Type of Paint to Use for Wood Kitchen Cabinets

Oil Based Paint

• Oil paints are traditionally the most used on kitchen cabinets. They form a glossy finish and are still often the choice of professional cabinet makers because they form a harder, more durable and smoother finish. The down side is that they require strong solvents to clean the painting equipment and take a long time to dry, during which time the surface can easily be marked. The smell lingers for days and the fumes may cause allergies. Stripped cabinets or cabinets with a very dark undercoat will need an oil-based primer.

Acrylic or Latex Paint

• Acrylic paint offers the choice of a matte or glossy finish. It is better sprayed on because it is more likely to show brush marks, although the use of a good-quality brush will help prevent this. Cabinet painters often remove the doors and spray them outdoors, and use a paint brush on the framework of the cabinets. Acrylic paints are easy to clean up with soap and water and they dry quickly, allowing for you to apply multiple coats in a short time. Acrylic and latex paint is less toxic than oil-based paint.

Varnish

• You can enhance and protect attractive wood cabinets with a fresh coat of varnish. Varnish is a transparent paint made with natural vegetable oils and resins combined with solvents. Varnish comes in a choice of clear or opaque and has no added stains or colors. Apply a wood stain to change the color of your wood cabinets prior to coating with varnish. Varnish may be oil or water based and can be glossy or matte. It is slow-drying but does not easily show brush strokes.

Polyurethane

• Polyurethane is a type of varnish made from synthetic resins. It is resistant to moisture, heat, chemicals and abrasions and provides an extremely durable finish. Polyurethane can be matte or glossy . A coat of polyurethane is likely to last longer than a varnish finish. You may need multiple coats for polyurethane and varnish, and you must lightly sand each coat to allow the next coat to adhere properly.