Spraying New Cabinets

[ptt49er]

I have both the Harbor Freight sprayer (gifted from a friend) below and a Graco x5 (purchased for some interior painting). The HF sprayer is more of a turbine style.


I'm building our kitchen cabinets and some office cabinets/book shelves and SWMBO has requested a painted finish.

Planning on using Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel. I've sprayed this thru the HF sprayer before and was happy with the results.

Now that I have a choice on which sprayer to use I'm not sure which one would give the best results.

What suggestions do you fine folks have for a newb like me?

TIA!

 

[PCustoms]

If you've used the turbine sprayer and this paint combination successfully before, I would stick with that.

The Graco looks like it's going to be for much bigger projects than fine cabinet painting.

 

[ptt49er]

That's a great point, I think the success was beginners luck.

A bunch of youtube videos show guys using an airless style sprayer getting the doors done, had me questioning which sprayer would be better.

 

[jar944]

I would be inclined to use the graco with a fflp tip.

Double stage turbines don't work all that well with thick paint. I'd also suggest something more durable than trim paint.

Spending all the time and effort to build cabinets you really want the best finish possible.

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

I would be inclined to use the graco with a fflp tip.

Double stage turbines don't work all that well with thick paint. I'd also suggest something more durable than trim paint.

Spending all the time and effort to build cabinets you really want the best finish possible.

Would you have recommendations?

I read nice things about Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, even for kitchen cabinets.

 

[cgrutt]

Are cabinets wood or composite/mdf? I sprayed a kitchen with SW urethane enamel with an airless sprayer and it came out nice. It was an older wood cabinet that had previously been painted. Stripped primed and painted. The urethane enamel flows out nice and leaves a good looking finish. If you're dealing with new wood, I'd consider a pre cat lacquer though. Can leave some grain showing (if you like that look) or use a hi build for more of an enamel look. Colors may be limited but the pre cat lacquer is much more durable for kitchen. Probably should use turbine for lacquer. I sprayed a kitchen I built with pre cat clear over dye with my Fuji turbine and it came out great.

 

[ybnormal]

not to hijack but, I'm going to be doing a kitchen cabinet project here soon but will re-use my existing cabinet doors. is there a way to mark the doors so they go back in their original mounted location? I've literally got 40 cupboard and cabinet doors I'd like to pull off all at once to get them stripped at the same time.

 

[The Cobbler]

is there a way to mark the doors so they go back in their original mounted location

I've numbered doors under the hinges so I know what goes where

 

[ybnormal]

I've numbered doors under the hinges so I know what goes where

changing out the hinges and knobs too, these are 40 yr old cabinets.

 

[ptt49er]

Would you have recommendations?

I read nice things about Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, even for kitchen cabinets.

I'd love to know your recommendations too @jar944.

Are cabinets wood or composite/mdf? I sprayed a kitchen with SW urethane enamel with an airless sprayer and it came out nice. It was an older wood cabinet that had previously been painted. Stripped primed and painted. The urethane enamel flows out nice and leaves a good looking finish. If you're dealing with new wood, I'd consider a pre cat lacquer though. Can leave some grain showing (if you like that look) or use a hi build for more of an enamel look. Colors may be limited but the pre cat lacquer is much more durable for kitchen. Probably should use turbine for lacquer. I sprayed a kitchen I built with pre cat clear over dye with my Fuji turbine and it came out great.

They'll be ply (boxes) and poplar (face frames, doors and drawer fronts).

I've never used pre cat lacquer, I might have to get some to play with. Where should I start learning?

 

[cgrutt]

I'd talk to your SW rep they may need to order it depending on your location. Note be sure to wear respirator etc. You can also buy it online but I don't have experience with colors I've only used clear.

I believe SW pre cat is called Sher Wood

 

[cgrutt]

Here's a post that may be helpful

https://discover.hubpages.com/living/My-Review-of-Sher-Wood-Hi-Bild-Precat-Lacquer-for-Cabinets

 

[ptt49er]

Thanks, @cgrutt!

 

[jar944]

Would you have recommendations?

I read nice things about Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, even for kitchen cabinets.

I'd love to know your recommendations too @jar944.

They'll be ply (boxes) and poplar (face frames, doors and drawer fronts).

I've never used pre cat lacquer, I might have to get some to play with. Where should I start learning?

I would recommend a conversion varnish (CV) or a 2k poly. Both are 2 part (base and catalyst), chemically resistant, abrasion resistant and still more flexible than a lacquer (precat or not) you would not use either in a occupied space (or In a enclosed space without a respirator)

Both lacquer and precat lacquer are exceptionally hard finishes which is great until (not if) they crack/chip. Precat it considerably better but still chips. Shelf edges and door edged chip first. The plus side is its hard to mess up, lays exceptionally flat and is just user friendly. Drys in minutes and you can get primed/sanded/sprayed in no time.

The trim paint isn't as hard as lacquer (but bm advance is really close eventually) and isn't as chemical/abrasion or chip resistant as cv or 2k poly. The up side is its relatively cheap and readily available at your corner paint shop. Emerald has a reputation for not laying flat/having a texture. Advance takes forever (and then longer) to dry and a month to cure. It's also is considerably harder to get a flawless finish with these paints.

Without knowing what you have access to (legally/ locally) I can't recommend a specific type. Spraying in place vs outside or in a booth also changes the options.

 

[Hank11]

Would you have recommendations?

I read nice things about Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, even for kitchen cabinets.

That is excellent paint. I just painted all the doors in my house with it. I used a quarter inch velour nap roller and the finish that resulted has just the tiniest bit of texture but smooth and looks almost factory applied.

I have good HVLP spray equipment and I don’t think it would’ve given me a nicer finish.

The paint is a little sensitive to technique and you do need to pay attention to the instructions. Use oil based primer. I found that coating, when the humidity was very low, it seemed to prevent a smooth flow out or leveling of the finish as it dried.

The paint is very hard and very cleanable. I would not hesitate to use it to paint cabinets.

 

[ptt49er]

They will be sprayed disassembled, either in a temporary "spray booth" in the shop at home or outside.

I have access to our commercial account with Sherwin Williams.

 

[ybnormal]

Here's a post that may be helpful

https://discover.hubpages.com/living/My-Review-of-Sher-Wood-Hi-Bild-Precat-Lacquer-for-Cabinets

that was an EXCELLENT read! I ended up reading most of the author's articles and FINALLY started understanding some of the paint vs lacquer vs catalyzation statements because he explained them very clearly. Thanks for the link!

 

[txvwnut]

I have that same HF sprayer and have painted quite a bit of cabinets and furniture with it. It does a good job the only thing I don't like about it is you can't adjust the fan width on it so you get a ton of overspray. I used Sherwin-Williams paint just don't remember which line but the finish turned out good for the apparatus being used, actually a little better than I expected as I'm used to spraying paint through automotive paint type spray guns.

 

[manwithtools]

I've had good luck with PPG Breakthrough sprayed from a HVLP air gun. As with any paint project, preparation is the key.

 

[ptt49er]

Ended up spraying Kem Aqua with a harbor freight spectrum hvlp gun. Pretty happy with the finish. Lots of learning to do on the whole process but they look good enough for the office.