Painting your kitchen cabinets is an investment, both in time and money. When you're ready to make that investment, it is important to choose the right paint for the job. To help you find the best Sherwin Williams paint for your cabinets, we have done some investigating. With the research we have done, we are confident that this is the best answer to your query.
There are a few different kinds of Sherwin Williams paints that work well for cabinets. If you're looking for a paint that will hold up to significant wear and tear, use Sherwin Williams Urethane Trim Enamel. Another very durable option is Sherwin William's Interior Waterbased Acrylic-Alkyd. For cabinets that undergo less traffic, consider Sherwin Williams ProClassic Waterbourne Interior Acrylic Enamel. These paints are specially formulated to dry hard and stand up to regular use and cleaning.
Each of these paints is recommended for cabinetry and will provide a satisfactory paint job. However, they are all different and have different qualities that you may appreciate. Keep reading to learn more about each kind of paint, and decide which is best suited for your needs.
Sherwin Williams Urethane Trim Enamel
In days gone by, the terms "urethane" and "enamel" would invoke thoughts of smelly, dangerous, oil-based paints. They dried hard and were incredibly durable. However, they were difficult to use and required lots of ventilation.
We've come a long way, and this Sherwin William's paint is an excellent choice for water-based urethane enamel. It has all the benefits of oil-based enamel without the inconvenience. This urethane trim enamel delivers a hard, smooth, glossy finish that is extremely scratch resistant. It will hold up to years of constant use and is ideal for kitchen cabinets.
Sherwin William's Interior Waterbased Acrylic-Alkyd
Conventional alkyd paints have smooth, self-leveling properties that dry into a hard, durable surface. However, they also contain high levels of VOCs and require paint thinner for cleanup. We've come a long way here, too.
Sherwin William's Waterbased Acrylic-Alkyd paint offers the benefits of traditional alkyd paints. It goes on smooth, dries tough, and has superior scratch resistance. Additionally, this paint has all the pros of acrylic paints. It doesn't yellow over time, has low VOC levels, and can be cleaned up with water. Clearly, this is the best of both worlds and an excellent choice for your kitchen cabinets.
Sherwin Williams ProClassic Waterbourne Interior Acrylic Enamel
This is the third Sherwin Williams paint that we will consider. Sherwin William's acrylic enamel is a popular choice for painting kitchen cabinets. It does not hold up quite as well as the other two options but will still have a long lifetime.
This enamel dries quickly and goes on best with a paint sprayer. It is self-leveling and cleans up easily with water. An added benefit to this paint is that it has a unique wet and dry hide. This effectually covers your cabinets with fewer coats, saving you both time and money. Each of these attributes makes this paint a good choice for painting your cabinets.
Is It Better To Spray Or Brush Kitchen Cabinets When Painting?
Ultimately, it is better to spray your kitchen cabinets rather than brush paint them. A spray-on finish will typically be smoother and look more polished than a brushed on finish. However, this does not have to be the case. It is possible to get a smooth, professional result with a brush and roller combination. Using quality tools and the right paint will go a long way towards achieving beautifully painted cabinets.
One benefit of using a brush on kitchen cabinets is that you don't have the overspray problem with a sprayer. No need to cover everything in the room before painting! To learn more about how to get a good, smooth finish with a brush, check out this article, "How To Get A Smooth Finish When Painting Kitchen Cabinets."
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Click here to find this 2" foam roller on Amazon.
What Finish Is Best For Kitchen Cabinets?
When deciding what paint to use for your kitchen cabinets, the finish may be as important as the color. Different finishes can dramatically affect how a paint color will look. The most popular finish for kitchen cabinet paint is by far the semigloss finish. Semigloss is glossy enough to be easy to clean without being excessively shiny.
Semigloss reflects light, so it may make your kitchen seem brighter and bigger. However, it will also showcase any imperfections that your cabinets may have. The second-best finish for kitchen cabinets is satin. Satin can still be cleaned fairly easily but has a cozier, warmer look that isn't quite as shiny.
Do You Need To Seal Your Newly Painted Kitchen Cabinets?
Ideally, you will have painted your cabinets with durable paint that dries hard, such as those we have listed above. In this case, there is no need to apply a sealant. However, if you opted for a low-sheen, latex paint, you will need to seal your cabinets. A sealant will give your cabinets a hard surface so that your paint does not chip, scratch, or delaminate as easily. Use one or two coats of good quality, clear polyurethane sealer. Only use water-based polyurethane sealers for latex paints and oil-based polyurethane for oil-based paints.
Click here to find this water-based polyurethane sealer on Amazon.
Click here to find this oil-based polyurethane sealer on Amazon.
Is There A Difference Between Cabinet Paint And Regular Paint?
Yes and no. Cabinet paints are typically paints that will dry hard and last a long time. These qualities are unnecessary for regular wall paint, so we usually use basic latex paint for walls. Latex paint does not dry as hard and can accommodate the regular swelling and contracting of a house.
Additionally, cabinet paint is usually significantly more expensive than your average latex paint. However, paint does not have to be specifically labeled for cabinets to be used for them. Most durable, enamel or alkyd paints will work for cabinets, along with trim, shelves, and other furniture.
Conclusion
Sherwin Williams offers several excellent paint options for those looking to repaint their cabinets. Between the three choices given here, you should be able to find the perfect paint for your project.
Before you go, you may want to take a look at one of these articles as well.