Matt is knowledgeable painter who owns and operates his personal portray enterprise, specializing in inside and exterior home portray.
Painting Cabinet Interiors: Good, or Bad Idea?
Most individuals who paint their kitchen cupboards paint solely the doorways and the outside portion of the frames, however what concerning the cabinets, drawers and inside? This is a subject that does not get numerous dialogue, however it’s one which some owners and DIYers need recommendation on, and it is price realizing the professionals and cons earlier than you paint the within of your cupboards.
I paint cupboards nearly completely for a residing and I hardly ever have clients requesting the inside be painted too. Typically, the one time I paint the within of cupboards is when it is seen by way of glass doorways.
The primary purpose most individuals skip portray the within is the extra work and materials expense concerned and for the easy indisputable fact that the inside is barely seen when the doorways are opened, however nonetheless, some folks don’t desire two totally different colours on their cupboards.
In this text, I cowl the professionals and cons of portray inside kitchen cupboards and the very best paint to make use of if you happen to resolve to do it.
Things to Consider Before Painting Inside Kitchen Cabinets
In my opinion, going by way of the difficulty of portray the inside of cupboards and drawers actually is not price it, particularly for the reason that inside is barely seen when doorways are opened, or by way of glass, which in that case, I do suggest portray what’s seen from the surface.
But if you wish to go the additional mile and paint each sq. inch of your cupboards, here is some negatives to contemplate earlier than you begin portray:
- It’s double the work. Painting the inside and exterior takes lots longer. Painting the outside is simpler since you solely have to color slim frames and a pair aspect panels, however on the within, you must paint a number of panels, cabinets and drawers. Deeper nook cupboards have tighter areas too and are more difficult to color. Don’t neglect concerning the further cleansing and sanding.
- It’s extra messy for spraying. One purpose I often do not paint the within of cupboards is as a result of spraying paint into enclosed areas, even with a small sprayer, produces horrible blow-back from mud and over-spray. Wearing a portray respirator and face safety is a should. It can also be more difficult to spray paint into tight areas with out runs.
- The paint’s extra more likely to chip. Cabinet doorways and frames often do not take a lot abuse apart from occasional cleansing, however cabinets are one other story. Constant friction from plates and different objects could cause the shelving paint to chip and put on sooner. If you paint your cupboard cabinets and drawer interiors, I extremely suggest utilizing liners to guard the paint.
- It’s costlier. Painting the within of kitchen cupboards requires extra paint and primer. I might think about an additional one to 2 gallons every of primer and paint to complete the within. If you rent a painter, anticipate to pay extra not just for materials, but additionally for labor, as a result of it is tougher, even with a sprayer.
If you do not thoughts the extra work and prices concerned, there are definitely causes you may think about portray the within.
- The doorways are glass. Cabinet interiors which are seen by way of door glass must be painted in any other case it appears weifreelancertamal. The glass is often secured with plastic tabs and screws which are straightforward to take away with a drill. Sometimes the glass is built-in and can’t be eliminated, however you’ll be able to simply cowl the glass with masking paper if you happen to’re utilizing a sprayer to color the doorways.
- It makes the masking simpler. If you are spray portray cupboards, masking is a serious a part of the undertaking, however if you happen to’re portray the inside too, you will not need to masks off the cupboard door openings.
- Color distinction. Although the impact will solely be seen when the doorways are opened, you may think about portray the within a special coloration than the surface. If you paint the within, it is a good suggestion to even think about using a darkish coloration to assist conceal grime and scuff marks.
What’s the Best Paint for Inside Cabinets?
If you are going to paint the within of your cupboards, use a stronger and extra sturdy coating and canopy the cabinets with liners. I might additionally ensure that the interior partitions and cabinets are rigorously cleaned and sanded and primed accurately too so the paint adheres higher.
Pre-catalyzed Lacquer
Don’t use low-cost semi-gloss paint in your cupboards. I spray the within and outdoors of cupboards with a sturdy pre-catalyzed lacquer. A catalyst is added to the lacquer to make it dry hafreelancertamaler and extra immune to chemical compounds and put on. This is a superb possibility if you happen to’re spraying your cupboards and need a smoother and extra sturdy coating that dries actually quick. Pre-catalyzed lacquer is for spraying solely.
Acrylic Alkyd Enamel
Before I used lacquer on cupboards, I used Emerald urethane enamel lots with good outcomes, though I did have issues with air bubbles within the end a pair occasions, however solely when spraying. Another product I used efficiently as soon as to spray paint a staircase black and white is Pro Industrial water-based alkyd enamel, which is the commercial model of Emerald urethane enamel and principally the identical product. I additionally used that product one other time to spray paint cupboards black.
Alkyd Enamel
Another possibility to contemplate is alkyd enamel, no less than for the cabinets. Like lacquer, the VOCs are robust and ugly, however the benefit is the sturdiness and resistance to moisture and put on when totally cured. The largest drawback is the gradual dry time, however it dries hafreelancertamal and holds up higher than waterborne enamel. You may spray it, or use a brush and curler.
© 2022 Matt G.
