Sherwin-Williams CAB acrylic lacquer typically costs about $80-$160 per gallon for the coating, with an average near $120; local dealer quotes and product availability can shift that range. A cabinet or furniture finishing project may cost $4-$12 per sq. ft. for coating materials, or substantially more with professional labor, spraying, sanding, and removal.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAB acrylic lacquer, 1 gallon | $80 | $120 | $160 | Indicative coating-only estimate; verify the exact product and package size with a dealer |
| Reducer or thinner, 1 gallon | $25 | $40 | $60 | Type depends on product instructions and spray conditions |
| DIY coating materials | $4 per sq. ft. | $7 per sq. ft. | $12 per sq. ft. | Includes typical coating, reducer, and consumables |
| Professional cabinet finishing | $4 per sq. ft. | $8 per sq. ft. | $15 per sq. ft. | Labor and scope vary; extensive prep or removal can cost more |
What a gallon of Sher-Wood CAB acrylic lacquer costs
For budgeting, allow $80-$160 per gallon for the lacquer itself, with roughly $120 as a planning midpoint. These are practical U.S. estimates rather than a guaranteed Sherwin-Williams list price: dealer pricing, region, package size, product formulation, and account discounts affect the quote. Confirm the exact CAB acrylic lacquer product number and whether the price includes tax.
A gallon is often enough for a small furniture project or a portion of a kitchen, but cabinets usually need multiple coats and careful spraying. As a rough estimate, one gallon may cover about 250-400 sq. ft. per coat on prepared surfaces under ordinary spray conditions. Actual coverage depends on transfer efficiency, surface texture, film thickness, and how much coating stays in the gun or overspray.
Assumptions: Standard clear or pigmented finishing work, normal access, and dealer-supplied gallon pricing; local quotes can differ.
Material-only pricing is not the same as a refinishing quote. A do-it-yourself budget for coating, reducer, sanding supplies, masking, and gun-cleaning materials may run $4-$12 per sq. ft. of finished surface. A professional cabinet job can reach $4-$15 per sq. ft. or more, depending on how much dismantling, repair, and spray work is included.
How lacquer, reducer, labor, and prep shape the quote
A written estimate should separate the coating from the tasks and supplies needed to apply it. Labor and surface preparation often cost more than the lacquer itself. The ranges below are illustrative U.S. budget allowances, not fixed Sherwin-Williams charges.
| Cost item | Low | Average | High | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacquer | $80 per gallon | $120 per gallon | $160 per gallon | Coating only; verify formulation and container size |
| Reducer and cleaning solvent | $25 per gallon | $40 per gallon | $60 per gallon | Compatible material; amount depends on application and cleanup |
| Labor | $35 per hour | $65 per hour | $100 per hour | Prep, spraying, sanding between coats, and reassembly |
| Equipment and consumables | $40 per job | $100 per job | $250 per job | Masking, filters, abrasives, spray-gun wear, and protective supplies |
| Removal and disposal | $0 per job | $75 per job | $300 per job | Varies with cabinet removal, old finish, and debris handling |
Labor estimates vary by contractor and region; some finishers quote a flat project price rather than an hourly rate. For example, 12-20 hours at $65 per hour equals $780-$1,300 in labor before materials or additional repair work.
Ask whether the quote covers doors and drawer fronts on both sides, cabinet boxes, sanding, stain or color matching, masking, ventilation, and final reinstallation. Separate line items make a low bid easier to compare with a more complete proposal.
Why coverage, wood condition, and spray setup change the price
Surface area and coating schedule are the main material-cost drivers. A smooth, well-prepared surface may use less coating than deeply profiled doors or open-grain wood. A finish plan with a sealer, multiple lacquer coats, and sanding between coats also consumes more material and labor than a simple one-coat application.
For planning, estimate finished surface area rather than floor area. Count door and drawer faces, cabinet-box surfaces being finished, and any exposed sides. If a project requires 300 sq. ft. of finished surface and the practical coverage is 250-400 sq. ft. per coat, one gallon might cover one coat, but a multi-coat system can require several gallons. Buy quantities based on the product system and the finisher’s application estimate, not a theoretical coverage figure alone.
Spray transfer efficiency matters as well. An experienced operator using appropriate equipment may use material more efficiently than a beginner spraying outdoors or with poor adjustment. Fine profiles, narrow edges, and small parts can add overspray and handling time. Existing finish that is peeling, waxy, greasy, or incompatible may require extra stripping or testing before a new coat is applied.
Product compatibility, film thickness, and application conditions should follow the current product label and technical data sheet. Do not substitute an arbitrary reducer or change the coating schedule to stretch a gallon. A finish that fails adhesion or develops defects can cost more to correct than the initial material savings.
How to reduce the cabinet lacquer bill without cutting corners
Control the scope before negotiating the price. Decide whether the project includes cabinet interiors, undersides, exposed ends, and both sides of each door. Finishing only visible faces can lower labor and material use, provided the appearance and protection are acceptable for the intended use.
Clean and empty cabinets before the crew arrives if the contractor permits it. Labeling doors and hardware can also reduce sorting time. Avoid sanding or applying household cleaners without agreement: an unsuitable product or uneven preparation may create extra work or adhesion problems. Ask the finisher which prep tasks are safe for the homeowner to complete.
Compare at least two or three quotes using the same finish schedule, surface list, and repair assumptions. Ask each bidder for the coating type, number of coats, included prep, and whether the price includes masking and reinstallation. A quote that specifies less work should not be compared directly with one that includes door removal, sanding, and repairs.
Choose a standard color or clear finish when it fits the project, and avoid unnecessary specialty matching or decorative effects. If only a few doors are damaged, ask whether spot repair or replacing those parts is practical before paying to refinish every cabinet. Keep the written scope consistent so savings come from fewer tasks, not an unspecified thinner finish.
How many gallons a 200-square-foot cabinet job may need
Material quantities depend on whether the stated area is measured per coat or as total finished surface. At an estimated 250-400 sq. ft. of practical coverage per gallon per coat, a 200-sq.-ft. area may use about half to four-fifths of a gallon for one coat. A two- or three-coat schedule can move the requirement beyond one gallon, especially where spray loss or textured surfaces are involved.
For a small job, package size can affect the unit price. A quart may cost roughly $25-$50 as an estimate, but not every product or dealer offers every size. Small containers can be more expensive per gallon and may leave too little material for consistent touch-ups. Ask the dealer whether the coating is sold in gallons, quarts, or larger packages and whether the quoted product is the exact specified system.
Assumptions: Coverage is an estimating range per coat on prepared surfaces; actual yield depends on application method, film thickness, and waste.
How spray labor and project size affect the finishing estimate
Cabinet finishing requires more than time at the spray gun. A crew may remove and label doors, clean and sand surfaces, mask the work area, apply coats, allow drying time, sand between coats when specified, and reinstall hardware. A small vanity or furniture piece may take several hours of hands-on work, while a full kitchen can require multiple workdays and separate shop and on-site tasks.
Hourly rates of about $35-$100 are useful for estimating labor where a contractor bills by time. Specialist finishers or high-cost metro areas can exceed that range. Flat-rate quotes are common, so compare the included hours only when the contractor provides them; otherwise compare the completed scope and finish schedule.
Drying time is not the same as crew labor time. The finish may need to dry or cure between operations, but that does not necessarily mean workers are present continuously. A tight deadline, a small work area that limits production, or a need to protect occupants from spray operations can extend the calendar schedule and sometimes add setup charges.
Regional dealer pricing and contractor rates across the U.S.
Dealer and labor costs are not uniform nationwide. As a broad planning adjustment, a high-cost metropolitan area may come in about 10%-25% above a national midpoint, while some rural markets may be 5%-15% below it. Those percentages are estimates, not guaranteed regional price rules; product availability, contractor workload, and the size of the job can outweigh location.
Urban projects may carry higher hourly rates and parking, access, or building-protection charges. Rural customers may face a travel fee or fewer finishers who regularly use this coating system. Dealer quotes may also vary according to account status, order quantity, and whether the specific lacquer is stocked locally or must be ordered.
Request a local materials quote and a separate labor estimate rather than applying a single national multiplier to the full project. Confirm that every bidder is pricing the same product and application system. If a contractor proposes a different lacquer, ask how its performance, preparation requirements, and number of coats compare.
Three sample quotes for furniture and cabinet lacquer work
These examples show how scope changes the total. They are illustrative budgets, not quotes for a specific home or a promise that a local contractor will charge the same amount.
| Example | Scope and labor | Materials | Labor and other charges | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small dresser | About 35 sq. ft.; 5-7 labor hours | $80-$150 | $250-$490, plus $25-$75 supplies | $355-$715 |
| Cabinet doors only | About 100 sq. ft.; 12-18 labor hours | $180-$350 | $600-$1,170, plus $50-$150 supplies | $830-$1,670 |
| Medium kitchen cabinet faces | About 250 sq. ft.; 25-40 labor hours | $350-$750 | $1,250-$2,600, plus $100-$300 supplies | $1,700-$3,650 |
The sample labor amounts use a broad $50-$65-per-hour planning rate; contractors may instead use a fixed bid. The material allowance includes lacquer and typical reducer, with more substantial sanding, repairs, replacement parts, or extensive masking potentially billed separately. A kitchen that includes cabinet boxes, interiors, or on-site protection can exceed the example.
For a useful comparison, ask each contractor to identify measured surface area, gallons or package quantities, labor scope, number of coats, and any minimum charge. A detailed quote makes it easier to see whether the difference is material price, labor, or work that one bidder omitted.