How do you get the smoothest finish when painting cabinets?

Author: Nelle Ernser  |  Last update: Friday, August 4, 2023

A: In order to get a factory finish look on cabinets when you paint them yourself, you will actually use both a brush and a roller. However, the majority of the painting will be done with a roller. Specifically, a foam roller with give you the smoothest finish when painting cabinets.

How do you get super smooth paint on cabinets?

Using a paint sprayer is one of the easiest ways to get a super smooth finish on your cabinets. By their very nature, paint sprayers eliminate brush strokes and roller marks completely.

How do I prevent brush marks when painting cabinets?

The easiest approach to avoid brush marks when painting kitchen cabinets is to follow a specific process such as painting in a single direction, applying numerous layers, and using high-quality materials.

How do you get a perfect finish on cabinets?

Foam Roller vs Spraying

If you want a super smooth finish on your cabinet doors, I strongly recommend spraying them instead of using a brush and roller. While a foam roller does produce a smooth finish, they still leave stippling on the surface, not to mention the work will take much longer to finish.

How to get a smooth finish when painting kitchen cabinets with a roller?

Use your roller to gently smooth out any overlapping brush marks or paint drips. The key here is using thin coats of paint. This will limit the number of drips, pooling, and any other blemishes that can happen when painting. It will also give the cabinets a smoother finish in the end.

Get A Factory Finish On Your Painted Cabinets |Step By Step | THE HANDYMAN |

Is it better to roll on or brush on paint kitchen cabinets?

On the fronts and backs of drawers and doors, you can use a roller. This will apply the paint in a more smooth and even manner and is much faster than only using a paint brush. Then, use a brush for touching up small areas or for hard-to-reach spots.

What type of paint roller gives the smoothest finish?

Walls, Wood, and Metal - Small 1/4″ nap roller covers or foam rollers will produce the smoothest finish. Light to Medium Textured Surfaces - Microfiber rollers are best. Smooth Surfaces - Use a white woven short nap roller for an ultra fine finish.

What is the best finish for painted kitchen cabinets?

There are many types of paint to choose from, but the best paint for kitchen cabinets is semi-gloss, gloss or satin. Matte is not practical in kitchens and baths where you will need durable paint you can easily clean.

What finish do professional cabinet makers use?

CONVERSION VARNISH vs LACQUER

For the best custom cabinet finish, our choice is Conversion Varnish (CV) over Lacquer, and here's why… The CV topcoat is extremely durable and easy to clean. It is resistant to heat, water, wear, solvents, acids, and alkalis.

What finish is best for painted cabinets?

But if your kitchen cabinet finish's durability is a high priority, there is no better option than a high gloss finish. A gloss finish will give you the durability you need in a busy kitchen where scratches, dings, and dents are likely to occur.

Should I use a foam brush to paint cabinets?

Invest in higher-quality foam brushes with dense foam, good-quality glue and a securely-attached head for larger projects. Because foam brushes are so affordable, many people prefer to use them with oil-based paints, which are often more difficult to remove from brushes.

What do you add to paint to reduce brush strokes?

Floetrol is a latex and acrylic paint additive used as a conditioner to help reduce build up on paint brushes, eliminate brush marks, reduces wear and tear on spray guns and it extends drying time. It's made and distributed by Flood.

Should you sand between coats of paint on cabinets?

Between coats, sand the surfaces lightly, making sure to clean up the debris afterward. Apply a second coat to the cabinet. This coat should provide a perfect, consistent finish without any thin or light areas where wood might show through.

Should I sand final coat of paint on cabinets?

Painted cabinets should get a thorough sanding with 120-grit paper, but no matter the finish, do a final pass with 220-grit. Use a sanding sponge to dig into any tough areas that need special attention or corners that are hard to get with your sander.

How do you paint cabinets and make them look good?

  1. Step 1: Gather painting supplies. ...
  2. Step 2: Remove cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. ...
  3. Step 3: Clean the cabinetry. ...
  4. Step 4: Use wood filler to repair scuffs and nicks. ...
  5. Step 5: Sand the cabinet doors. ...
  6. Step 6: Apply a coat of primer. ...
  7. Step 7: Sand the cabinet doors again. ...
  8. Step 8: Paint the kitchen cabinets.

What do professional painters use to paint cabinets?

We usually use professional-grade lacquer because it has a lovely, silky-smooth feel to it, and is what cabinet manufacturers use. We think it's the best paint for cabinets, hands-down (although there are some great pro-level water-based options as well).

How do you paint cabinets like a professional?

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets like a Pro
  1. Step 1: Consider Cost and Time. ...
  2. Step 2: Examine Your Cabinets. ...
  3. Step 3: Prep the Space. ...
  4. Step 4: Remove the Doors and Hardware. ...
  5. Step 5: Apply Liquid Sandpaper. ...
  6. Step 6: Choose Your Paint and Application Tools. ...
  7. Step 7: Apply Primer and Paint. ...
  8. Step 8: Put It All Back Together.

What is the most popular cabinet finish?

Paint is the most popular finish for kitchen cabinets because it's easy to clean and maintain. It also has a wide variety of colors to choose from, so you can easily find a shade that matches your décor.

Should I paint my kitchen cabinets satin or semi-gloss?

Kitchen walls and especially kitchen cabinets require a paint finish that's tough, easy to wipe down, and attractive. Satin and eggshell paint finishes work well for kitchen walls, while semi-gloss proves best for kitchen cabinets.

What is the best paint to use on kitchen cabinets without sanding?

GF Milk Paint is incredibly high-quality acrylic paint with EXCELLENT adhesion (so good that you can even paint laminate cabinets with it). It has low VOCs and is incredibly durable, so it is a great choice for painting kitchen cabinets without sanding or priming. It also really minimizes brush strokes!

Is there a difference between cabinet paint and regular paint?

Cabinet paints have higher costs because they contain more resins, which makes them more resistant to scratches, staining, and fading. In addition, they are often formulated with special pigments that help to camouflage imperfections and provide a high-quality finish.

Does a brush or roller give a smoother finish?

Professional home painting services can tell you that, generally speaking, rollers provide smoother, more even results with less effort than brushes. This makes sense, considering the size, capacity, and mechanics of rollers allow for more coverage with fewer strokes.

Is a foam roller better than a nap roller for cabinets?

The longer the nap the more surface is sticking to the furniture and the shorter the nap the smoother the finish. A lot of people think that no nap (a foam roller) would produce a smooth finish but a foam roller produces flashing.

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