How SheenWise researches and tests
In short: we only call something first-hand if we have used it on real jobs, we label everything else as researched, every number comes from a source we link, and we update the date on a guide only when we have actually re-checked it.
What do "first-hand", "mixed" and "researched" mean?
Every guide carries one of three labels in the box at the top:
| Label | What it means |
|---|---|
| First-hand | We have used what we recommend on real jobs. |
| Mixed | Some of what is covered we have used; the rest is researched, and the article says which is which. |
| Researched | We have not used the products covered. The guide is built from manufacturer documentation and other named sources. |
Today, the first-hand experience behind SheenWise is professional cabinet refinishing and a few years of daily use of Jobber to run a refinishing business. We have not used Housecall Pro or CompanyCam.
Do you run lab tests?
No. We do not run controlled lab tests, and we will not describe anything as "tested" unless we did it. Our product and process advice comes from real client work, and where we lean on someone else's data, we name and link it.
Where do the numbers come from?
- Paint and primer: the manufacturer's technical data sheet (dry, recoat and cure times, application temperatures).
- Safety: government sources such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- Software: the vendor's own help center and pricing pages. We link pricing pages instead of quoting prices, because prices and plan names change.
Each guide lists its sources at the bottom. If we cannot source a number, we leave it out.
How do you use AI?
We use AI tools to help research, draft and organize articles. A person with hands-on refinishing experience reviews every recommendation and every experience claim before it is published. AI is never used to invent reviews, quotes, test results or experiences.
How are guides updated and corrected?
- Each guide shows when it was first published and when it was last updated. We change the "Updated" date only when we have re-checked the content, not for cosmetic edits.
- Vendor features, plan limits and offers are re-checked against the vendor's site whenever a guide is updated.
- If you spot an error, tell us and we will fix it and note the change.
Do affiliate commissions affect recommendations?
No. Some links are paid links, labeled "(paid link)". A commission never decides what we recommend, and if a cheaper or non-affiliate option is better, we say so. Details are on our disclosure page.
Who is responsible for this content?
SheenWise is written by Brandon, a professional cabinet refinisher. More on the About page.