Choose The Right Type Of Spray Paint For Kitchen Cabinets With These Helpful Tips

Painting your kitchen cabinets is a great option for homeowners who already have the functionality they want in the space but are looking for a whole new look since the cost to paint your kitchen cabinets is significantly less than investing in new cabinetry. The best way to refinish your cabinets is with a paint sprayer to achieve a smooth, long-lasting finish, and choosing the right paint is crucial. While there are many different types of paint on the market, hybrid coatings which mix the best properties of low VOC, easy-to-apply water-based options with the increased durability and smoother finish of oil-based alternatives are best for paint spraying cabinets.

Oil-based paint was originally the gold standard for cabinets because it has a long-lasting professional, smooth finish. Unfortunately, it is also difficult for a DIYer to apply, yellows over time, takes a long time to dry, and produces dangerous toxic fumes, or VOCs. Out of these disadvantages water-based, or latex, paint was developed. Contrary to oil-based paint, water-based paint dries much faster, is easier to apply for a novice painter, and has low VOCs, making it a safer and more convenient alternative. However, it has far less durability, which is a major factor when painting kitchen cabinets. Therefore, a few hybrid paint coatings were developed to fall between the advantages and drawbacks of water- and oil-based options.

Hybrid paint options were developed to offer the ease and safety of water-based latex paint and the durable, smooth, glossy finish of oil-based paint. Water-based latex acrylic hybrid paint adheres better than latex alone due to the added acrylic, meaning less peeling or flaking as it wears. Though it is not quite as durable as enamel or urethane options, it is easy to apply and the most cost-effective.

Another element to look for in your cabinet paint research is water-based enamel, which can be added to paint to create an extra strong, shiny coating when dry. Traditionally made with oil-based paints, new water-based acrylic enamel paints are straightforward to apply, will hold up to heavy use, and finish with a tough, glossy appearance. Though this adds to the cost of the paint, the added longevity makes it worthwhile for many homeowners, as water-based enamel paints are a popular choice for spraying kitchen cabinetry.

Finally, urethane paints are water-based acrylic paints with urethane added or incredible durability, lustrous gloss finish, strong yet flexible adhesion, and low VOCs. Also sometimes called water-based alkyd paints, these have become an extremely popular option for cabinet spray paint, despite the high price tag due to being perfectly suited to withstand kitchen wear and tear. You will also see Urethane Enamel paints on the market that combine the science of the two options for superior results, though they cost a pretty penny!