Question about finishing method options for Custom Cabinets

13 years ago

I am planning a kitchen with custom cabinets--a mix of stained and off-white painted. One of the custom cabinet makers I am considering believes that only paint with brush-marks looks authentic. When I think of painted cabinets, what comes to mind is a smooth durable bullet-proof factory finish. (In the purist (brushmarks required) view, I suppose this type of finish would be considered to be crass, tasteless, offensive...Pick one. But to me, it seems practical.)

I have lurked here for awhile, and see many people mentioning certain colors as popular for white cabinets, BM White Dove, Navajo White, etc. I know that there are special paints just for cabinets, however, it seems that even specialty paint, either sprayed or brushed-on would not be as durable as the finishes one sees on pre-manufactured cabinets.

Recently I visited another maker, who finishes his cabinets in his shop. He sprays them, and his painted finishes look like the factory-made painted finishes. He said they are conversion varnish. I thought that conversion varnish was clear, and used only on stained finishes. I am wondering if conversion varnish is applied over paint, or if it is mixed-in, and the pros and cons of using it?

Does anyone have a painted finish using conversion varnish? How is it holding up? Are there any issues like yellowing over time, etc.? How about painted only--either brushed or sprayed--how often do you repaint? With inset doors, do you have to strip the old paint to avoid so much build-up that the doors won't close? What, exactly are the oprions for finishing custom painted cabinets--and is a shop with a paint booth that pre-finishes better than onsite painting? What issues would differentiate the finish achieved by a local shop with a finishing booth from that of a large manufacturer, such as Woodmode? If anyone has anything to share, or links to finishing information, Thanks!

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Comments (6)

abbeys
13 years ago
Hi Vicky,

I'm sure there are others on this website with more knowledge than I have, but I thought I'd give you my two cents. We are remodeling our kitchen, with custom cabinets that are a mix of stain and painted (off-white). I did a lot of research, and was very impressed with the quality and durability of manufactured cabinet finishes. I think Wood-Mode/Brookhaven painted finishes are considered hard to beat.

After visiting completed projects from a local custom cabinetmaker, we hired him to make our cabinets. Our guy sends the completed cabinets to a finisher, who sprays, glazes, etc... and uses conversion varnish. I thought the conversion varnish was used on the painted as well as stained pieces. We saw a kitchen that was 10 years old, and looked like new. In CA, where we live, there are a lot of environmental regulations, so the finish shops have to have special exhaust systems, etc... to use conversion varnish (some of them don't use it, and some the the locally done finishes don't hold up well - tend to chip, etc...). We were convinced that a "factory like finish" is available from the better local finish shops.

I think that finishes done in the shop are better than those done onsite. Finishing on-site is much more expensive, because they have to tape off the area around the painting, so it's more labor-intensive. (And they may not be able to use the most durable finishes).

I've never heard that only brushed on paint is authentic. I think that is a much less desirable way to paint cabinets - doesn't look as good, or last as long.

Will be interested to see what other posters say on this. Good Luck!
springroz
13 years ago
My antique carriages are painted with brushes. There are NO brushmarks anywhere. It looks better than anything sprayed. I would think that a really good cabinet finish applied with a brush properly would be the same.
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vickevette
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the replies.

I have heard that super-good painters can brush paint without brushmarks but have never seen that rival the factory finishes in terms of durability.

Thanks abbeys, for the helpful info on your research on finishes and conversion varnish. I do have access to a specialty finisher in my area that finishes cabinets in their special facility, so will look into what they can do with conversion varnish. It seems to be the way to go for a really durable finish.
cribbs
13 years ago
I am not a fan of the brush painted cabinets...but maybe it is because we don't have good enough painters around here to make them look good.

Conversion Varnish (CV) is very durable and stain resistant. It is top of the line when it comes to cabinet finishes. It is a two part system that when mixed together starts to harden.

I am a cabinet maker in NC and prefer the cv in a controlled environment booth to a brushed finish.

Travis Alfrey
Aberdeen, NC
vickevette
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Travis--CV sounds like the way to go. I am not a fan of brush marks either!
abbeys
13 years ago
Hi Again Vicky,

Just wanted to let you know that I talked to my cabinetmaker today - he's still installing our cabinets. He said the same thing as Travis from Aberdeen NC. Conversion varnish is the best finish out there. Apparently, the older lacquer type finishes did yellow over time, but he thought CV was "as good as we have" - so I guess there are no guarantees in life, but it's the best. He also said that they do use CV on the painted finishes. They tint it to match the color of the paint, so you don't see it.

The finisher you found sounds like the same kind of finisher we have - a specialist who does nothing but finish cabinets. I'm thrilled with our's. They look every bit as good as the manufactured ones I've seen in showrooms - and have some custom features that would have cost way more from a mfg. Good Luck!