For the most durable and best-performing kitchen cabinet paint, acrylic latex is highly recommended due to its rapid drying time and low VOC emissions. Painting kitchen cabinets isn’t as simple as grabbing a can of eggshell paint. It requires more planning than just painting a wall. You’ll need to remove the cabinet doors first. Think of it as a way to revitalize your old cabinets. Make 2025 the year your house truly feels like a home. Transform a typical kitchen into the heart of your home by using the best paint for your cabinets. Explore frequently asked questions about cabinet paint, with answers to provide clarity.
What are the Most Popular Paints for Cabinets?
Paint technology has advanced substantially, as you’ll see in the following sections. Oil-based paint is no longer the top choice for cabinets and isn’t ideal for general household use, although some still prefer it for its perceived durability. Many professionals now favor latex paint due to its improved formula and finish quality on various surfaces. Discover the most frequently used cabinet paints that enhance surface quality and transform the aesthetic of your cabinets.
Acrylic Latex Paint
Acrylic latex paint is both easy to maintain and durable.Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using latex paints. A gloss finish will make your cabinets shine but will also highlight any imperfections. Kitchen cabinets are typically finished with a semi-gloss or satin sheen. These paints have improved significantly, leading some professionals to entirely abandon oil-based paints.
Acrylic latex paints are more consumer-pleasant than oil-based paints as they dry quickly and clean up with water. However, many professionals still prefer oil-based topcoats for their stronger, more durable paint layer and smoother, more polished finish. This type of paint can take longer to fully cure than oil-based paints, making them susceptible to damage in the meantime.
Hybrid enamel Paint
Scientific advancements didn’t stop with latex. The quest for a superior finish and excellent protection for painted wood led researchers to develop low-VOC paints. A few years ago, they found the solution: acrylic alkyd paint. It offers the beautiful sheen of oil paint with the easy cleanup of water-based paint. The pigment is carried by an oil molecule surrounded by water molecules. As the water evaporates, the oil remains, providing the shiny, durable finish we mentioned earlier.
Cleaning is as simple as using soap and water. If you have leftover paint, simply let it dry before disposing of it – no need for special trips to hazardous waste disposal sites. You can also choose your preferred method for painting your kitchen cabinets. A paint sprayer will provide the easiest and most even coat. Though, whether you brush or roll the paint onto your wood cabinets, hybrid enamel paint will deliver excellent results.
oil-Based Paint
Using oil-based paint for interior painting is a significant undertaking for home improvements. In this method, the color pigment is contained in oil and thinned with a solvent like mineral spirits. It was once the preferred type of slow-drying paint for wood in homes due to its consistent finish. It’s also durable, making it ideal for high-use areas like trim and cabinets. For a long time, it was considered the best paint for cabinets.
What’s Better: Spraying or Rolling?
A sprayed-on finish offers the best possible result, but it requires a learning curve to master. you’ll likely need to rent spray equipment, increasing the cost, and you’ll have to carefully mask off all areas in the kitchen that could be accidentally sprayed, such as countertops, cabinet interiors, and appliances, which is a time-consuming process.
Therefore, we highly recommend using high-quality brushes instead. Invest in a good 3- to 4-inch-wide square brush with straight edges for accurate work on large, flat panels, and an angled brush in the 2 1/2- to 3-inch-wide range to reach into the corners of doors with molding and coat door frames in a single pass. Use a water-resistant synthetic bristle brush for latex paint and a natural-bristle brush for oil-based paint.