What do professionals paint cabinets with?

Author: Josephine Feest  |  Last update: Thursday, November 20, 2025

Professional painters often use high-quality lacquer for cabinet painting to ensure a smooth and durable finish. This process involves removing all hardware from the cabinets, masking off areas not intended for painting, and scuffing every surface with sandpaper or a foam sanding block.

What paint do professional painters use for cabinets?

Many paints and primers are available for professional painters to use when painting kitchen cabinets. Some products professional painters use include Benjamin Moore's Fresh Start® High-Hiding All-Purpose Primer and Advance® Interior Paint.

What finish do professional cabinet makers use?

In addition, cabinet painters choose paints with the optimal shine. High-gloss and semi-gloss paints work best on cabinets because they have a stronger finish when compared to other sheens. They are also easier to clean and maintain than a matte finish.

What paint roller gives the smoothest finish on cabinets?

The two best paint rollers for a smooth finish is a High Density Foam Roller with a Rounded Edge and a Lint Free Low Nap Roller, but I will say that even though both of these are good rollers one wins the prize for the smoothest finish.

How do pros paint cabinets?

Answer: They spray them! We at Paper Moon Painting want your kitchen to look as beautiful as you do, so we always spray our finishes, for a smooth look free of brush strokes or roller marks. This is a big reason why painting cabinets isn't always a great option for a DIY project.

The Absolute Best Paint for Cabinets

How to get the smoothest finish when painting cabinets?

You'll apply primer first with a brush to “cut in” those hard-to-reach crevices and edges, then go back over the surface with a roller. After your primer is dry, sand everything gently with 220-grit sandpaper. Remove dust with a tack cloth or compressed air, and get ready to paint.

What paint finish do professionals use?

Eggshell Paint

Eggshell finish, perennially popular with professional and DIY painters alike, has a low-sheen reminiscent of flat or matte, but it is infinitely more durable than its namesake.

Is it better to paint cabinets with a roller or brush?

Alec Willard, another Purdy professional painter, recommends using a 2-inch bristle brush when painting the small, inside planes of the cabinet base, then finishing the area with a 3/8-inch mini roller.

Do foam rollers leave a smooth finish?

Walls, Wood, and Metal - Small 1/4″ 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 paint rollers do professionals use?

Quality 12mm nap rollers will apply an even paint film to your walls and ceilings and give you a great finish, without splattering paint all over you and the floor. Professional painters actually use 20mm nap rollers on ceilings, and 12mm nap rollers on walls.

What is the most durable finish for cabinets?

Lacquer Cabinet Finish

It's one of the most durable finishes available, and it creates a high-gloss, sleek appearance. Durability: Lacquer is extremely durable, offering excellent protection against moisture, heat, and scratches.

Do professionally painted cabinets hold up?

With proper care of professionally painted kitchen cabinets, you can expect your newly painted cabinets to last 8-10 years! While new cabinets will last you much longer, they will also cost thousands more, which can be an unnecessary expense in some cases.

What do professionals use to refinish kitchen cabinets?

We recommend using one of two products: Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel or Benjamin Moore's Advance. Both of these products will give your cabinets a much longer paint lifespan because they're specifically designed for painting cabinets and trim.

What paint does Joanna Gaines use on cabinets?

MAGNOLIA HOME BY JOANNA GAINES® TRIM, DOOR + CABINETRY INTERIOR SEMI-GLOSS PAINT 4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value.

What is the toughest paint for cabinets?

They are perfect for high-moisture rooms such as kitchens and baths, and are often stain-resistant. New water-based alkyd paints are growing increasingly popular due to their quality, durability and cost-effectiveness. Oil paint is the hardest, most durable paint to use for painting cabinets.

What do painters charge to paint cabinets?

As a general guideline, budget between $30 and $60 for each linear foot of cabinetry. For instance, if your kitchen has 20 linear feet of cabinets, the total cabinet painting cost would fall from $600 to $1,200.

What is the smoothest roller for painting cabinets?

For those looking for paint rollers for a smooth finish, high-density foam rollers should be your first stop. While high-density foam rollers are great, they are not the only option. Lint-free short nap rollers are another excellent choice for achieving a smooth finish.

What are the disadvantages of foam rollers?

There are certain conditions and circumstances where use of a foam roller could be detrimental or damaging to a person's body. Foam rolling exercises load and stress the underlying tissues, including nerves, skin receptors, blood and lymphatic vessels, as well as bones.

How to avoid roller marks when painting cabinets?

Avoiding roller marks is easier than preventing brush marks–just add enough paint to the roller and overlap each stroke of the roller whenever possible. Once you've applied the first coat, check your work thoroughly for any paint drips and brush marks and rectify them before the paint dries.

How to paint cabinets like a pro?

Instructions
  1. Choose your color: ...
  2. Clean your cabinets: ...
  3. Take off doors and drawers: ...
  4. Remove any hardware: ...
  5. Protect contact areas: ...
  6. Scuff any wood to be painted: ...
  7. Prime the cabinets: ...
  8. Start painting:

Do professional painters use brush or roller?

Professional painters typically use both brushes and rollers when painting. Brushes are used to apply paint in tight spaces or areas with intricate details, while rollers are used for larger surfaces like walls and ceilings.

How do you get the smoothest finish when painting cabinets?

It is important to sand down the top layer of protective finish, if you are painting existing kitchen cabinets, or to use a degreaser. I use 120-grit sandpaper to level out any imperfections in my cabinets, then finish with 220 grit for a smooth surface. Vacuum and wipe down any debris with a tack cloth.

What gives the smoothest paint finish?

Without sanding, the new coat of paint might peel or cause an orange peel texture. Once sanded, clean the entire surface and scrub away any leftover dust, debris, or grime. Keep in mind that nothing gets smoother by adding more paint, it only gets smoother by sanding between coats.

What paint do professional painters prefer?

Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore are some of the best paint brands on earth. Both painting companies make quality paint used widely by professional painters and DIY-warrior homeowners alike.

How do I make my paint job look professional?

Top 10 Ways to Paint Like a Pro
  1. Wait for Dry Weather. ...
  2. Do a Thorough Visual Inspection and Prep. ...
  3. Buy High-Quality Brushes, Roller Covers, and Painter's Tape. ...
  4. Know Your Nap. ...
  5. Protect Anything You Don't Want Painted. ...
  6. Remove Light Switch and Outlet Covers. ...
  7. Use Primer. ...
  8. 8. Box Your Paint.

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