Why Kitchen Cabinets Needs Improvements
No matter how careful you can be in using kitchen cabinets, they will get worn-out after quite some time. And white kitchen cabinets make it extra difficult to hide the damages. The color will fade to a visible yellow tone, scratches, chipping, cracking, everything is shown on the surface. Now before you decide to move them out of the house and buy new cabinets, it would be better if you settle for the option of repainting them.
Refurbishing cabinets at home is the most cost-effective method, not to mention it allows you to make all of your creative ideas a reality. It is always fun to tweak the painting process, tint the paint as many times as you like, and experiment different methods or tools. Cabinets can have impacts from kitchen appliances, leaking from the faucet, eternal stains from food or liquid with the worst case being the liquor stain.
At first, you may pick the oil-based paint because you saw the advertisements on how they stick on the cabinets for a long time, and that the color is pigmented. Unfortunately, you will realize later that you’ve wasted a lot money because oil-based paint can be expensive. And the final result of your project is disappointing: you can’t control the streak and end up leaving marks, bubbles on the surface.
By this time, you will have to go through the trouble of removing the coat, or even layered coats. The process is uncomfortable: you may experience sore hands, back pain, and tiring arms after just a few minutes of prying. Then you’ll need to sanding and priming the surface all over again. A rough surface can’t make paint work very well.
What should you do to avoid all of this troublesome situations?
A high-quality latex paint, also known as water-based paint, is what you need. There’s a wide range of paint for kitchen cabinets white in the market, which offers you lots of choices, but at the same time, it will confuse you. Understanding the need to renew old kitchen cabinets at home, we’ve done the research and come up with this article. By reading this, you will learn more about the 5 best paint for kitchen cabinets white, including their features, pros and cons through our honest reviews.
That’s not everything. You will also enrich knowledge with our tips on painting techniques, particularly how you can complete DIY projects in a surprisingly short time, and clean up the surroundings afterwards with unexpected tools. So you won’t have any worries if you’re a beginner when it comes to home DIY projects. We’ve provided answers to the questions commonly asked by consumers to support this, too.
The 5 Best Paint For Kitchen Cabinets White
Below is our hand-picked top 5 paint to retouch your white kitchen cabinets. From this table, you will find details on each product’s highlighted features, and check the latest price by following the provided link.
| Benjamin Moore: Advance Interior Paint, Satin | Rust-Oleum Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint | INSL-X Cabinet Coat | Rust Oleum Cabinet Transformations | Valspar Premium Interior/Exterior Latex Enamel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
| $$ | $ | $ | $$$ | $ |
| -Quick and easy to apply. -Excellent coverage on every details. -Smooth finish after quick drying time. -Lowest level of VOC after tinting. -Exclusively manufactured with Gennex® Color Technology. | -Suitable for a wide variety of interior surfaces: wood, metal, ceramic, canvas. -Easy for cleanup with soap and water. -Retro coat with high adhesion level. -Low harmful odor. -Covers up to 150 sq ft that dries to a matte creamy white finish within 30 minutes. | -Ideal for renewing objects with different materials at home: wood, Formica, melamine. -Water-based formula with superior adhesion level. -Silky satin finish that adds extra shine to your objects. -Durable top coat after just one application. -Covers surfaces evenly without requiring a primer. | -All-inclusive kit that is ideal for beginners in DIY. -Requires quick preparations: amazing coverage with no stripping, sanding, nor priming. -Can be used with wood, melamine, or metal. -Maintains high adhesion level after tinting. -Elegant pure white finish. | -Nontoxic latex enamel that dries to touch within 1 hour. -Exceptional resistant to scratch, stain and fading. -Can be used for both interior and exterior projects. -Covers all types of surface: wood, metal, ceramic, and more. -Keeps your home spick and span after cleanup with soap and water. |
The Honest Reviews from Our Experts
Now that you’ve gotten a clear view about the list of paint for white kitchen cabinets, let’s dive into the reviews. We will break down the features of each product to help you decide on the right one. Everything is based on our experiment, combined with consumer feedbacks. This includes the highlighted features that explain why the paint will be worth your budget, as well as the plus and minus points to help you decide on the product that is right for you.
Benjamin Moore: Advance Interior Paint, Satin
The best paint sheen for kitchen cabinets with affordable price
The most common problem with high gloss paint is that it might bring you an eye-catching look, but stains and fading tend to happen more often in comparison with matte paint. Look no further, Benjamin Moore: Advance Interior Paint, Satin is the ultimate solution that you’ve been looking for. From the first coat of this product, you will get the impression that the paint looks quite thin. But once it dries within just 30 minutes, you will be surprised to see that the paint has covered the surface completely.
Combined with the paint sprayer, which is the best tool for home projects, this sheen coat can cover every delicate details of the cabinets. It is also thanks to the lightweight that Benjamin Moore can be applied faster than the regular paint. VOC is known to be harmful for users. With this paint, it will be a different situation. You can start the projects indoor, even in rooms with low air ventilation, because the manufacturers have carefully reduce VOC level greatly.
The final result will be an even, lustrous satin sheen with great durability, preventing fingerprints, stains from damaging the coat. Aside from the stylish white pigment, this amazing paint is also available in over 3.500 colors, offering you the opportunity to make creative ideas come true. Formulated with the exclusive Gennex® Color Technology, Benjamin Moore guarantees that your cabinets will have gorgeous color and stay flawless for years. Plus, their products are provided directly from the manufacturer, so you will never have to question the quality.
The only drawback according to consumers is that the paint cannot withstand humidity: the coat may have bubbles if the humidity level is too high.
PROS
- Pigmented coat that dries in the duration of 30 minutes.
- Smooth and shiny finish.
- Covers even the most difficult details on the cabinets.
- Safe for even indoor use thanks to the low VOC level.
- The high quality is protected by the manufacturer’s policy: all products are provided directly by Benjamin Moore.
CONS
- May cause bubbles if the weather is too humid.
Rust-Oleum Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint
Durable latex paint for a vintage look at home
A retro look is probably the most difficult style of kitchen cabinet paint finishes to achieve. However, that is not the case with Rust-Oleum Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint. Chalked paint brings you a nostalgic, elegant appearance that presents the old-school diners. By giving the cabinets this style, your kitchen surroundings will feel much more welcoming, adding the special stress relieve effect after a long day at work.
Rust-Oleum has been considerate with the product formula. It is a water-based paint with low odor level. This means that you won’t have to go through the trouble of moving the cabinets outdoor to avoid breathing in harmful components. Since this is water-based, you can use the brush to cover trims and edges to get a precise finish. Not to mention you can save lots of time with the cleaning process. Latex paint requires only soap and water to be removed.
One can will effectively cover up to 150 square feet and dries within 30 minutes. If you’ve got leftover paint after refurbishing the cabinets, store the cans in a dry place and avoid direct sunlight. You can be flexible with the usage since this amazing product from Rust-Oleum can be used on a wide range of materials like wood, metal, masonry and more. Despite the fascinating advantages, you may experience yellow pigment after the coat dries up. The most effective way to prevent this is to apply 3 to 4 coats.
PROS
- Offers high adhesion level on various surfaces: wood, metal, masonry, etc.
- Flawless vintage finish.
- Low harmful odor, which means you can work in space with low air ventilation.
- Great cover rate with just one can.
- Easy for cleanup with soap and water.
CONS
- Requires from 3 to 4 coats to prevent yellow-like color.
- May crack quickly due to impacts.
INSL-X Cabinet Coat
The beautiful extra shine finish to freshen up your furniture
Did you know that the difficulty level of refinishing kitchen cabinets white will increase if the surface already has an additional finish? One common example is the polyurethane and varnish. They are amongst the top surfaces that make it hard for the paint to dry on. Normally, you will have to go through priming before applying the paint. This also applies to materials such as Formica and melamine.
The key factor that makes INSL-X Cabinet Coat stands out in the market is the urethane-acrylic substance that makes the properties more adherent, even without a primer, which means you will have a more economical preparation. You’ll just have to make sure there is no dust on the cabinets. This product lays down well even on small details, and dries to a shimmering, creamy white finish, giving not only your cabinets, as well as other furniture and window trims a modern look. Although feedbacks from consumers have claimed that the adhesion level can be affected if you tint the paint, the coat is still durable after the first application.
PROS
- Extra shine and pigmented white finish.
- Ideal for common materials at home: wood, Formica, melamine.
- Doesn’t need a primer, which saves additional budget.
- Requires only one coat to protect the surfaces.
- Applicable for cabinets, furniture and window trims.
CONS
- Adhesion level will be reduced after tinting.
- Has dripping if you interrupt the painting process mid-way.
Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations
The essential all-in-one painting kit for beginners
This second Rust-Oleum product on the list presents to you the best cabinet paint that comes with all the benefits you need. In other words, it is a full cabinet coating system. You can use this with multiple surfaces such as wood, metal and melamine. You will only have to go through three quick and simple steps with this kit. First, start by cleaning the surface with a new cloth, then use the Cabinet Transformations Deglosser. It serves the full process of sanding, priming, and stripping, which normally requires extra tools.
Then, apply a layer coat as following the instruction manual. This layer will act as a support to the paint, making it stick better and increase the ability to withstand cracking, fading and other impacts from the environment. An optional glaze is also available if you’d prefer a multi-layer cover for the cabinet. And finally, it’s time for painting. Since the object already has a previous coat, you’ll only have to paint it once to acquire the durable finish. Overall, the kit is convenient for home use, especially with beginners in DIYs.
You might question if the Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations kit is worth the luxury price. The high-quality finish that lasts for years will surely be the best answer for you. Plus, pure white is never outdated when it comes to decorating kitchen cabinets. But the minus point is that one coat can be transparent if you use this it on dark surfaces.
PROS
- Starter kit for home DIYs.
- Includes the essential tools for stripping, sanding and priming.
- Quick drying time.
- Suitable for wood, melamine, and metal.
- Shiny pure white color that’s never outdated.
CONS
- Expensive price.
- Packaging can be damaged easily during transport.
- Requires 3 to 4 coats when working with dark surfaces.
Valspar Premium Interior/Exterior Latex Enamel
The all-purpose latex paint for all surfaces
This Valspar cabinet paint balances the gap between latex and oil-based paint. The thin formula is purely water-based with no toxic components, and the coverage is surprisingly higher than other latex paint in the market. While it is compulsory for oil-based paint to have VOC to be sticky, Valspar has made considerable adjustments with selecting the ingredients. They have come up with the formula to remove this dangerous component without decreasing the remarkable adhesion level.
You can get a great deal when buying this product: one purchase is enough to renew cabinets or furniture several times. Cleaning up after the project is now easier, too. Soap and water is all you need to remove the paint. Be mindful of the tools you’re using with this Valspar. If you’d prefer the brushes, try to keep painting continuously or it will leave streak marks. Another minus point is the long drying time. You will have to wait up to 1 hour before you can apply a new coat.
PROS
- Latex enamel that works effectively like oil-based paint.
- Contains nontoxic ingredients.
- Protects cabinets, furniture from scratch, stain and fading.
- Can be used for both interior and exterior projects.
- Covers wood, metal, ceramic, and more.
- Easy cleanup with soap and water.
CONS
- Long drying time: one coat can take up to 1 hour to dry.
- Left streak marks when using with paintbrush.
How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets White
Painting or renewing your cabinets, furniture is always more economical if you do it at home. Not to mention it’s a fun process. In this part, we will provide you the best answer to the question of how to paint kitchen cabinets.
If you’re a beginner, then these steps will surely save you a lot of researching time, and minimize the flaws in the painting process as much as possible. On the other hand, experts with home DIYs can refer to the instructions to make better chances to the steps that you’re familiar with. Before you can get to preparing the materials and start the project, it is necessary for you to understand that this DIY project can take up to five or six days. It can vary depends on the size of the cabinets, and the quantity that you’re working with.
So, the most important factor is that you have patience. It may feel like it takes forever to finish the project, but the steps will be just as enjoyable as when you’re admiring the final result. And don’t put too much pressure on yourself, either. A few first attempts can bring you surfaces with uneven streak. This doesn’t mean you should give up. Your skills will be improved after lots of practice. One effective method to avoid the flaws is using the paint sprayer. Let’s not wait any longer. We’ll dive into the instructions now!
Step 1: Cover up the Surroundings
Step 2: Mark the Pieces by Numbering the Parts
Step 3: Sanding
Sanding can help remove dust or flaws on the surface that you can’t see easily. This will give you a smooth and even surface, which is a great base for painting since it helps the paint sticks easier. 100-grit sandpaper will be your ideal assistant in this situation.
Step 4: Prime the Cabinets
Step 5: Apply the Paint
Tips on Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
After the experiment we’ve had with the products, we’ve made a list of tips on painting white kitchen cabinets. These tips will definitely come in handy and they are easy to remember.
Tip #1: Choose the Right Product
It is commonly known that priming makes the paint sticks better, and have deeper color on all types of surface, from wood, metal to Formica, etc. Most high gloss paint can’t work well without priming: the surface will become transparent, and as a result, you will have to apply 3 to 4 coats. However, priming can take a lot of time and requires additional budget. You can avoid this by choosing the paint that includes primer in the formula.
Tip #2: Disassemble the Cabinets
Remove the doors and knobs to make sure you can work with each part thoroughly. Stains on parts with small details can be troublesome, and you will have to wait for the paint to dry before you can fix it. As for cabinets that cause you difficulties in disassembling the parts, you can settle for another solution. And it is covering the parts waiting to be painted in paper.
Tip #3: Don’t Shop Mindlessly: Pay Attention to the VOC Level
As mentioned above, VOC is the harmful chemical in paint. You can recognize the component by the odor. Breathing in VOC is extremely dangerous to your health. Symptoms can vary from dizziness, light or strong headaches, to nausea. Long-term effects include liver, eye diseases and so on. Your number one solution is to work in areas with high air ventilation, such as the outdoor, or the spacious room with good window design. Additionally, you can wear a protection mask, and direct the fan out of the window.
Tip #4: It is Always Right to Invest in High-quality Paint
Although paint for kitchen cabinets have a wide range of prices, you should spend the budget for quality paint. Needless to say, you’ll get a smoother finish, extra paint to spare after the project is done, and most importantly, avoid the dangerous substance in the formula. Not only that, products from reliable manufacturers have lower chances of getting bubbles, leaving streak marks on the surface. Plus it is easier to apply and you can cover the edges precisely.
Tip #5: Always Remember to Mark the Pieces
Numbering the cabinet parts is probably the tip that gets the least attention. The reasons for this step will definitely surprise you. Sometimes, the parts can have slight differences in size. You won’t be able to notice this unless you’re installing the part on the wrong side. The cabinet might look crooked if the door or screw is not in the position where it should be. You wouldn’t want to remove everything all over again once the paint is dried. It can scratch the coat or leave fingerprints.
Tip #6: Make Good Use of the Materials that You can Find
You may not have washi tape available in the desk drawer, but you can find old newspapers, raincoats or even worn-out t-shirts at home. These are great alternatives for papers that you can use to cover up the cabinet parts. This will help you clear the storage space, make good use of old things, and avoid wasting a considerable amount of hard-earned money.
Frequently Asked Question and Answers
Our team of experts have collected all of the frequently asked questions by consumers, analyze them carefully, and provided the most suitable answers. You can check them out below!
How long can the white paint coat last?
White paint is difficult to maintain because everything that happens to the coat becomes visible. Fading, chipping, scratches, marks from kitchen appliances, cracking from overheating weather and even yellow tone. High-quality white kitchen cabinet paint can protect your objects from these consequences. The coat can last for about 2 years, sometimes more than 4 years before requiring a renovation, especially when you’re using excellent products.
If the formula includes ingredients that boost the durability level, the coat will always look fresh like when you’ve just painted them. A base surface with primer can help the paint last longer than expected. Of course, you must be considerate of what’s attached to the cabinets. The most common tool is the water faucet. Keep a regular checkup on the faucet and pipes, so you can fix the problems in time. Leaking causes the most damages to the coat.
Is it difficult to keep white kitchen cabinets clean?
Aside from avoid spilling and marks from kitchen appliances as much as you can, another thing that you should do is to always clean the dust off of the cabinets. The good news is that a smooth surface makes it quicker and easier to clean the dust. You can use the brush to remove the dust, then use a new cloth to wipe the surface and doors. Warm water can add efficiency to the cleaning process.
How can I choose the paint type for my cabinet?
There are two products that you will need in every kitchen cabinet painting projects: the primer and the paint. A high-quality primer means more additional costs, so if you have a budget to spare, don’t be afraid to purchase it. As for affordable options, thanks to considerate manufacturers, you can now get a 2-in-1 product. Although there is a wide color palette for paint in the market, white is the basic color that is always available, and that works the same for all-purpose paint.
Latex paint works best for wood surfaces because the paint is lightweight, making it easy for you to control the streaks and cover small details precisely. However, dark surfaces may need several paint coat to achieve the smooth finish, otherwise the surface will become transparent. Other materials like metal, Formica, melamine and masonry can also be suitable with latex paint.
Moreover, the thinner the coat, the easier it would be for you in future renovation. If you’re looking to renew the cabinets with a color other than white, then you will most likely have to remove the previous coat. This means that you can remove the thin coat without putting much pressure. Another important feature is the VOC level. As you may have known, paint odor is extremely harmful to our health. It is wise to choose the paint with the least amount of VOC.
Can I use satin paint on kitchen cabinets?
Of course you can! Cabinets, doors, window trims, as well as other furniture, everything will have a more sophisticated and stylish look if they are covered in satin paint. Not to mention the extra shine makes the objects look eye-catching, and brighten up your room. If you’re refurbishing old cabinets, the paint will fill in any flaws in the wood, particularly scratches, cracks and prints, and as a result, it will unintentionally make them visible. This is unacceptable in terms of aesthetic. A satin sheen can cover up all of these imperfections, even with one thin top coat.
Is it better to spray the cabinets or paint them with a brush?
In the home DIY community, it is a never-ending debate between the people who likes paintbrush, and those who’d prefer paint sprayers. It’s time to leave all the controversy behind and settle for the latter option. There are three reasons why we recommended this choice for you. First of all, a paint sprayer will help you complete the project quickly. The process couldn’t get any easier. You’ll just have to add the paint in the container and you’re good to go.
If you’ve had experience with the paintbrush, or if you’ve read the how-to articles on the forums, you’ll most likely recognize that brushes cause a lot of dripping, causing uneven finish, and requires more paint to get the high coverage. That is not the case with the sprayer. You can control the pressure, adding support in achieving the smooth final result. Plus, since sprayed paint can cover every details on the cabinet, you can be assured that even the tiniest or most difficult detail will get fully painted.
Next, this tool is not as heavy as you think it might be. Carrying the sprayer around the house won’t cause much of a hassle. The parts can be disassembled, which is convenient for storage, saving you lots of space. Just remember to keep the box in the dry area, and perform regular cleaning even if you haven’t used it in a while to preserve the high quality. And last but not least, paint sprayers are affordable. You can get new home use sprayers fresh out from the box at almost every store. Some retailers even offer value package with additional parts, or deals that allow you to get the sprayer shipped directly to your home with low or no extra fees.
Is it necessary to remove the doors off of the frame?
Yes, it is compulsory that you remove the doors off of the frame. By doing this, you will be able to cover every inch of the cabinet without getting stains on the frame or drawer. You will need a screwdriver to finish the step. Wear a pair of latex gloves to protect your hands from getting swollen if you’re removing screws from old cabinets. They can get stuck because they are too rusty, which means you will have to spend some time and pressure to remove them.
The Final Verdict
Reading reviews is one of the best ways you should do in order to select the best paint for kitchen cabinets white. We hope that this article can become a helpful reference for you. Each product has its unique features. While the paint can have plus points that are totally worth your money, there are still minor issues according to the result of our research. When choosing the paint, remember to pay attention to the formula. Choose the type that is low in VOC level. This will bring you great help in staying healthy while getting the project done. Working outdoor, or in spaces with high air ventilation is also a good method.
The paint should be provided by reliable manufacturers. You can find out about the retailers through our links provided above. A smooth coat requires careful preparations. With the 2-in-1 products that combine primer and paint in one container, you can now prepare the surface at an affordable price. Remember to pick the painting tool, too. We highly recommend the paint sprayer. Even if you’ve just getting started with home DIYs, you can still control the paint texture with this tool to achieve the flawless finish. The drying time can vary within the duration of 1 hour, with 30 minutes being the perfect time.
Despite causing harmful effects to our health, VOC is the components that every paint formula must have. On the bright side, many brands have improve in choosing the ingredients to create the paint that is low in VOC level. Although the painting process are instructed with many details, there is still room for improvements. Learn from your experience, and even your friends, then tweak the process accordingly. And most importantly, enjoy the fun of renewing the kitchen cabinets by yourself at home. With lots of practice overtime, you will master the painting technique. As for storing the paint cans, don’t forget to keep them in a cool, dry place and avoid direct sunlight.
Peter Levick
ArchitectI am a licensed architect who is passionate about all things home improvement industries, I have been doing DIY painting projects and have developed lots of experience around home improvement over the 10 years.
