Depending on the product you choose, lacquer dries to the touch in under one hour. These sprayers typically don't last as long as a professional sprayer too, especially with frequent use. Your email address will not be published. Sanding and a proper clean up between coats is needed. A 210 tip, or even a 110, works well for spraying the narrow parts of cabinet frames. Something too quick means it wont be prepped or done correctly. https://booth7.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/booth7_logo.jpg. Your comfort level with the person you would be working with. he needs 30 days to prep the area and install, making sure your fence will not only look good when done, but stand tall and firm for years to come. Will I Still See the Grain on Painted Cabinets? These will become very prevalent in areas around your sink and stove and other heavy working areas. Yep tens of thousands of dollars.). The fumes: The biggest disadvantage of lacquer is the terrible smell. We want you to be delighted with your home, and we help make it happen! Cover everything not being sprayed with masking paper and plastic. It is commonly used on musical instruments and wooden products and was once very popular to be used in automobiles. Home - CABINET PAINTING & REFINISHING - Painting Cabinets? We know you want a dream kitchen or at least one you can walk into without cringing: Heres what this kitchen looked like before: As we stated in Part 1, outdated cabinets are a common plague. You can use an HVLP sprayer, but I use my Graco GX-19 airless sprayer with a fine finish spray tip to spray cabinets with white lacquer. Lacquer paint may need several coats to get the right finish, but once it is complete it looks smooth and seamless on furniture and cabinets in the kitchen. De-greasing agents from the paint store (Simple Green and Dirtex) and TSP are good surface cleaners. Call your local paint store and see what they have in stock. Two coats give you better coverage with your topcoats. But I would almost bet you he was retired, had no time constraints, andsaw refinishing cabinets as a labor of love. Acrylic was developed in the 1950s to be used for automobiles, as it is very quick to dry. Kitchen cabinets I sprayed with white lacquer. I switched to my airless sprayer. 3007 Longhorn Blvd I recommend using a pre-catalyzed lacquer for your kitchen cabinets for increased hardness and durability. We all tend to think of clear shiny topcoats when we hear the word, but lacquer comes in different sheens just like paint, and can have a sheer tint like a stain or solid color like paint, so it can be used in any scenario where youre painting cabinets. (By the way, the lovely kitchen cabinets in our header image were painted forInside Story Design, in a lacquer tinted to match Sherwin Williams Repose Gray.) team@papermoonpainting.com, Paper Moon Painting And we tent off any areas were spraying in to contain it all. It will be the only time you will expect or want to have to work on your cabinets in such a manner again. And although its smelly when its being sprayed (theres no way around it! Cabinets have to be cleaned and lightly sanded, followed by a lacquer-based primer surfacer and your topcoats. Even around your cabinet knobs, where your knuckles may simply rub the cabinet face, you will have rub offs, chips, peeling, etc. Send us a photo of your existing kitchen and get a free consultation and estimate today! Lacquer is slightly more expensive than paint, depending on the type you choose. While each type of paint has its own benefits and drawbacks, one may be more suitable for the job youre working on. I always order extra to be safe. It's strong and it lingers. It is not for the faint of heart to be sure. Acrylic enamel, or acrylic alkyd, looks and performs great on cabinets, but when it comes to the long-term durability factor, pre-catalyzed lacquer is superior. The priciest optionis complete cabinet replacement. There you have it! I have them shipped to my local store for color mixing. Everyone seemingly woke up one day and realized they hated their orange (usually golden oak) wood cabinets. Good for him. Its smooth as butter, with no brushstrokes. Use Bondo putty to repair wood damage. Process and materials used. Our staff will respond to your inquiry within a few hours. Unless you're spraying the inside of the cabinets, cover the openings with tape and plastic. Heres why: Do we ever useoil- or water-based paint when were painting cabinets? You can't do that with paint. I can spray a cabinet door and pick it up thirty minutes later without marking the finish. All Rights Reserved. You have to be careful when handling freshly painted doors, especially darker colors that dry slower. Before painting your kitchen cabinets, heres what you need to know about the difference between lacquer and paint. A leak-proof floor protector, not red rosin paper, is best for the kitchen floor. This will not be a cheap option, however this process will still be 20-30% of the cost of new cabinetry. We know that your cabinetry will not experience wind and rain. Worried about lingering paint smell and breathing in hazardous paint fumes? It lasts longer than any of its competitors without chipping and flaking off. Opening windows and setting up box fans to exhaust the fumes makes a huge difference. Make sure the two products you choose are compatible. You can apply a clear coat over painted cabinets to make them more washable, but with lacquer, a separate clear coat isn't needed. Wipe down the cabinets with a damp and clean rag to remove residue from the cleaner. 2022 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. 5616 I-10 And you can always call us at 512-522-4887 (for Austin, TX) or 210-655-3626 (for San Antonio, TX) if you have a question we havent answered! We use traditional paint mainly when were going to apply a decorative glaze or antiqued finish on top, or for a few other specialty considerations otherwise, lacquer wins, hands down. Spray the primer the same way. on Whats the Difference between Lacquer and Paint for Kitchen Cabinets? With the right spray set up, enamel lays out nice too; but after using both, the sprayed finish of lacquer definitely looks and feels smoother. Graco FFLP tips (fine finish, low pressure). The 6-inch spray fan from the 310 covers the surface of the door faster. Have an idea of what you want your kitchen to look like? How NOT to Pick Paint Color 5 Common Mistakes, How to Choose Wallpaper Online Tips and Tricks. You can see our full process. The pre-catalyzed lacquer I use can only be sprayed because it dries too fast for brushing. Enamel usually must dry overnight, or longer, before you can handle the painted doors. I've spray painted hundreds of cabinet doors with white enamel from Sherwin Williams, including Pro Classic and Emerald urethane, but I've recently started using white pre-catalyzed lacquer and achieved excellent results. As for safety, it is hazardous, flammable, and highly toxic, so it should only be used by professionals. Contact Us. Those cheap sprayers from the home improvement store usually cannot be used safely with flammable coatings. We add stain-like tints to clear lacquer to turn your Little House on the Prairie cabinets into up-to-date, richly-toned beauties. Maybe your Uncle Bob did it once. 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Ventilation and a good respirator are an absolute must. This type of lacquer is the most commonly used out of all types of lacquer. Who would you rather go with? San Antonio, TX 78201 The color is Snowbound from Sherwin Williams. At Booth7, we are a one-stop, painting solutions shop. Sandpaper coarser than isn't necessary in most cases. Choosing the company you use should be based on several things: Lacquer products have come a long way over the years, but we still see the same issues on cabinets that were installed this very year. So then you think to hire a professional to do this tedious work. Lacquers can be applied to a variety of surfaces such as wood and metal and they come in a range of colours, as well as clear finishes. If done well, it looks good when finished. Here are some of the main benefits to choosing lacquer over enamel paint when it comes to refinishing your kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Heres another inspiring before-and-after: Use lacquer if you want a furniture-quality paint in a fresh color like gray or white, or in a strong color like blue or black. It remains clear for years and non-yellowing options are available to keep your furniture looking in tip-top shape for a very long time. These products aren't readily available like your everyday paint, so you might have to place a special order locally, or from an online supplier. ), the fast dry time means the smell should dissipate quickly. The GX-19 is a professional Graco sprayer that includes a sealed motor and a long-lasting pump. Dont bewith Booth7, you wont have that problem. Honestly, you have to see it to believe it. Remove all of the hinges and label everything carefully to avoid confusion when installing the doors at the end. Both enamel paint and lacquers can achieve a glossy finish, but lacquer results in a thicker coat. It wont happen from abuse or being mistreated, it will happen from your normal daily usage of the cabinetry. The finish is similar to semi-gloss. If youre looking to give your kitchen a beautiful colour transformation without the hefty price tag, refinishing your cabinets is the best option! Don't sand down to the bare wood, especially oak cabinets. When spraying the frames, don't spray too heavy otherwise you will have a lot of drips to fix. My local Sherwin Williams store doesn't stock either of these products. Youll be paying for those cabinets for quite a while. Mask the kitchen: Spraying cabinets doors and frames white involves a lot of masking. Apply one to two coats of primer. New doors and refacing are next in terms of expense. Even if cabinets are cleaned, done with multiple coats, problems will still occur. The time table that the job will take. Its part of a whole-house remodel project we worked on for Haven Design and Construction in San Antonio. The finish is noticeably harder and smoother than the acrylic enamel I've used in the past. There are many options available if you want to renovate your kitchen, but since lacquer and paint are the two main options, heres what you need to know about the differences between them. Take a look at our Cabinet Galleryand our Kitchen Painting Before and After pages for some of our work painting cabinets with lacquer in both Austin and San Antonio, and call us if you have any questions! Painting is an economical way of giving your kitchen a beautiful transformation without the added costs of installing brand new cabinets. We stand behind our finish and have for 27 years. The pre-cat lacquer I use for kitchen cabinets. Or you could go old school with the complete stripping and restaining of the cabinets. As mentioned above, lacquer is very tough. Doors and drawers need to be taken off site, not done on site. By the way, this technique typically runs 20 50% of cabinet replacement, so you wont need to take out a loan to bring your kitchen into the twenty-first century. Dry time: Pre-cat lacquer dries lightning fast. And why do we think painting cabinets with lacquer is a fabulous option? References of past clients. Our products are the hardest drying, most durable, easiest to clean products when complete that are on the market today. A current trend that many homeowners are into is refinishing or painting their kitchen cabinets. We use only water-based, low VOC lacquer and solvents that are very consumer and household-friendly. Spray the lacquer: Spray the cabinet doors in one direction, overlapping each pass by about fifty percent. Fine finish spray tips: I use a Graco RAC-X tip guard and spray tip, specifically a 310, and this works really well for laying down a nice even coat on cabinet doors. Should I Paint My Cabinets Two Different Colors? And nothing feels quite like the silky-smoothness of lacquer! You can set up a temporary spray booth near a window, using plastic and a box fan for ventilation. Credibility. The key word is tedious. The pro knows what hes in for and will charge accordingly. Copyright 2022, BOOTH7. (512) 522-4887 With catalyzed lacquer, the added catalyst makes the coating dry harder. Painting or refinishing your cabinets is 100% different than painting anything else in your home. Our experienced team offers high-quality, professional kitchen cabinet painting and refinishing services and excellent customer service. You can spray two coats on the backside of the doors on day one and two coats on the front side on day two. We stand behind our finish and processes. This exposes more of the wood grain and damages the wood. The chemical resistance is a lot better than paint. You will complete your cabinet project faster than if you were using paint. Do they warranty their finish against chipping and peeling? WE DO. I use a small airless sprayer with a sealed motor. Can I Use My Kitchen During Cabinet Painting? |. The first option is premixed by the manufacturer or store when purchased, while the second type is a two-part system that the purchaser must mix. The green Graco FFLP tips (fine finish, low pressure) are best for spraying lacquer, or enamel. You can apply a second coat as soon as the first coat is dry to the touch. The smell does gradually dissipate a few days after drying. And since lacquer should only be used in well-ventilated places, you should always hire a professional kitchen cabinet painter to get the job done using the right ventilation, protective material and equipment. From a production standpoint, the fast dry time is a game-changer for my cabinet painting projects. How to Paint Maple Kitchen Cabinets: Tips from Professional, 5 Kitchen Cabinet Painting Ideas for Spring, 10 Kitchen Cabinet Colour Trends to Consider in 2022. Copyright Cabinetry Refinishing Enterprises All Rights Reserved 2022 INTERNET MARKETING BY. White lacquer looks very similar to white paint, but it's smoother and more professional looking in my opinion. Practice spraying on a test board first. I'll explain why. If your cabinets need to be cleaned frequently, lacquer is easier to maintain. Since it is thinner than most products of its kind, it penetrates deeper into the materials, providing a durable seal that protects the wood from the inside-out. Lacquer is hard and durable, and has traditionally been used as a topcoat. It dries to the touch in 20 minutes. Cured is a term used to note when a paint product will get as hard as it will ever get. Both products are meant to be used together. You can spray it with either an airless sprayer or an HVLP sprayer. They don't have a sealed motor. Good ventilation is critical. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Lots of kitchen remodelers, painters, contractors, and builders use lacquer. Cabinet doors I sprayed with lacquer in a low gloss finish. I apply two coats of the Sherwood primer surfacer, followed by two coats of Sherwood Hi-bild lacquer. Since lacquer is thinner than the other finishes, it is almost always applied using a sprayer instead of a roller or brush. Within months, your lacquer finished cabinets will start to show signs of wear and tear. The pot life is three months after mixing. Build a fence to last 1-2 years if you desire, but we want to build you a fence that lasts for decades. Lacquer also comes in different levels of sheen, from matte to high gloss. This sprayer is from the Finish Pro series and is meant more for lacquer and thin coatings, although this sprayer works well for paint too. Our products continue to harden for 30 days (vs. one day for lacquer), then will be fully cured. To get started on your kitchen renovation and have your cabinets painted, fill out our online form or contact us at info@booth7.com. Coating hardness: I have used both acrylic and acrylic alkyd enamel, which dries harder than regular acrylic, but there isn't a huge difference in hardness between the two. Unlike paint, which is thicker and can absorb moisture in wood causing it to soften over time, lacquer is much more flexible and can adapt to the expanding and contracting of wood surfaces. Youll save tons of space in the landfill, plusthe savings you getby not having to replace your counters, sinks, and faucets while youre at it. Suite 103 Surface cleaning: Since lacquer is solvent-based, it covers over surface stains better than water-based primer and paint, but you don't want to be spraying it over grease and contaminants. Lets say you are going to have someone install a fence in your yard that you want to stand tall and sturdy for years to come. Should I Paint my Kitchen Cabinets Myself? Caulk and repair: The grooves of the recessed panels on cabinet doors look nicer when caulked and painted, but I don't recommend caulking them. Cabinets endure spills, water, bumps, dings, and more. Our products take 5-6 hours to dry to the touch. And if you want to retain the look of stained woodwork, we use lacquer for that too. It will get as hard as it will ever get in 24 hours. Suite 100 Dry and cure time is necessary before transporting fronts back to your home for install, etc. This is a cheap and fast way to get the job done. Wear and tear can dull down the look of lacquer, which is why is can be polished to maintain its lustrous appearance. It is designed to be chip-resistant, waterproof, and breathable. This is practically a kitchen remodel in itself, by the time youve added the cost of replacing counters and sink. Lacquer lays down perfectly when its sprayed, and melts into a truly furniture-quality finish that will make your cabinets seems like you bought them that way, rather than taking the design low-road. A lacquer paint is clear coating that, when dried, produces a solid, durable finish. Paper Moon Painting. All Rights Reserved. Use fine-grit sanding pads, or sponges, for tight corners and grooves. 225 McNaughton Road East, Unit #3, They will collect their deposit from you, take cabinet fronts off site, and then show up weeks or months later saying they got backtracked. The Difference between Lacquer and Latex Paint: Which Is Better for Kitchen Cabinet Painting? Lacquer is thin in consistency and lays out super smooth when sprayed. Paint de-glosses from cleaning too aggressively, or from chemical cleaners. Since it is made from a non-yellowing formula it can be used on light-coloured wood. Whats the Difference between Lacquer and Paint for Kitchen Cabinets? The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Unlike other paints, lacquer reactivates each coat underneath it to allow for a smooth, level finish, even if you apply multiple coats. The main reason why homeowners and professionals like this type of lacquer is that the chemical reaction that forms the finish makes it highly durable. Lightly sand: The only sanding needed is light scuff sanding to dull the surface gloss. On the flip side, some builders or contractors can lead you on for weeks or months. So what are your options for painting or updating your cabinets? https://booth7.com/difference-between-lacquer-and-paint-for-kitchen-cabinets/. Make sure you order enough material for your project. Vaughan, ON L6A 4P5. Choosing a sprayer: To get a smooth and uniform finish, you have to spray on a wet coat quickly. We warranty our finish because we know we give a long lasting, durable cabinet. But those who tryrefinishingcabinets this way soon realize the daunting task they have undertaken. Caulking these gaps can cause the caulk to crack when the wood expands. A high adhesion primer coat is necessary for a long lasting finish.