Asked on Aug 24, 2016

Kitchen cabinets too shiny

Teri
by Teri
My kitchen cabinets were spray painted with automotive paint. I love them but they are a bit shiny. Is there a way to tone the shine down?
  14 answers
  • RichandTammy Whiteside RichandTammy Whiteside on Aug 24, 2016
    Boy they certainly are shiny! If you are not happy with them, please check out the following link: http://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/71996/...
  • Just Joan Just Joan on Aug 24, 2016
    If it was doors & drawers, they can be removed & a clear satin or matte finish can be applied over the gloss. A light sanding with super fine sand paper & a clean should be done first. Will you do them yourself with spray cans or have someone else do them?
  • CK CK on Aug 24, 2016
    Well at least you won't need a mirror in your kitchen! LOL, I'm just joking....No but seriously, I feel your pain. You've spent money to have them done professionally expecting the result to be what you had in mind. Now they're not quite living up to your expectations. I would go back to the auto shop, tell them your dilemma, and see what they can do. Since they used automotive primer & paint, you might not want to 'mix it up' with something of a DIY version. But they'll be able to let you know what can be done. They are quite pretty....and shiny like a brand new car. :-) P.S. My friend just had hers done by an auto shop too...her's didn't seem so shiny. I suppose she asked for satin finish top coat........... )
    • Teri Teri on Aug 24, 2016
      Our body shop said all they could do was shiny . We really like them except for the shine
  • Anna Smith Anna Smith on Aug 24, 2016
    Mine are similar. wot a pest!
  • William William on Aug 24, 2016
    You can try a green Scotch Brite pad to remove some of the shine. Rub gently to get the desired sheen. Try in a small inconspicuous area first. Then wipe them down with some vinegar and water.
  • Jen R Jen R on Aug 25, 2016
    I have no experience at all with this, but I'm wondering if some of the waxes that I've seen with people who have refinished furniture would work. If you do a search for painted furniture, you can find the products I am referring to. Is there an inconspicuous place you could try? Did they also paint the inside of the cabinet and perhaps try there? Good luck, I have to believe there is a product out there (somewhere) that would dull them a bit. Another thought that just popped into my head - go to a local paint store and see if staff there have any suggestions.
  • Connie Connie on Aug 25, 2016
    You could apply another lower gloss finish like a satin finish. Test in an obscure area to see if it works first. Follow instructions on the can or ask the paint store expert what could tone it down.
  • Ian Grobler Ian Grobler on Aug 25, 2016
    Sand them lightly with Scotch Brite and paint them with Rustoleum matt clear laquer available in spray cans.
  • Annie Doherty Annie Doherty on Aug 25, 2016
    As Ian's response gentle rub down, than I would use eggshell water based paint to give a washable but matt finish.
  • Susan Franks Susan Franks on Aug 26, 2016
    I would ask an automobile painting business what I can use to get a matte finish without ruining the finish.
  • Teri Teri on Sep 08, 2016
    I have tried several of your suggestions but it hasn't helped much. I tried a Deglosser too - unsuccessful. Now I am wondering if I can just repaint them with Chaulk paint. Any input on doing this?? I didn't want to paint them but chaulk paint would mean no priming or sanding
  • Susan Franks Susan Franks on Sep 09, 2016
    Nothing will adhere to such a shiny surface. I don't even know if a primer will. Usually washing the doors with TSP will degloss a paint but this is automotive paint. Sanding them lightly might help. I don't mean sanding it all off, just roughing it up a bit. That will give something else something to grip to.
  • Annie Doherty Annie Doherty on Sep 10, 2016
    Susan Zinsser's Bullseye 123 primer is absolutely brilliant and will adhere to this type of surface, can be used on melamine also, which tends to be tricky. Personally I would sand lightly, prime then use either an Eggshell (washable ) or a matt finish. Maybe Teri doesn't want to go this far, she maybe just wants to paint over?
  • Jill taylor Jill taylor on Apr 20, 2023

    Try a dry magic eraser. I have old cabinets finished in Shellac and it worked for me. Good luck.