The Pros & Cons of Various Painting Methods for Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets

kitchen-cabinets

Wouldn’t it be great to spice up your bathroom or kitchen with a new look without spending too much money? After installing new cabinets into your home, you can spruce them up by painting your bathroom cabinets.

What’s great about this option is that you can pay a little money and get a whole new look. So just because you decided to go with light brown wooden cabinets doesn’t mean you have to stick with this look forever.

Nor do you have to spend extra money on buying replacement kitchen cabinets or hiring a contractor to install them. In fact, you can enjoy your new bathroom cabinets for many years going this route.

But before you buy paint, primer, and a finish, it’s important you do your research. In the following guide, you’ll see what the pros and cons are for various kitchen and bathroom cabinet painting methods.

Using Oil-Based Paints for Your Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets

cabinets with oil-based paint

If you’re not already familiar, there are various types of paints. Oil-based is a common favorite among homeowners for multiple reasons. One reason is that it’s easy to apply to the cabinets. There are different brands you can choose from – some having a bit of Pentrol mixed in.

This is a paint conditioner that’s used specifically for oil-based paints. This makes it glide on beautifully over wooden surfaces. It’s also important to note that the dry time is slow, which causes most of the brush strokes to disappear instantly.

Out of all the paint options, it’s considered to have the most durable finish. You may find some brands that state their latex paint is as durable as oil-based paint. However, only some come close, but none are the same.

The Pros and Cons of Oil-Based Paint

cabinets with oil-based paint2

Now, let’s look at some of the pros and cons of oil-based paints. First, we’ll begin with the pros:

• It’s easy to spray or brush onto cabinets, plus the brush strokes disappear.
• The finish is very durable, dries hard and doesn’t easily scratch or chip.
• Easy maintenance and cleaning, using mild cleaning supplies without issues with the finish being damaged.

Next, we have the cons:

• Cleaning your brushes and other tools after painting can be difficult (soap and water isn’t enough).
• The drying is rather slow and can take several days, even if it’s just a small bathroom vanity.
• Over time, the paint yellows.

Painting Your Kitchen or Bathroom Cabinets with Latex Paint

It’s common for homeowners to use latex paint for their bathroom cabinets. If you’re considering doing the same, then it’s essential to know the pros and cons. We’ll start with the pros:

• You can either brush or spray paint your bathroom or kitchen cabinets.
• Simple to apply and clean up using water and soap.
• Paint conditioner is added to help with a flawless finish, even when using a brush.
• Dries very fast, allowing small projects, such as a small bathroom vanity to dry in a day.
• No yellowing over time and you can apply touch ups to chips and scratches.

Now, there is only one con with latex paint, which is the fact it’s not as durable as oil-based paint. This allows it to chip and scratch easier.

Waterborne Alkyd Paint for Bathroom and Kitchen Cabinets

cabinets with waterborne alkyd paint

Waterborne Alkyd paint is oil-based, but what makes it different is that it’s mixed with latex paint. You can find this among various brands, including Sherwin Williams ProClassic, Benjamin Moore Advance.

The pros for waterborne alkyd is as follows:

• The durability is better than latest, dries hard and has a finish that’s washable and scrub able.
• No yellowing of the paint over time.
• Simple to spray or brush on for a beautiful finish.
• Simple clean up using water and soap.

Here is the list of cons:

• The drying period is longer than latex, but shorter than oil-based paints. No one-day jobs with this paint.
• If the can of paint isn’t new, then you’ll need to add conditioner to ensure it applies smoothly.
• Some may find the finish too shiny, giving it a semi-gloss appearance. The darker the color the shinier.

Kitchen Cabinet Paint with Latex or Waterborne Alkyd and a Clear Topcoat

Kitchen or bathroom cabinets

Some argue over the benefits (or lack thereof) of clear topcoats. Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons.

The pros:

• Topcoats help to add a shed to the cabinets.
• Quality topcoats enhance the durability for latex paint

The con is that a clear topcoat can make it harder to do touch-ups. This means more sanding and a two-step re-coating to cover p dings and scratches.

Finding Quality Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets

The key to having a beautiful kitchen and bathroom design all begins with the cabinets you purchase. The quality of your cabinetry will set the tone of the space, which is why it’s important to find a reputable supplier.

At Cabinet Land, we have a great selection of cabinets to choose from. This includes those from brands like Forevermark, J&K Cabinets, Schrock and Aline. But this isn’t all we have – you can also find a line of other products, such as bathroom vanities, granite countertops, and quartz countertops.

Why Buy from Cabinet Land?

Because you’re guaranteed satisfaction through the quality of our products and prices. All our kitchen cabinets have trust seals, which only the best brands have.

Warranties are available to all our customers, along with expert installers. If you’re looking for a fast and friendly service and supplier, then we’re the one to call.

Contact us today to get a free quote for your new bathroom or kitchen cabinets!