What kind of paint should I use on my kitchen cabinets?

While oil-based paints make a case for themselves with their reputation for easy application and a long-lasting finish that can be scrubbed and cleaned regularly, latex paint is widely regarded as the best choice for most kitchen cabinets, since it offers lower levels of VOCs and is quicker to dry.

What kind of paint is most durable for kitchen cabinets?

For painting your kitchen cabinets, the best paint is one that's consistently easy to apply. ProClassic Alkyd Interior Enamel is a traditional oil-based paint that when fully cured (21 to 30 days), provides a harder, more durable finish than latex or acrylic paints.

What do professionals use to paint kitchen cabinets?

Many professionals now use latex paint, citing the improvements to the formula and the as-good-as finish they can get on most surfaces. We actually prefer a third type of paint for cabinets, the hybrid enamel.

Do you need special paint for cabinets?

Choose a high-quality paint. Special cabinet paints are available that provide a smooth finish, but any high-quality paint should work. Make sure your paint is acrylic, not vinyl. Acrylic latex-based paint is durable and easy to clean up.

Can I just paint over my kitchen cabinets?

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.

What Is The Best Kitchen Cabinet Paint

What happens if you don't sand cabinets before painting?

If you don't clean before sanding, contaminates (like cooking grease) will be pressed down into the wood. Contaminates will keep the soon be applied paint for sticking. You can remove the doors here in the process or wait until after you wash them down. It is totally up to you and situational dependent.

How can I paint my kitchen cabinets without brush marks?

If your cabinets are stained, apply at least two coats of quality primer. For me, there's nothing better than BIN, Zinsser's shellac-based pigmented primer. It dries fast and flat, without brush marks (unlike most oil-based primers). You can buy it at home and hardware stores, as well as online (view on Amazon).

Should cabinets be satin or semi-gloss?

While satin finishes tend to be fairly durable in high traffic areas, they're not as durable and versatile as semi-gloss against mildew and mold. Kitchen cabinets in high moisture environments can, therefore, do better with semi-gloss paints.

Should you roll or brush cabinets?

For wood, brushing is fine, but you may want to hire a professional for a good finish. Using a roller to paint cabinets is a lot faster than brush painting, however, the fabric on the roller will create a 'bobbly' texture on the surface. The texture a roller puts on cabinets makes it unsuitable for gloss paint.

Is there a difference between cabinet paint and regular paint?

The two primary differences between oil-based paint and latex-based paint on kitchen cabinets are final texture and dry time. Oil-based is more traditional and popular with purists who like the “painterly” look of brush marks, while latex gives a more consistent finish.

Do you need to prime cabinets before painting?

While priming never hurts, whether it's necessary or not is determined by the type of paint (oil or latex) currently on your cabinets and the type you plan to use for repainting. If you're changing the type of paint or painting over natural wood cabinets, then it's important to prime the cabinets first.

Can I paint kitchen cabinets without sanding?

Yes, it is possible to paint cabinets without sanding.

How many gallons of paint do I need for cabinets?

Typically, you will use about 1 gallon of paint for every 350 square feet of surface you want to paint. That surface area includes walls, ceilings, trim, doors, and so on.

How do you get professional finish on painted 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. And painting with a paint sprayer is almost always faster than using a paint roller and paint brush.

Do painted cabinets hold up well?

They might get the job done, but they'll require more frequent touch-ups over time. For a long-lasting finish that holds up better to wear and tear, Kardel recommends using enamel paint formulated for cabinets, or even industrial equipment enamels, which are more dense and dry harder.

Do painted cabinets chip easily?

Friction from loose hardware can cause paint to tear, chip and peel, even if you've used the best paint for kitchen cabinets. Regularly tighten hardware to prevent it from contributing to a paint chipping problem. Sometimes the paint on kitchen cabinets peels behind closed doors — literally.

How do you paint cabinets without leaving brush strokes?

How many coats of paint do I need for cabinets?

It's important to add 3 coats to your doors for a professional finish. It starts with 1 coat of stain blocking primer and is followed up with 2 coats of cabinet paint. Sometimes an extra coat of paint is required when dark cabinets are being painted white.

How do I get a smooth finish on kitchen cabinets?

What is the most popular finish for kitchen cabinets?

Semi-Gloss Finish

As the most popular sheen, semi-gloss provides your kitchen cabinets with a nice shine that is not overbearing.

What finish is best for cabinets?

So if you want a kitchen cabinet paint which is durable and doesn't show imperfections easily, use oil-based matte and satin finishes.

Is eggshell paint good for kitchen cabinets?

Paint finishes come in gloss, semi-gloss, satin, eggshell and matte, any of which can be used on your cabinets. Gloss and semi-gloss - Both create a shiny appearance, making them great for trim. They wipe up quickly and easily, which can make them attractive for some busy kitchens.

Do you paint both sides of kitchen cabinet doors?

Doors typically require a good amount of time, because you need to paint both sides and let them fully dry in between coats. You can begin with the back side of your cabinet doors. Apply one coat, wait 24 hours and then move on to your second coat of paint.

Can you use a sponge brush to paint cabinets?

A foam brush simplifies the painting process and is disposable. This brush readily absorbs paint, and its sharply molded corners give you better precision when painting the corners and paneled architectural features of the cupboard.

Should I use enamel paint on kitchen cabinets?

Enameling is ideal for high use areas like kitchen cabinets. One of the most important reasons why enamel is popular is because of its durability. Enamel has a smooth surface that does not collect dirt as easily so it is easy to clean, and also resists marring and scratching, and looks beautiful.