Best paint for kitchen cabinets

Whilst replacing your kitchen cabinets is a fantastic way to revive the look of your kitchen and give it a makeover, it is not very cost-effective. However, there is another easy (and much cheaper) option to give your kitchen cabinets a new lease of life; by painting them!

Although it may seem like a daunting task to paint kitchen cabinets, with the right tools it can be very easy. There are a few steps in which you will need to take before you begin applying any old paint though, so read on to learn more.

Preparation

Before you start, you will need to consider a few things. What are your cabinets made from? What finish do they currently have? Which type of paint is advised to use in the kitchen? What type of finish do you want the new paint to be?

Types of paints

Water-based paints

Water-based paint for kitchen cabinets is usually the go-to type for D.I.Y-ers. This is for several reasons;

• They are easier to clean up as brushes and rollers etc. can be washed with soap and water
• They have very low to no VOC levels, meaning that there are very few fumes
• Water-based paints dry quicker than oil-based ones
• There is no yellowing of the paint over time

Oil-based/alkyd-based paints

These types of paints can also be used in the kitchen, but are usually used more by professionals. This is for several reasons;

• They are stronger and more resilient to chips, stains and marks
• They tend to cover the surface easier to create a smoother finish
• The colour will fade less over time
• They are more forgiving if the primed surface is not 100% smooth

So, which is the best paint for kitchen cabinets? Both types of paint are sufficient, but a little extra thought should be taken into account when it comes to choosing which is right for you.

Types of finish

Gloss – As the name suggests, gloss paints will give you a lovely smooth and shiny finish. Although this type of finish on kitchen cupboards went out of fashion when a contemporary look was pushed. However, it does appear to be making a come back in recent years and can work well in some types of kitchen environments.

Ultra-gloss – The same goes with an ultra-gloss finish. These types of finish are the next level of smoothness and shine but are not really seen that much on kitchen cabinets.

Satin – One of the most popular types of finish is a satin finish. This type of finish is usually described as having a ‘mid-sheen’ and so look slightly polished – similar in look to that of an eggshell.

Matt/Chalk – This is another popular type of finish, but not so much for use on kitchen cabinets. Although shabby chic is a look that does not seem to ever go out of fashion, this type of finish is not easy to wipe down like the others are and so is not that common to be used in the kitchen.

Primer

As we always say, priming is key to a professional-looking finish. If you do not lay down the groundwork, there’s no chance in having a beautiful smooth looking end result.

There is one product in particular that we highly recommend using.

E.S.P (easy surface prep) – This is a fantastic wipe on, wipe off product that primes and prepares any shiny or non-porous surface for painting. It completely eliminates the need for difficult and time-consuming sanding! Once dry, E.S.P creates a surface that is ready for paint to bond to making it ideal for application onto melamine cabinets.

Safe to use in a kitchen environment, virtually odourless and colourless and simply wipes on with a lint-free cloth or brush making it very easy to use.

For example, take a look at the below images where an avid DIY-er used E.S.P on their kitchen cabinets with great success.

Before and after repainting the kitchen cupboards

As you can see, Stacey of End of The Row achieved a great finish and had to do no sanding – even on the intricate areas of paintwork. All she had to do was wash the cabinets, apply E.S.P and then apply her chosen finish once dry.

It just shows that it’s not always necessary to fork out thousands for a new kitchen. Don’t be put off from revamping your current kitchen by the thought of weeks of work with tedious sanding. Just use E.S.P and save yourself so much time.

This kitchen was also given a makeover with E.S.P by Traditional Painter Richard Willott.

Further reading

Learn more about these kitchen projects completed with E.S.P here:

• Updating Kitchen Cupboards
• Hand painted kitchen in Spixworth
• Cheap Kitchen Update – How to Paint Kitchen Cupboards

Paint conditioners

As well as having a good primer, you may also want to consider using a paint conditioner. We have two available; Owatrol Oil is for use in oil-based paints and the other is Floetrol, for use in water-based paints.

They both help improve the flow and workability of the paint. It does this by extending the drying time, allowing you to get a smoother complete finish easier.

In doing so, they also help to alleviate brush / roller marks, helping you achieve a more professional looking finish.

Unlike damaging paint thinners or water, they do all this without affecting the inherent qualities of the paint or its colour.

---

We hope you found this post on the best paint for kitchen cabinets helpful. If you have any tips or advice, please feel free to share them in the comments below. We love hearing from you!

You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest at @OwatrolUK or find us under the hashtag #OwatrolUK