In a recent Q&A column, the San Francisco Chronicle broached the topic of kitchen cabinet refinishing. Titled ?3 brothers, 3 approaches to cabinet refinishing,? the question and answer session shed light on just how many different ways one can go about a seemingly straightforward home improvement task. If you're considering refinishing your kitchen cabinets, you might just learn a thing or two from these ?different as day and night? siblings. Which one do you see yourself in? The answer may make your cabinetry refinishing a more enjoyable task.

First up there is Bryan. He ?wants to get it done fast. He sets a schedule, and [that] schedule is met, sometimes at the expense of some of the details.? If you're like Bryan, you're not going to want to waste time filling in the grain texture of your kitchen cabinets prior to painting them. You're much more likely to opt instead for a paint-wipe look, which is just what Bryan did. ?He did a three-coat job: a primer coat, a split coat and a finish coat. He did the job with a brush, which is OK if the grain is going to show. He did not glaze the edges.?

Then there's Bill, the artist. Given his artistic talents, it's not surprising that his ?cabinets are painted and the surface is smooth. He [also] decided to replace the door and drawer fronts for a new look.? In addition, ?Bill's cabinets are sprayed. This application produces a smooth finish. He used an acrylic epoxy as a finish,? steering away from oil-based paint because of its tendency to yellow over time. From the outside, Bill's kitchen cabinets ?look brand new.?

Finally, there's Kevin, who ?built the kitchen cabinets in his house in place, stick by stick, including the cabinet doors and drawers, 15 years ago.? His finances at the time, however, prevented him from adding the high-quality finishing touches that would give his cabinetry that professional look. ?New hardware is required and the cabinets need a repaint. When repainting, he'?ll do a thorough cleaning, a good sanding, and two coats of an acrylic epoxy finish.?

Whether your approach to kitchen cabinet refinishing mirrors that of Bryan, Bill, or Kevin, a leading manufacturer of kitchen cabinets can set you on the right path to the cabinetry of your dreams. Some considerations:

? White cabinets complement the stainless steel finish that is so popular with today's appliances.

? A high-gloss finish adds stylish detail to complete your kitchen's look.

? Rich colors like burgundy provide a warm, traditional, timeless, and welcoming look.

? Natural wood finishes lend a rustic touch.

? White gloss puts some shine in your kitchen and makes a stunning statement.

And what if your cabinets need a complete overhaul or replacement? Ready-to-assemble or assembled cabinets that combine high quality with affordable prices may be the answer to your dilemma. Visit your local home improvement center and look for a cabinet line that offers lifetime warranties, retails at popular prices, and can be assembled quickly, sometimes in just five or six minutes.