Oil paint is the hardest, most durable paint to use for painting cabinets. It takes longer to dry and is harder to clean up, but when applied right and allowed to cure, the result is a finish that can hold up scratches and hard use for years.
But if having kitchen cabinets that are long-lasting and durable, we'd suggest opting for a gloss finish. Even though both satin and semi-gloss finishes are both durable, both have minor disadvantages that gloss does not have. At the end of the day, the finish that you choose is a personal preference.
Things to consider
Kitchen cabinets are painted in industrial settings with industrial-grade paints and equipment that sprays the paint onto the wood surface with high velocity. It is usually lacquer or enamel-type oil-based paint and it might have undergone an additional curing process.
Acrylic Latex Paint: This is a popular choice for cabinets due to its durability, easy cleanup, and low odor. Look for a high-quality, semi-gloss or satin finish for a smooth surface and easy maintenance.
Tikkurila Helmi is an acrylic high performance paint that is specially designed for use on trim and furniture. It is ideal for application to kitchen cabinets as it offers unrivalled opacity & adhesion, creating an incredibly tough film which can be cleaned and washed once dried and cured.
Durability: Satin: While satin paint is durable, it's not as tough as semi-gloss. It can still withstand normal wear and tear, but it might show scratches and scuffs more easily. Semi-Gloss: Semi-gloss paint is more durable due to its higher sheen.
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.
This method is not always the most durable option (spraying cabinet doors usually provides a more durable, even-looking finish), but is recommended for smaller cabinet projects, as it's the most cost-effective option. In fact, brush and roll finish projects will typically save you about 25% off the cost of spraying.
MAGNOLIA HOME BY JOANNA GAINES® TRIM, DOOR + CABINETRY INTERIOR SEMI-GLOSS PAINT 4.5 out of 5 stars, average rating value.
Benjamin Moore Advance
Demonstrating the best that hybrid alkyd enamel paints can be, Benjamin Moore's Advance interior paint was formulated specifically with kitchen cabinets in mind, as well as doors, trim and other high-touch surfaces in the home.
Tip: Emerald® Urethane Trim Enamel in Gloss, Semi-Gloss or Satin sheen is among the best paint for kitchen cabinets because it has excellent flow and leveling characteristics, resulting in a smooth and durable finish.
Wood, wood-laminate and metal cabinets usually can be repainted without difficulty. Plastic laminate cabinets might not accept a topcoat of paint — those that can be refinished often require special paints and techniques, and results can vary.
Melamine finishes are some of the most durable and versatile cabinet finishes out there! Cabinets with a melamine finish are made by heat-sealing thermally fused melamine resin (TFM) to a hard wood substrate such as pressed wood, medium-density fiberboard, or plywood.
How do you make painted cabinets scratch resistant? Scratch resistance for painting kitchen cabinets can be achieved by using high-quality paint with added durability features. This could include an alkyd or polyurethane resin, which is known to provide extra protection against wear and tear.
Once your cabinets are clean and dry, use a 100 or 150-grit sandpaper to roughen up the surface of the cabinets. Cabinet paint won't adhere properly to a smooth or shiny surface. You don't need to completely remove the prior finish, just rough up the surface enough to give the primer something to stick to.
For 10 years, Cabinets To Go has installed cabinetry in HGTV's Dream Home, and we are excited to share the bold designs featuring our Gracious Home and Premiere Custom Cabinetry in this year's home.
The Paint: Roycroft Mist Gray, Sherwin-Willaims
She selected Roycroft Mist Gray for the base cabinets and paired it with neutral Whitetail on the uppers — both Sherwin-Willaims. To complete the trio of shades, she accented the space in matte black.
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.
Since many rooms with cabinets usually get a lot of traffic and activity, you'll want to get this project done fast. Using a Magnum airless paint sprayer will provide the fastest way to achieve a perfect finish.
Roller cabinet painting is a great way to get an even finish on your cabinets with fewer brushstrokes. It's also considerably quicker than using a brush.
The exact lifespan will depend on factors such as the quality of the paint used, how well it was applied, and how much wear and tear your kitchen experiences over time. However, you can generally expect your spray-painted kitchen to last for at least five years, if not longer.
Oil paint: Traditionally, oil paint was the top choice for cabinets because of its smooth finish and superior durability.
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.