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.
Polyurethane, which is a type of varnish, is one of the most commonly used wood finishes today. It can be used in high traffic areas like floors and creates an incredibly hard and resilient coating.
The Strongest Kitchen Cabinet Finish
The most durable kitchen cabinet finish is a catalyzed conversion varnish. This is the most durable finish available for wood. It's chemical and moisture resistant, making it easy to clean. It's also more flexible.
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.
Oil-Based Varnish
They are popular because they are durable and resist stains and moisture. Polyurethane is resistant to heat, chemicals, water, fungus, and mildew. It also protects your cabinets from scratches, dents, and smudges. There are some disadvantages.
Stainless steel, solid wood, and even plywood tend to have a higher price, though these materials are also the most durable options, so the cost may be worth it depending on the quality of the cabinet construction.
If your cabinets have a layer of paint or a clear coat already applied, it's important to strip and sand them before applying a new coat of paint. This will help ensure proper adhesion and prevent potential issues like peeling or chipping.
If you are wondering why your cabinet paint is showing imperfections like bubbling, cracks, and peels, it may be caused by water damage, wear and tear, or an improper original paint job.
“Oil-based paint is the preferred formulation for cabinets due to its leveling qualities while painting, and stain-resistance and clean-up once they're in use,” says Hathaway.
The paint didn't fully cure.
Make sure you've read, understood, and followed the recommendations on the paint you're using when working on a DIY project. After you're done, give it the full cure time before placing furniture, decorations, and other items directly against the painted surface.
Use lighter colors.
A light color on the walls and cabinets instantly brightens a space making it look larger and in turn, more expensive. Light colors reflect light and hide a multitude of sins, including those scratches, dings and dents in your old cabinets.
What Are Builder Grade Cabinets Made Of? A typical builder-grade cabinet is made of an inexpensive wood product, such as particleboard or a cheaper plywood. Many come ready-to-assemble (RTA), meaning they are delivered to you in a flat box to save on shipping costs.
Steer clear of finishes that show fingerprints and water spots like stainless steel or chrome. They're also harder to clean. Oil-rubbed bronze, satin bronze, brushed or polished nickel and white hardware are all much easier to maintain. Choose the finish that matches your style and kitchen design.
Oak and hickory are some of the strongest, most reliable wood species available for custom cabinet doors. They generally cost more, but they mix beauty with long-lasting reliability. If you want doors that resist impacts and warping, these two would be good choices.
A light beech, warm cherry, or dark walnut in a suitable stain should lend a timeless look to your kitchen. Bamboo is another excellent choice for modern kitchens, and hickory has a rustic aesthetic.
Cabinet Quality Grades. Cabinets are grouped into four grades based on quality of construction: ready-to-assemble (RTA), stock, semi-custom and custom. Decide up front on the amount of money to be invested in cabinetry and then browse cabinetry lines and options within your budget.
Made of pressed wood, MD, or plywood topped by a layer of paper coloured with a heat-fused melamine resin, melamine is the least expensive cabinet material. Variety. The assortment of colours and patterns is enormous, including a rather convincing faux wood grain and textured melamine option.
The least expensive type of wood used in kitchen cabinets tends to be pine. Cherry is a slightly more expensive option, while oak is usually about as affordable as its counterparts. Maple is the most expensive type of wood available for kitchen cabinets.
She says light neutrals are generally the best colors for resale because they appeal to most people, but she advises against painting cabinets taupe or beige. “There's the tendency for people to accidentally go too warm—with golden or tan overtones—and then that would be a mistake that's hard to correct.”
The use of particle board in cheaper cabinets
Instead of solid wood or plywood, cheap cabinets usually use particle board for everything from the shelves to the doors to the cabinet box. Particle board is made of wood scraps that have been recycled, including wood chips and sawdust.
Although properly painted cabinets will last 8-10 years, some factors may affect the longevity, requiring them to be repainted only 3-4 years after the initial painting.
If you used oil-based paint, you may not need to seal your cabinets. However, if you use water-based paint, sealing is recommended. Secondly, exposure to moisture and heat can affect the lifespan of the paint. If your cabinets are near a sink or stove, it's a good idea to seal them.