Painting kitchen cabinets

[ed_v]

I have some wood finished cabinets that I would like to paint white. What kind of paint and primer to you suggest? I want a good quality finish. Thanks.

Ed

 

[lacewood]

Hi Ed

I would go with "Fine Paints of Europe"....they make a great oil based product if you like to see the old school brush strokes, and they make a nice acrylic paint that lays down nice and smooth

I am just finishing a kitchen for someone and they wanted all the cabinet doors and trim painted on site, using the oil based paint with brush strokes....looks great

The warehouse is in Vermont, very friendly guys willing to answer any question

http://www.finepaintsofeurope.com/

 

[Dodge]

I did that once. As far as materials I used, I don't remember. But I think the key to a "factory" look, painted cabinet is in the preparation. I completely stripped all the varnish off of my cabinets. Raised panel, so it was quite a job! Stripper and green scotch brites. I did spray my cabinets. They looked like they were bought that way. It was a project that I didn't want to do, wife's idea, but when all done, I was real happy with the new look. Good Luck

 

[bazzateer]

You could try ESP (Every surface primer) it can even be used on tile. Once primed use the top coat paint of your choice.

 

[Dead Skunk]

Years ago we painted the cabinets in the bathroom. Can't remember what we primed with, but the finish coat was a melamine paint. This was back when the boys had to scramble up the doors with the toes of their shoes to reach the taps. The melamine cleaned up with a damp rag, it never chipped or cracked. Put it on with a foam roller and it was a nice smooth finish, as good as the factory finish on any plain white, store bought cabinet.

 

[tcianci]

Give the cabinets a good wash with TSP and then prime them with Bullseye 123 primer, it sands nicely and when you get everything nice and smooth apply your finish with either spray or a firm foam roller

 

[customcab]

Yeah, what he said. I just refinished all the old wooden cabinets in a friends kitchen and I used the same thing. Finished them with a small foam roller added some new stainless hardware and they turned out fantastic.

 

[ed_v]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I think I will start prepping the cabinets this weekend. I will make sure I let you guys know how it goes as the project goes along. That way maybe we can help the next guy who wants to try this!

Ed

 

[jmack]

As others have said, prep is key.

As far as paint, if you want a really nice, incredibly smooth finish, I'd recommend going to your local Sherwin Williams and checking out their "Cashmere" line of paint. The stuff looks incredible when it dries. Plus it'll be a lot cheaper than mail ordering paint online.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Give the cabinets a good wash with TSP and then prime them with Bullseye 123 primer, it sands nicely and when you get everything nice and smooth apply your finish with either spray or a firm foam roller

I agree unless the cabinets are not greasy, you could probably skip the TSP and be alright. If you want them to look nice and smooth, add some Penetrol to an oil based paint - like Rustoleum, and lightly back brush the foam rollered film with a GOOD brush. The paint will flow out really nicely.

Personally, I have not been all that impressed with Flowatrol - which is supposed to work the same way with latex paint. A buddy of mine adds something else to latex that escapes me right now. It's something you wouldn't expect to work at all,...thinking....someone here will chime in with it. Anyway, I've seen the resulting latex finish and it is amazingly smooth - like oil based paint but without the hassle.