Cabinet & Door Lacquering

Lacquering a door or a piece of furniture isn't the same as painting it: the goal is a perfectly smooth surface, with no brush marks or visible texture, similar to the factory finish on a new piece of furniture. That demands far more careful preparation than conventional painting.

The process starts by removing the hardware and, in most cases, the door itself from its frame, so we can work in a controlled space free of dust or draughts that could spoil the finish. It's sanded thoroughly to remove the old varnish or paint, a sealing primer is applied, then several coats of lacquer — lightly sanding between each — until the surface is perfectly even.

We work on both wood joinery (doors, built-in wardrobes, skirting boards) and metal (garage doors, railings, gates), with the specific preparation each material needs. Dark colours or pure white usually need more coats to cover properly, which is factored in when we quote.

This service is often requested alongside a full interior renovation, when you want the doors and joinery to match the new wall colour — see interior painting — or as a standalone update without touching the rest of the home.

If your project also includes the room's walls, we coordinate it on the same visit — see interior painting. For an idea of cost before deciding, see what determines the price or use the online estimator.

The final finish can be ordered in any colour from the paint brand's usual range, whether matt, gloss or satin — gloss tends to show up imperfections more, so preparation matters even more in that case.

At the free technical visit we assess your home's real condition and give you a detailed, written quote, with no obligation and no fine print.

We can also match the lacquer to an existing colour code if you're only replacing a few doors and want a seamless match with the rest of the woodwork in the house.

Do the doors need to be taken off to be lacquered?

In most cases, yes, so the lacquer can be applied in a controlled space with an even finish on every edge and face. They're refitted once dry.

Can you lacquer metal joinery, or only wood?

Both — the preparation process changes (sanding and a specific primer depending on the material), but we lacquer both wood and metal joinery.

How long does it take for lacquered doors to be ready?

It depends on the number of doors and the colour (dark tones or pure white usually need more coats), but the timeframe is confirmed at the technical visit.

What's the difference between lacquering and painting a door?

Lacquering aims for a completely smooth finish, with no brush marks, similar to a factory-made piece of furniture — it requires more preparation, sanding between coats and, often, spray application instead of a brush or roller.