When people enter your home, one of the first things that people see are your kitchen cabinets. They determine the atmosphere in the whole room-sensation of either coziness and traditionalism or lightness and newness. However, in whatever style, one thing is always important and that is the finish. The correct cabinet finish does not only ensure that your cabinets are beautiful but also keeps them out of the way of wear and tear due to daily use.

Getting overwhelmed by all the choices available to use as a finish on kitchen cabinets, it is best to choose the best type of finish that will work in the kitchen. The good news is that no matter what your budget, design or what type of wood you use, there is a perfect product to match every project. This guide will also subdivide the most common kitchen cabinet finishes, their advantages and disadvantages, and the best products available in the market today.

What is Cabinet Finishing and Why It Matters

Finishing of cabinets is the procedure of coating your cabinets with a protective and decorative coating. This finish could be paint, stain, wax or a sealer. It is used to emphasize the natural beauty of the wood, alter its color or provide it with other texture or sheen. More to the point, it provides a long-lasting protection against scratches, stains, and moisture- things that all kitchen cabinets have to deal with every day.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Finish for Cabinets

When choosing the correct cabinet finish consider:

• Durability: To what extent will your cabinets be worn and torn?
• Style: Would you like to have a natural piece of wood or a smooth painted surface?
• Maintenance: There are finishes, which demand higher maintenance costs than others.
• Sheen level: Matte to glossy, it depends on your preference since it determines the intensity of light reflection on your cabinets.
• Eco-friendliness: Low-VOC finishes are most appropriate in case you want a healthier house.

Types of Cabinet Finishes

Oil-Based vs. Water-Based Finishes: Pros and Cons

• Oil-Based Finishes: This type is durable and has a deep rich appearance and can be used in busy kitchens. They have more time to dry and are more smelly and form a hard, durable layer.
• Water-Based Finishes: These are easier to manipulate, dry-up fast, and have no smell. They are not as long-lasting as oil-based, yet they are suitable for DIY projects and environmentally friendly house owners.

Matte, Satin, and Gloss: Which Sheen is Right for Your Cabinets?

• Matte: Flat, non reflective, conceals flaws, but may be stained.
• Satin: Balance of shine, easy to clean and most popular to use in the modern kitchen.
• Gloss: Shiny, reflective and more sleek and contemporary looking-but easy to show fingerprints.

Best Oil-Based Finishes for Cabinets

Top Oil-Based Finishes: Durability and Application Tips

Oil based products are great when one wants the best durable finish on wood cabinets. They are resistant to scratches, stains and moisture and provide wood with a warm and rich appearance.

Popular Oil-Based Products for Cabinet Finishing

• Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane – Excellent when it comes to durability and comes in various sheens.
• Varathane Oil-Based Polyurethane – This is a great product to use in high-traffic kitchens; it has a crystal clear finish.
• ZAR Oil-Based Polyurethane – Easy to apply and does not yellow.

Best Water-Based Finishes for Cabinets

Advantages of Water-Based Finishes

Cabinet finishes that are based on water are preferred because of their ease of cleaning, low odor and easy drying. They are an excellent choice in case you need to complete your project within a weekend.

Leading Water-Based Cabinet Finishes

• General Finishes High-Performance Water-Based Topcoat – This is reputed to be very durable and professional in appearance.
• Benjamin Moore Stays Clear – Does not yellow and ideal with light colored cabinets.
• Varathane Crystal Clear Water-Based Polyurethane – Cheap, simple to apply.

Best Spray Finishes for Cabinets

Why Spray Finishes Work Well for Cabinets

Spray finishes are smooth and factory like and you can not see any brush strokes. They are perfect towards attaining a modern, professional appearance.

Recommended Spray Finishing Products

• Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Ultra Cover – Ideal in DIY use and comes in a variety of colors.
• Sherwin-Williams ProClassic Interior Acrylic Enamel – Ideal when the practitioner wants long-term performance.
• Krylon Fusion All-In-One – Fast-drying and durable for Cabs and furniture

Top Wax and Paste Finishes for Cabinets

Benefits of Using Wax Finishes for Cabinets

Wax finishes are used to give a soft vintage appearance. They lack the longevity of polyurethane, but they are ideal in rustic or shabby-chic.

Best Wax and Paste Products

• Briwax Original Furniture Wax – Famous with its simple use and realistic finish.
• Annie Sloan Soft Wax – Good with chalk-painted cabinets.
• Minwax Paste Finishing Wax – Cheap, and simple to do by yourself.

Best Stains and Sealers for Cabinets

How Stains Enhance the Grain and Depth of Wood

Stains emphasize the natural structure of wood and provide the depth and warmth. Ideal in case you would like to retain the natural appearance but provide a fresh update to cabinets.

Recommended Stains

• Minwax Gel Stain – This is good to apply to cabinets.
• Varathane Premium Wood Stain – It has a variety of colors.
• Old Masters Wiping Stain – Good to achieve professional appearance.

Best Sealers for Extra Protection

• General Finishes Arm-R-Seal – Long lasting oil-based sealer.
• Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish –Water-based and suitable for light-colored woods.

Eco-Friendly Cabinet Finishes

Non-Toxic and Low-VOC Options

Ecological finishes are less harmful to your family and more favorable to the environment. They particularly matter to kitchens where there is a concern of food and health.

Top Eco-Friendly Cabinet Finishing Products

• ECOS Paints Interior Varnish – Non-toxic, low odor and safe in sensitive houses.
• The Real Milk Paint Co. Finishing Cream – Natural, environmentally friendly.
• AFM Safecoat Polyureseal – This is a professional grade low-VOC sealer.

How to Choose the Best Finish for Your Cabinet Project

Factors to Consider

• Wood type: Oak and cherry are good with stains, whereas maple and MDF are good with paint.
• Desired look: Gloss – modern, matte – rustic, satin – versatile.
• Durability: Oil-based to last long, water-based to complete projects in a short time.

How to Test and Choose

You should always put your finish to the small section that is hidden in your cabinet. This is to make sure that you like the color, shininess and overall appearance before rubbing it all over.

Application Tips for a Smooth Finish

Preparing Your Cabinets

The trick to a perfect finish of a cabinet is the preparation. Hurrying on this step may result in irregular results thus you need to take your time on doing it well.

• Remove cabinet doors and hardware – It is best to begin by removing the cabinet doors, drawers and all the hardware, including knobs and hinges. This makes it a lot easier to work on flat surfaces without any form of obstruction. Label the doors and hinges so that you can fit them back in place.
• Sand thoroughly for smooth adhesion – It is important to make the old finish come off and a smooth surface where your new product will stick to. Do the first pass with medium-grit sandpaper (around 120-150) and then use a finer one(220) to give it a silky-smooth finish. Sanding blocks or orbital sanders may accelerate the procedure and provide a smooth outcome.
• Clean with a degreaser to remove oil and dirt – Kitchens are prone to accumulating grease, dust and other dirt. Sand and wipe all surfaces with a degreaser or warm water and mild dish soap. This measure makes sure that there is no oil or dirt that may leave behind thus the bonding of the finish may not be possible. Cabinets should be completely dry to apply any product.

Techniques for a Professional Finish

After prepping your cabinets it is time to finish them with the finish of your choice. The correct technique will be determined by the kind of finish that you are applying and the appearance that you desire.

• Brush application – It is good on a small project or where there are finishes. Water-based finishes should be done with high-quality synthetic brush whereas oil-based finishes should be done with natural brush. Although it is easy to brush your teeth, and easy to brush on, you might be left with brush marks. The way out of this is to make long, straight strokes of the paint, and go with the grain of the wood.
• Spray application – Spraying provides the least durable and the most appealing professional texture, like factory finish. A paint sprayer is used to achieve a smooth finish without streaks and is thus ideal in big projects in the kitchen. Spraying however is more elaborate and would involve the masking of the area and ventilation. When done properly, such an approach can provide you with perfect results that can last several years.
• Wipe-on application – Wipe-on finishes, including stains and wipe-on polyurethanes, are simple to manage and perfect beginners. All you do is put the product on with cloth, sponge or applicator pad and wipe off the excess. This is a more beautiful way to increase the wood grain and to be less prone to leaving streaks or uneven spots.

Maintenance of Finished Cabinets

How to Care for Finished Cabinets

The maintenance is of crucial importance to maintain your cabinets in a state of look and increase the life of your finish.

• Wipe down regularly with a damp cloth – Frequent cleaning will stop the accumulated dirt, dust, and grease. Wipe each day off with a soft, damp cloth, and dry thoroughly to prevent moisture degradation.
• Avoid harsh cleaners that damage finishes – Stripping the finish off or discolouring it can be done by strong chemicals such as bleach, ammonia, or scratchy scrubbing pads. Rather, use mild soap and water or a soft wood cleaner.
• Reapply wax or touch up scratches as needed – In case you have selected a finish of wax, you should see to it that every 6-12 months a coat of thin wax is added in order to keep the coatings and luster intact. With painted or stained cabinets, a small can of similar paint or stain should be kept to make quick touch-ups.

Cleaning and Touch-Ups

• For painted cabinets – Clean surfaces with a small amount of a mild solution of soap-and-water. In case of chips or scratches, scratch it lightly with a sandpaper and put them on with a similar paint. Durability can also be extended by applying a clear topcoat.
• For stained cabinets – Because the stains penetrate the wood, you will have to refresh it every now and then. Apply a clear sealer or polyurethane again after some few years in order to prevent moisture and wear on the wood.
• For wax finishes – Wax finishes need to be maintained more often. Clean the surface as frequently as possible using a soft cloth to shine and also apply the wax where necessary so that you can keep the protective layer intact.

Conclusion

Kitchen cabinets finish is interdependent on what you want to achieve. Want a durable, timeless look? Finishes or stains based on oil are ideal. In a hurry and want to be environmentally friendly? Painting should be done by water-based or spray finishes. Like a rustic, old fashioned one? Wax and paste products will do you that. Whichever option you take, the right finish will protect your cabinets, make them beautiful, and increase their longevity.

The right finish can transform the boring cabinets into the focal point in your kitchen. Slow down, and sample products and decide which one suits your style, price, and lifestyle better.

To explore more, visit JLT Kitchen Refinishing.

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