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Is paint as durable as clear finish on cabinet interiors?

15 years ago

I'm planning to paint the interiors of my glass fronted cabinets to match the outsides (off white). Is there a convention that suggests how you finish the interiors of the other cabinets? I think I've seen kitchens with both clear-finished and painted interiors in them.

It seems to me that it would be nice to be consistent. Is there a reason to prefer one finish over the other? Are painted finishes less durable? I intend to use a non-toxic, or at least a low VOC, finish in either case.

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Comments (4)

davidro1
15 years ago
Paint technology improves every decade. Paint hardens over time; there is no paint that has a really hard surface on Day Two. How hard it gets later is a good question to take to a couple high quality stores with experienced staff who are in close touch with their suppliers.

David
weed_cutter
15 years ago
Look in the paint forum. My experiance is that a varnished wood will be the most durable, oil based paint comes in second but yellows over time, latex paints don't yellow but the finish is not as hard as the oil products.

Oil finishes are not low VOC.
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User
15 years ago
Melamine/laminate is more durable than either and that's why it's the choice of a wide variety of cabinet companies. It all about easy care, not "cheapness" I would first see if you an find a matching laminate to your paint color. Second would be a clear varnish. Third choice would be paint.
tetrazzini
Original Author
15 years ago
I'll call BM about their Aura line, and also Mythic Paint. I definitely don't want oil based paint, I had a bad experience with that once. Too bad, because it looks beautiful.

live wire, I've started building the cabinets, so melamine isn't an option. It's true, clean-up is a breeze with it. I always have to make things hard on myself.

david, I didn't know paint hardens over time. That's interesting.

Thanks all!

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