Should I Urethane My Kitchen Cabinets After Painting Them?

Advantages of Painting

• Creating an attractive finish on your kitchen cabinets is possible for the do-it-yourselfer. Some choose to restain cabinets, but there are some advantages to painting. When cabinets become nicked and chipped over time, a good paint job can cover those imperfections while giving your kitchen a fresh look. If you decide to change the hardware, paint will conceal any repair work that is necessary. Choosing white or a cream color will brighten the room, although your color choices are endless.

Paint

• You can paint your cabinets with either oil-based or latex paint, since both will provide a durable finish. Latex paint dries quickly and cleans up easily with soap and water but does require two to three weeks to cure properly, making it susceptible to scrapes and nicks until it cures. An acrylic latex paint adheres better and is more durable than vinyl latex. Either semigloss or glossy paints are suitable for kitchen cabinets. The higher the gloss, the easier it is to wash off spills and stains. Oil-based paints are known to be harder and more durable, but have the disadvantage of strong fumes and a messy clean-up. Whatever type of paint you choose, start by applying a compatible primer.

Polyurethane

• A polyurethane finish is not necessary over painted cabinets, if you use a good paint. Polyurethane seals the cabinet in a durable plastic coating which can reduce wear and tear on cabinets. The coating is resistant to chemicals and water. Polyurethane finishes are available in a choice of low gloss, satin or high gloss. If you apply a polyurethane finish over white paint, be aware that the finish will yellow over time.

Tips

• Remove all of the cabinet hardware prior to beginning your painting project. If you are changing the hardware, purchase it before you paint so you will know if you need to fill in existing holes and drill new ones. A clean, grease-free surface is critical when painting kitchen cabinets or the paint will not adhere well. Clean all surfaces thoroughly with a soap and water solution. If the existing finish on the cabinets is glossy, you will also need to sand them just enough to rough up the surface. You will get the best results if you work in a dust-free location for painting and, if you choose, applying a polyurethane finish.