Get a professional paint job with waterborne alkyd, which we consider the best.
Keep in mind that spraying your kitchen cabinets vs. using a paintbrush will yield a more professional finish.
Learn more about each option, plus the pros and cons of each technique.
The Spruce / Madelyn Goodnight
Oil-based paints make a surface super easy to clean.
However, oil-based paints have some flaws that become especially hard to ignore when painting cabinets.
While oil-based paint goes on smoothly, it takes a long time to dry between coatsup to 16 hours.
The Spruce / Madelyn Goodnight
You may wait days for the paint to dry in a kitchen without good air circulation.
Keeping the cabinets empty for days as the paint dries is a nuisance.
Additionally, surfaces covered in oil-based paint can look yellowed and dingy over time.
Using paint high in VOCs near food, spices, and utensils can be especially dangerous.
Advances in water-based paint formulas have made it much easier to use latex paint for kitchen cabinets.
Many latex paints are now produced with greater durability for cleaning and can stand up to a good scrubbing.
This is a must for a kitchen, so look for washable or scrubbable paint.
Whenpainting wood cabinets, properly prep the surface before using latex paint.
If you want an even look, do the prep work.
Alkyd paints are your go-to product if you want to paint kitchen cabinets like a professional.
Alkyd paint is not typically used on walls but is commonly used on metal or wood and cabinets.
It is a good choice for cabinetry because it has a hard and durable finish.
If you have to paint over alkyd, use another alkyd paint or oil-based paint for the best results.
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 with soap and water.
They are very adhesive.
Alkyd paints require less prep workor sanding.
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Types of Kitchen Cabinet Surfaces: Which Paint Is Best?
The first thing to know is whattype of materialyour kitchen cabinets are made.
Do you have solid wood cabinets, or are they composed of wood veneer over particle board?
Are your cabinets made from MDF orlaminate?
Each of these materials will impact which key in of paint you select.
Sanding the surface helps prep it for paint, resulting in a better bond and smoother finish.
This is crucial if your wood cabinets are already stained or have a glossy finish.
You will needsandpaper or a liquid deglosserto remove this key in of finish.
If your wood cabinets are bare, natural wood, they probably need little or no sanding.
However, they will absorb a lot of paint, especially if you go with water-based latex.
A primer will assist in making sure the coverage is even and thorough.
Repair these first with wood glue before sanding the surface.
MDF Cabinets
It’s easy topaint MDFkitchen cabinets if they are prepped properly.
It’s important to use an oil-based primer for MDF.
The material is porous and water-based primers can swell the surface.
Laminate is a printed plastic that is adhered to a base layer (usually a composite material).
The material is slick, so ensure the prep work is done properly for a quality finish.
To help, opt for a laminate-specific primer or paint.
These products are specially designed to bond to the shiny surface of the laminate.
It is a newer hybrid category of alkyd paint and can be used on all kitchen cabinet surfaces.
Waterborne alkyd paint self-levels, looks smooth when dry, and cleans up easily.
It has lower VOCs than traditional alkyd paint.
Its biggest downfall is that it’s higher priced than other paints.
Choosing Primer for Kitchen Cabinets
Priming kitchen cabinetshelps block stains and prevent mold and mildew growth.
It also allows the paint to adhere better to avoid peeling or chipping.
Look for one that is listed as a bonding primer that promotes adhesion.
If using waterborne alkyd paint, choose a primer formulated specifically for that finish.
Tip
There may be instances when you do not need primer to paint kitchen cabinets.
For example, milk paint may not require priming.
Tips for Painting Cabinets
Pro painters typically use professional-grade lacquer or alkyds for kitchen cabinets.
It’s almost always best to prime most kitchen cabinets before painting for a better-looking, longer-lasting paint job.
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Repainting Cabinets in a Few Easy Steps.Glidden.
