Forty years of doing it the right way.
Finishing Touch Painting has been owner-operated in Grayslake since 1986. Mike Curnow still walks every estimate and stands behind every job — which is why his name is in nearly every review.
From one painter with a ladder.
Mike Curnow founded Finishing Touch Painting in 1986 on a simple belief: precision and craftsmanship aren’t extras — they’re the whole job. What started as one painter with a ladder and a reputation to build is now a small, family-owned shop trusted across Lake County and Chicago’s North Shore.
Four decades on, Mike is still personally involved in every project — from the first consultation to the final walkthrough. It’s why every review names him by name, and why so much of our work comes from a neighbor who saw the finish next door.
We’ve never chased volume. We’d rather do fewer homes and get every detail right — one brushstroke at a time.
— Mike Curnow, Owner
The values behind every job.
The last two percent
The prep no one sees and the crisp line where wall meets trim — finished to a standard we’d accept in our own home.
Family-owned since 1986
A Grayslake shop for nearly forty years, with Mike personally involved from the first walkthrough to the last.
The same crew, every job
One small team, no franchise branches and no subcontracted labor — the standard doesn’t change from one job to the next.
Free, itemized estimates
An honest written quote at a free in-home visit — no pressure, no surprises.
Every review names Mike.
The clearest thing you can know about a painter is what the last homeowner said. Ours keep saying the same thing — and they keep saying his name.
“Mike is great to work with — he just finished the outside eaves with stain, and previously did our entire interior after a renovation. Hardworking and neat. We'd have him back anytime without hesitation!”
“An exceptional experience. Mike painted our exterior trim, repaired a damaged threshold, even patched and painted damaged bricks. We loved his commitment to detail — meticulous. We'll definitely use him again.”
“Mike removed wallpaper and painted my guest bath, replaced drywall and painted my kitchen. Very meticulous with wall prep. Showed up on time, cleaned to a broom-clean standard, reasonable price.”
“Mike came recommended by a friend. The work was done to perfection. I would use Mike again in the future for my painting needs.”
“Really great experience. Mike is excellent with communication, expectations and timeliness. Very fair, up-front pricing. Diligent work and the finished product is fantastic. We'll use him again soon.”
“Mike did a great job. He's very punctual, neat and very detailed. I would definitely recommend Finishing Touch Painting.”
You work with the owner, start to finish.
No account manager, no handoff. Here’s what working with us actually looks like:
- Mike walks the house himself for every estimate — no commissioned salesperson.
- A small crew, no franchise branches and no subcontracted labor.
- A written, itemized quote before any work starts — you can compare it line for line.
- Careful prep and clean protection of your home before a brush is opened.
- A final walkthrough where every detail is made right before we call it done.
- Backed by a written workmanship guarantee.
Across Lake County and the North Shore.
From our Grayslake shop through the north and northwest suburbs and the lakefront communities.
Work with the owner, start to finish.
Mike walks every home himself — no salesperson, no pressure. Free, itemized estimates across Lake County, Cook County and the North Shore.