Best Paint Finish for Cabinets?

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Unfortunately, the cabinet maker we hired for our new cabinets doesn’t paint the cabinets. We are seeking a painter to finish the job. What’s the best and most durable option for cabinet paint? Conversion varnish, lacquer, or regular cabinet paint? We have different bids for all three options.

The majority of our cabinets are paint grade with birch boxes. Some of our vanity cabinets are rift white oak, which I just want to seal, not paint. What's the best finish for white oak cabinets?

Thank you in advance! I posted this is another forum, and received harsh feedback about how it was a mistake to not get factory finish cabinets and such. I understand that this situation may not be ideal, but just looking to get advice since we must move forward.

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Comments (4)

K Laurence
4 years ago
Doesn’t the cabinetmaker have someone who does them??? Mine has his own …
lucieanna28
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
He has a few different painters that he usually works with, but I am mainly curious about whether we should use conversion varnish, lacquer, or standard cabinet paint like Benjamin Moore Advance.
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bry911
4 years ago
It is a bit difficult to answer your question as there are different versions of conversion varnish and lacquer.

Any true conversion varnish is going to have Xylene and it should definitely not be sprayed in your home. Really, it should not be used on consumer goods. In the U.S. manufacturers bind the xylene molecules to reach permissible levels, this makes the Xylene offgas less but for longer periods of time. In Europe that is not allowed thus conversion varnish is not allowed.

Having said that, there are some water based products that are marketed as conversion varnish but don't have Xylene. These products are not as durable as true conversion varnish.

Pre-cat and post-cat lacquers are bright and durable but will yellow over time (a fairly short time). CAB acrylic lacquers resist yellowing but are not quite as durable. Lacquers are not exactly good to breath, but much better than CV.

BM Advance is not really a cabinet coating. It is a great product for trimwork, but isn't the best product for cabinets.

There are many durable products that can be sprayed in the home. Two part polyurethane is a good product and safe once it cures. Envirolak is a company with several good products. There are many other products that are durable and good.
lucieanna28
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you, this is so helpful!