Latex paints are the preferred type of paint for kitchen cabinets and come in several finishes. The options are matte, semi-gloss, gloss, and satin. Avoid matte paints, as they are challenging to clean.
Hybrid enamel paint is often considered the best for kitchen cabinets because of its low-maintenance properties. Hybrid formulations do not emit as many fumes or VOCs and are easier to clean up with soap and water. They are strongly adhesive. Alkyd paints require less prep work and without sanding.
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.
The risk you run with not sanding is that your new paint job will chip almost immediately after it's dried. For most experts, like Dan McRorie of Fitzwater Interiors, creating a smooth, even surface is the single most important part of the project—even if you're going from a stain to a color.
That may get you wondering if you need a primer for cabinets. The fact is, applying primer is an important step in the painting process. Primer provides a suitable surface for the paint to stick to, helping it to last longer and look better.
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.
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.
“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. “Latex paint offers easy cleanup but doesn't have the ease of care that oil-based paint offers.”
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.
Then, hang it next to your backsplash and appliances to make sure it really works. Whether you're using a paint sprayer or brush, start with the doors and drawers; they take the longest, since you need to paint both sides and let them fully dry in between the two top coats.
Whether or not you sand the cabinets before painting, you will want to use an interior enamel paint designed for cabinets, doors, or trim. Most cabinet paints are satin or semi-gloss.
Given this level of use, it's no wonder cabinet paints are designed to be more durable than wall paints. That's right; cabinet paint is generally more resistant to chipping, scratching, and staining than wall paint.
For Those Who Crave Color
For an extra smooth and professional-looking finish, many paint experts recommend spray painting kitchen cabinets.
Latex paints are the preferred type of paint for kitchen cabinets and come in several finishes. The options are matte, semi-gloss, gloss, and satin.
A gallon of paint covers about 400 square feet, so one should be enough for your kitchen cabinets. You might realize you want a hardware refresh or need some new hinges as you get started, which can bump up the cost to redo your kitchen cabinets.
Overall, the best finish for painting cabinets is semi-gloss. It ensures maximum durability and is ideal for high moisture areas like bathrooms and basements. I have painted all the natural oak cabinets in my home in a variety of colors using semi-gloss.
The two most common types of paint sheen are semi-gloss and satin. A standard scheme uses satin paint for the cabinets and matte for the walls.
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.
Naturally, you'll want to select a kitchen cabinet paint color that you'll be happy to live with for a while to come. But you might also want to consider the decorative power of white – the most popular kitchen cabinet color.
Paint the cabinet boxes
If you're using roughly the same shade as the existing color, two coats ought to do the job. You might even get away with one. Painting over a dark finish with a light color is tougher and could require three coats. Break out a new brush for each coat.
Firstly, the type of paint you used. 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.
Painting the inside of your kitchen cabinets is a matter of personal preference; many homeowners opt to leave these surfaces as bare substrate. The two main design approaches for painting interior cabinetry include: Adding a softer color to contrast the outside cabinet paint color.