How soon after refinishing can I use my cabinets normally?

We reinstall doors after 24-48 hours of final cure time in our shop. However, the urethane enamel continues to harden for 30 days after application. During this 30-day cure period, treat your cabinets gently: don't hang heavy items on doors, avoid pressing sticky notes or tape to surfaces, and clean only with a damp microfiber cloth. After 30 days, the finish reaches full hardness and can handle normal daily use.

What cleaning products should I use on refinished cabinets?

For daily cleaning: warm water with a drop of Dawn dish soap on a microfiber cloth, then dry immediately. For tougher spots: a 50/50 water-vinegar solution works well. Avoid: Windex, 409, bleach-based cleaners, Magic Erasers, abrasive sponges, and any product containing ammonia or acetone. These can dull, soften, or damage the urethane finish.

What does the 5-year warranty cover?

Our warranty covers peeling, chipping, cracking, bubbling, and yellowing that results from material or workmanship defects — not from physical damage, chemical exposure, or improper cleaning. If your finish fails under normal use within 5 years, we'll repair or refinish the affected areas at no charge. The warranty is transferable if you sell your home.

Can I touch up small chips or scratches myself?

For tiny chips (smaller than a pencil eraser), we provide a touch-up kit with your project that includes a small bottle of your exact color. Apply with a fine artist's brush, building thin layers. For anything larger, call us — improper touch-up can make damage more visible. Touch-ups done by us are covered under warranty; DIY touch-ups are not.

Will my white cabinets yellow over time?

No. Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane uses non-yellowing acrylic-urethane resin technology specifically designed to prevent yellowing. Unlike oil-based paints that oxidize and yellow with age, our urethane enamel maintains its true color for 10-15+ years. This is one of the key reasons we chose this product over traditional oil-based cabinet paints.

Maintaining Refinished Cabinets: 5-Year Warranty Care Guide

Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel — the product we use on every cabinet project — is one of the most durable finishes available for residential cabinetry. With proper care, your refinished cabinets will look as good in year 10 as they do on day one.

The First 30 Days (Cure Period)

While your cabinets feel dry to the touch when we reinstall them, the urethane enamel continues to cross-link and harden for approximately 30 days. During this cure period, the finish is more vulnerable to damage. Follow these guidelines:

Do During Cure

Open and close doors gently

Clean with damp microfiber only

Dry surfaces immediately after cleaning

Use felt pads on items stored inside

Keep kitchen ventilated

Don't During Cure

Stick tape, magnets, or sticky notes to surfaces

Place heavy items on shelves (distribute weight)

Use any chemical cleaners

Scrub with abrasive sponges

Allow water to pool on horizontal surfaces

Daily & Weekly Cleaning

Daily Wipe-Down (30 seconds)

After cooking, wipe cabinet fronts near the stove with a damp microfiber cloth. Cooking oil vapor settles on surfaces and, over time, can build up a sticky film. A quick daily wipe prevents buildup and keeps your cabinets looking fresh. Dry with a second cloth.

Weekly Deep Clean (5 minutes)

Mix a few drops of Dawn dish soap in warm water. Wring out a microfiber cloth until barely damp. Wipe all cabinet fronts, paying extra attention to areas near handles (where finger oils accumulate) and cabinets near the stove. Follow with a dry microfiber cloth. That's it — no special products needed.

Approved vs. Prohibited Products

Safe to Use	Never Use
Warm water + Dawn dish soap	Windex / glass cleaners
50/50 water-vinegar solution	409 / all-purpose sprays
Murphy's Oil Soap (diluted)	Bleach-based cleaners
Microfiber cloths	Magic Erasers / melamine sponges
Soft cotton cloths	Abrasive sponges / steel wool
Pledge (spray on cloth, not surface)	Acetone / nail polish remover

Seasonal Maintenance (Houston-Specific)

Summer (June-September)

Houston's summer humidity (75-95%) can cause wood to expand slightly. You may notice doors fitting slightly tighter or hinges needing minor adjustment. This is normal and not a defect — the urethane finish prevents moisture from penetrating the wood, but the substrate can still respond to extreme humidity changes. If doors stick, wait for fall — they'll return to normal as humidity drops.

Winter (November-February)

When you run your heater, indoor humidity drops significantly. Wood contracts slightly, and you may notice small gaps at joints that weren't visible in summer. Again, this is normal wood movement, not a finish failure. Running a humidifier (target 40-50% indoor humidity) helps minimize seasonal movement and is good for your cabinets, furniture, and health.

Your 5-Year Warranty

What's Covered

Covered (Workmanship/Material)

• Peeling or delamination
• Chipping from normal use
• Cracking or crazing
• Bubbling or blistering
• Yellowing of white finishes
• Adhesion failure

Not Covered

• Physical impact damage (drops, hits)
• Chemical damage (wrong cleaners)
• Heat damage (hot pans on surfaces)
• Normal wear at high-touch points after 5 years
• Damage from unauthorized repairs
• Water damage from plumbing leaks

Warranty is transferable — if you sell your home within 5 years, the warranty transfers to the new owner. We provide a warranty certificate with your project completion package.

When to Call Us

Contact us immediately if you notice: peeling or lifting at edges, bubbling or blistering, cracking in the finish, or any area where the finish appears to be failing. Early intervention prevents small issues from becoming larger ones. We respond within 24 hours and schedule warranty inspections within 3-5 business days.

For more about our process and materials, see our 5-step refinishing process or learn about how our finish handles Houston humidity.

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