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Most durable paint for new cabinets?

14 years ago

I have found a local cabinet maker who will make new cabinets and leave them unfinished. My husband and I will prime and paint them. They'll be a simple shaker style cabinet doors/drawers in a warm white. Cabinet guy is recommending oil based paint.

I have been using an oil based paint for the trim in the rest of my house. It's the warm white I would like for my cabinets.

Is oil based paint really the most durable option for cabinets? Since we are starting with raw wood, I want to pick the paint that will hold up the best. Suggestions?

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Comments (7)

cabalist
14 years ago
Oil is the most durable, over a nice oil primer (which can be tinted to match your topcoat).

I have heard that when painting cabinets painters thin the paint out more than usual to help it settle/lay down better. In essence it reduces the brush marks.

The oil and oil primer are important. A shop that could spray it on could give a nice finish.

Keep in mind that I am stripping our cabinets right now and will be applying a clear coat with a stain, thus avoiding having to paint them :)
luckymom23
14 years ago
Whatever paint brand you choose just remember that oil based paints will yellow over time so your warm white will 'warm up' even more.
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sayde
14 years ago
FWIW Crown Point has just started offering painted cabinets using Farrow & Ball Eggshell as an alternative to their standard painted finish. This is a new paint which is recommended for things like kids furniture and radiators so it must be pretty tough.
lizziebethtx
14 years ago
I'm talking with a cabinet maker right now and his belief is that the latex paint on the market now is so superior to the latex paint in years past he wouldn't recommend oil based paint for my cabinets because it will yellow over time. I have no idea if what he says about latex paint is true, but I do know oil based paint will yellow over time. I've experienced it myself and wasn't happy with the color as it aged. The paint was applied to woodwork in a previous home. I hope others will comment.
tullerbruc
14 years ago
Most people now are using pre-cat primers, paints and clear finishes. Never seen any brushed on before though.
Vicki
14 years ago
I have BM Satin Impervo Waterbase on my cabinets and, after the 30 day cure, sandpaper will barely make a dent in them. I see no reason to go with oil base.
shelayne
14 years ago
Most pros on the Paint Forum say that alkyds are yesterday's paints, and that 100% acrylic is the way to go, as white paint will yellow. There is a poster here who had her cabinets and trim done with oil-based paint and she is noticing an obvious yellowing on some of them, and she just had them painted less than a year ago. That is something you may want to consider.

I am using SW Pro Classic on our cabinets, and it goes on so nice and creamy; it is actually a joy to use.:^)

Have you checked out the Paint Forum?

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