What kind of paint to use on kitchen cabinets?

Virginia
by Virginia

I want to know what kind of paint to use on kitchen cabinets. My cabinets are getting old and I want to give them a new look. I have been inspired by Hometalk to go ahead and do this myself, but I need y'alls help. What is the best paint for cabinets? I'm asking about the type of paint, but I'd also like to know what is the best brand of paint for kitchen cabinets?

  8 answers
  • Benjamin Moore advance is great for this! I talk about it here~> http://thatsweettealife.com/painted-rocking-chair/ I recommend it for cabinets

  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Dec 02, 2018

    Virginia. Use a high gloss, the brand I don't know, we painted ours about 10 years ago. The high gloss is very easy to clean, wet sponge or dish rag. I'd wash them first with Murphy's Oil Soap, to clean the grease off. Take the doors off and spray paint the hardware. Always paint doors, any doors on a flat surface, this avoids streaks and peeling. Murphy's Oil Soap, can be found in the supermarket, with the cleaners. Aloha!

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    • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Dec 04, 2018

      Virginia, Our cabinets were cheap, almost like plywood. I cleaned them, an let them dry completely. If your painting over wood, just paint. If it's say laminate, I'd check with the paint department at Home Depot or Lowe's about a primer. My cabinets are a beautiful high gloss white, it's been 10 years and it looks like new. What a difference it made, and my walls are an apricot color, and my appliances are black and stainless steel. Aloha!

  • Pamela Pamela on Dec 02, 2018

    when I was getting ready to paint my cabinets I did a lot of research and narrowed it down to 2, either chalk paint and seal it with a wax or use what my niece used , which was a hybrid of a water based paint that dried like an enamel finish. I chose to use what my niece used. What I liked about both of these methods was you didn't need to sand or use a primer !!! I used Benjamin Moore's advance paint. It cost about $40 and I had a lot left over ! And my cabinets came out great !!! I did this about 2 years ago and they have held up great. I can wipe them down , if I find something dripped on them, without fear of the paint coming off !

    I posted a tutorial on homework about how I did it , step by step...look up

    Kitchen re do from ugly 70's to vintage cottage . Good luck !!!

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    • Pamela Pamela on Dec 03, 2018

      No, I don't think it has a primer built in, I was told that the difference between advance paint and other water based paint like a latex paint is that dried to a much harder surface , much like a hard enamel . Also it is self leveling , meaning that you won't see brush or roller marks, the paint levels out . As for the washing up with soap and water, that is true if you wash up right away , if it sits a while you will be in for some good scrubbing. When I painted my cabinets all I did to prep them was to use a spray cleaner/ de glosser called Krud Kutter, about $6 at home depot. After that no sanding or primer was necessary , I had oak cabinets that I painted white. When I painted my countertops

      I also used the same advance paint ( in a different color ) and because the counters were such a smooth shiny Formica , it was recommended to lightly sand and use a primer. I also used the de glosser first. I also want to say , I used 2 coats of paint on both the cabinets & countertops .

  • Rob a Job Rob a Job on Dec 02, 2018

    Enamel paint to the colour you want should do the job. 2 coats Let it dry between coats.


    • Virginia Virginia on Dec 03, 2018

      Thank you Rob. Will I need to sand before applying enamel paint? What about chalk paint (that seems to be a popular suggestion here)? Is there a reason you don't recommend it (I've been told it's easier to use)?

  • Seth Seth on Dec 02, 2018

    We used a paint called Cabinet Coat. Benjamin Moore may have bought them out, but they still sell it I think.

    • Virginia Virginia on Dec 03, 2018

      Thanks Seth. Just wondering if you have any experience with chalk paint, since it needs less prep.

  • For kitchens and baths I prefer at least a semi gloss or gloss paint. Easy to wipe down when needed. My personal preference is for a stand alone paint store like Sherwin Williams or Dunn Edwards. Well trained staff and better products. And if you are going to go through the work, you want it to last.

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    • In my house, yes, on any painted door jambs where people tend to place their hands. I have visiting children and lots of pets, and want easy to wipe down surfaces to keep them clean and disinfected. I have a mid 80's box house and the windows are just a hole in the wall with sheetrock sills, so I painted all the sills in gloss paint so they are easy to dust.

  • Seth Seth on Dec 03, 2018

    Sorry! Never used chalk paint so I'm no help there. If your cabinets are veneered, you need to sand very gently or use a deglosser or you will go right through the veneer if you get to aggressive with it.

  • Hi Virginia! I can tell you how to paint your kitchen cabinets with Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint! :)



    It is super easy to paint with Dixie Belle:



    Step one: Clean with White Lightning


    Step two: Paint one to two coats of Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint


    Step three: Use Gator Hide for a water-resistant finish



    I am attaching some kitchens that have been painted with Dixie Belle Paint so you can see the outcome.



    Also, we did have a series of LIVE videos on a step by step tutorial of how to paint your kitchen cabinets. If you would like to watch them....



    Day one: https://www.facebook.com/DixieBellePaint/videos/1609328872527961/


    Day two: https://www.facebook.com/DixieBellePaint/videos/1610860225708159/


    Day three: https://www.facebook.com/DixieBellePaint/videos/1612437375550444/


    Day four: https://www.facebook.com/DixieBellePaint/videos/1615506548576860/




    If you ever need help or have any questions you can feel free to call us at 813-909-1962 during business hours. We have a full staff here eager to help you!


    We have an awesome group on FB that gives you all kinds of help if you are interested. click here to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FriendsWhoLikeDixieBellePaint/