Debra Lynn Dadd

PAINTING OLD CABINETS

QUESTION:

Hi Debra,
In an effort to cut costs while remodeling moms old kitchen I thought the cabinets could be painted and I could get new hardware. They are solid wood and not in bad shape with a stain on them. My contractor seems to think they will not stay painted or take the paint if a oil based paint is not used. I have talked to some of the people at AFM Safecoat and also Mystic Paints about primers etc and they seem to feel it would be ok with a water based paint. I even looked on DIY and they talk about oil based paint doing the best job.

Do you or any readers have experience with this type of project. I just don't feel like it is necessary to reface or get new cabinets when these are still good.

Thanks Bonnie Johnson

POSTED BY BONNIE JOHNSON :: MICHIGAN USA :: 07/16/2009 3:05 PM

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I just painted some old plywood cabinets a few months ago with Aura paint by Benjamin Moore. The paint is zero VOCs and I painted them myself with no ill effects.

The paint went on very smooth and "heals" itself so there are no brush marks.

You have to sand the cabinets first and not paint over old paint in order for it to stick.

We added new hardware and it looks great!

Debra :-)

COMMENTS:

Thanks Debra.
So I guess that means that it was a non oil based paint used. I found a place that sells AURA here if I don't go with mystic. Did you have to use a primer?
Bunkie

COMMENT FROM DEBRA: Yes, AURA is a water-based paint. We did not use a primer. AURA paint is very thick.

POSTED BY BONNIE JOHNSON :: MICHIGAN USA :: 07/17/2009 7:04 AM

I had problems with Mythic paint not sticking very well to oil painted wood trim- but this is common with painting latex over oil paint. What I did was prime with Zinsser BIN, a shellac-based primer. The alcohol solvent in the paint dissipates quickly, nothing nearly as bad as oil-based paints or primers. BIN did a great job, no sanding at all was required.

www.zinsser.com/product_detail.asp?productid=10

Greyson

POSTED BY GREYSON :: TEXAS USA :: 07/22/2009 9:24 AM

I suggest you test any product for reactions before you do an entire project. Different people react differently to different products. I learned that AFTER painting my bedroom with AFM zero VOC paint a year and 4 months ago. I have just now been able to go back in that room again.

POSTED BY MB :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 07/28/2009 9:22 AM

Thanks for all your replys.
My painter and I have decided to use Aura paint in a guest room. That way I can seal it off with the door open and test daily to see what happens. If I do well we will use it in the kitchen also. If not we will try the Mystic on the cupboards or the AFM Safecoat.There is no exact answer I can see because everyone is different. If I have trouble with both of those next spring I will order some Milk Paint for the bedroom upstairs.
Debra I really love this site. Thank you so much.
Bonnie Johnson

POSTED BY BONNIE JOHNSON :: MICHIGAN USA :: 07/29/2009 6:50 AM

Just one more thing. I was wondering how toxic crackle paint is. My neighbor just used it on his cupboards and they look great. However I did not stay too long for fear of an oder.
Debra..readers?
Bonnie Johnson

COMMENT FROM DEBRA: If the label on paint does not indicate it is less toxic (i.e. water, based, low VOC or made from natural ingredients), then assume it is toxic.

POSTED BY BONNIE JOHNSON :: MICHIGAN USA :: 08/06/2009 10:07 AM

I just found out that the paint is water based but the seal is oil based. Too bad because they look awsome.I think we will stick with Aura on the cabinets.
Bonnie Johnson

POSTED BY BONNIE JOHNSON :: MICHIGAN USA :: 08/11/2009 8:10 AM

Hi Debra:

Did you wear a mask when you sanded your kitchen cabinets before painting them? I am also concerned about the fine dust after the sanding procedure floating around in the air. How did you deal with that?

Thanks so much, Marcia

COMMENT FROM DEBRA: We haven't painted our cabinets yet. But we will wear masks when we sand. Quite a bit of dust was created during the demolition of removing the soffits. The kitchen has two opening where doors used to be. We covered those to keep the dust contained in the kitchen, so it wouldn't go through the rest of the house. We also vacuumed as we went and put a particulate air filter in the room to continue to collect dust.

POSTED BY MARCIA :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 08/17/2009 4:04 PM

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