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how do you pick right paint for wooden kitchen cabinets?

i have old wooden kitchen cabinets...what type of paint should i look for and color scheme???? any tips???

Public Comments

1. Are the cabinets stained? If they are stained, they now sell certain types of paints that can go over stained cabinets. You have to make sure you get the right paint for that. If they are bare wood and it's in the kitchen I would go for an oil-base gloss paint. Color scheme is harder because you weren't specific about your type of design tastes. You could go with a pale yellow on walls with bright white on trim and cabinets...really brightens a dingy kitchen. I prefer brighter colors, but my tastes are more contemporary.
2. Lowes or Home Depot or your local building supply store should be able to help with this...
3. Light colored cabinets are fresher and brighten the space.I would use a semi gloss.
4. It all depends on the finish on it now. Clean them thuroughly,, all surfaces, Use TSP.. Ask at the paint supplier and give them all information on the cabinets. They are trained to know what to use. Besides, there are design books there and maybe you can get some idea. Know what you want. Appliance color dictates alot too. And so do walls, and flooring. Decide, decide, decide.
5. Do not buy Behr paint from Home Depot, it is the worst paint, requires to many coats. Buy Glidden or Sherwin Williams, oil base paint. I hope that you know how to paint with oil base paint, because thats the only paint that durable enough for the kitchen or the bath. The best technique is to spray the cabinets. You should really hire a professional painter, or you could end up with a hell of a mess.
6. if they are stained or varnished, you should prime them with Kilz... then paint them with oil base paint or acrylic latex...... Color: something light...white or cream or any color you like HINT: wear a pair of cheap gloves while painting w/ oil base in small spaces. Another Hint: You'll need paint thinner for the oil base, but just in case you have some on you... baby oil will take it off. Be Blessed!
7. Our cabinets are wood. They were put in during the 70's. We wanted to update the kitchen. Didn't like the dated kitchen the previous owners had put in. We sanded the cabinets. Removed hardware first. Painted with a primer. It is oil based; but allows you to use any type of paint over it. We went with a white latex and then distressed them. We put new knobs on that I got off of ebay.....NEW and CHEAP. I would suggest going with a color that will go with everything. I know I will paint my kitchen before I ever do the cabinets again. Good Luck Kelli If you want, i will get the name of the paint and send it to you. We got it a Lowes. It is an oil based primer. Talk to the paint dept and they will tell you what you need.