finish
We don’t spray in open garages or makeshift plastic tents in your driveway.
Doors and drawer fronts are finished in our environmentally controlled spray booth and oven, where we can dial in:
- Airflow
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Keeps dust and debris out of the finish
- Helps coatings lay down smoother
- Creates the right conditions for the finish to cure harder and more evenly
Baked-On Durability (All the Way Through)
After R.U.S.S. sprays the doors and drawer fronts, we wheel them into the oven for a bake cycle. We bake the finish throughout the process—primers and topcoats—so every layer cures properly.
- Speeds up the cure time
- Helps the finish harden and crosslink
- Produces a tougher, more durable surface
The result? A cabinet finish that feels “factory new” and is ready to handle daily use—not something that feels tacky for weeks.
Our 2K Wood Coatings
Not Wall Paint, Not Trim Paint
We use a 2K (two-component) wood coating designed specifically for cabinetry and woodwork—not something meant for drywall.
- Higher hardness – more resistant to dents and scratches
- Better chemical resistance – stands up to kitchen cleaners and spills
- Better adhesion – bonds properly to properly prepared wood surfaces
- Better moisture resistance – handles steam and humidity from cooking and dishwashers
Real-World Performance
- Common household cleaners
- Scratches from coins and utensils
- Everyday wear and tear
It holds up the way a cabinet finish should: tough, cleanable, and long-lasting.
How This System Shows Up in Your Kitchen
When you combine:
- True cabinet-specific coatings
- A robotic spray system
- A controlled spray booth, oven, and bake cycle
…you get a finish that:
- Looks smooth and professional
- Stays hard and durable over time
- Is easier to clean and maintain
- Feels like it came that way from the factory
You can learn more about this option on our cabinet upgrades page.
You also get peace of mind that your investment in refinishing or painting will go the distance.
If you’d like to see what that looks like in real homes, you can browse our before-and-after gallery on the site.
How Our Finish System Fits with Each Service
Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing
- Are prepped and repaired
- Run through our robotic spray system
- Receive multiple coats of our 2K wood coating
- Are baked in our oven so every coat cures hard and smooth
Frames are finished in your home using compatible products so everything matches and performs as a system. We use the same product line, just professionally brushed and rolled where spraying isn’t practical.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting & Refinishing
- Our 2K wood coating system
- The same spray booth, oven, and bake cycle
- The same robotic system for doors and drawers
So “painting” with us doesn’t mean rolling wall paint. It’s simply the word most homeowners use when they’re talking about changing their cabinet color.
In practice, painting and refinishing are the same professional sprayed finish, in the color you choose.
DIY & Drop-Off Program
- You bring us doors and drawer fronts (or order new ones through us)
- We run them through our robotic spray system, booth, and oven
- You get a pro-grade, factory-like finish, even if you reinstall them yourself
Whether we’re doing the full project or just the finishing, the standard stays the same.
Why This Matters for You
All of this tech and process matters for one simple reason:
With the coating system we use, and according to the manufacturer, the finish is designed to last for decades under normal residential use.
Deliver a higher-quality finish
Reduce callbacks and touch-ups
Offer more predictable, repeatable results on every project
You get a kitchen that looks and feels the way you hoped it would, with less risk and guesswork.
Want to See If Our Finish Is Right for Your Kitchen?
If you’re considering refinishing or painting your cabinets—or using our DIY & Drop-Off option—the best way to start is to show us what you’re working with.
Or call (616) 308.2698 or text us a few photos of your kitchen and we can provide a ballpark estimate right away!