Finishes
You can use several methods to finish your cabinet including paint, stain, viynl, and various types of laminate.
Painting your Cabinet
Most builders recommend at least one coat of a tough primer followed by at least two coats of the finish color. The MDF and other particle boards in particular tend to soak up large amounts of paint, so two coats of primer may be required when painting particle board or MDG. Use #320 or #400 grit sandpaper to wet sand your entire cabinet between coats.
Water-based Paint
There are several types available:
- Latex - The term "Latex" is used by some paint companies to refer to their water based paints. There is no natural latex in modern paints.
- Acrylic - "Acrylic" or "Acrylic Latex" paint are water based paints that contain "Acrylic" as the film forming binder ingredient. "Acrylic" provides a non yellowing durable finish. "Acrylic enamel" or "Acrylic latex enamel " paint is a water based acrylic paint with a high durability rating. Typically these paints have a (non yellowing) gloss or semigloss sheen for coating windows, doors, and woodwork trim.
Water based paints dry quickly as moisture evaporates. Their finish is not as shiny or as durable as oil based paints but the ease of clean up makes water based paints a popular choice. They can be cleaned up with warm water and a bit of mild detergent.
Oil-based Paint
Oil (or Alkyd) based paints are usually a bit more difficult to use than water based paint. This is because oil based paints are thicker, therefore requires different types of rollers and brushes. Paint thinner, turpentine and mineral spirits are generally used to thin oil-based paints.
As well, when you use oil based paints, it’s best to paint in well-ventilated areas because it has a much stronger odor.
If you’re using oil-based paint, it’s essential to remember that you’ll usually need to prime the area first. This is because they have a tendency to peel if the area is not primed correctly. This also happens if your base coat is already oil based.
Oil based paint often will bubble during the painting process. Be sure that you don’t shake this paint, but rather stir it. It’s also best if you try to use just one coat when using oil based. This type of paint takes longer to dry than latex paint does, so keep that in mind. Make sure you allow enough ventilation to speed up the process. Depending on the temperature and humidity, each coat may take two or more days to dry. Make sure each coat dries completely and is not tacky to the touch.
It’s vital to remember that oil based paint, is considered toxic and hazardous waste. Caution should be used when disposing of it.
Wood Stain
Wood stain is a type of finish that is low in viscosity and designed to penetrate the surface rather than remaining in a film on top of the surface. Stain is predominantly pigment or dye and solvent with little binder, designed primarily to add color and allow the woods natual grain to show through.
