Should I Polyurethane Over Painted Cabinets

And since this is my last time painting my kitchen cabinets for many years they deserve the nicest sprayed finish i can give them.

Should i polyurethane over painted cabinets. When you apply polyurethane varnish you re actually sealing it in plastic. Not laying cabinets down. The best way to spray or paint cabinet doors is to lay them flat on the ground on top of an object. Many diyers think if they do a light coat or if the temperature will dry the paint quickly it doesn t.

That isn t always practical or feasible though and it is possible to paint over polyurethane and get good results. Applying polyurethane over a painted surface will give it an impeccably smooth finish. Solvent based polyurethane is suited for cabinets coated with oil based paint. It is not suited for cabinets coated with water based flat eggshell or satin latex paint.

However oil based polyurethane tends to yellow as it ages whereas water based varieties stay transparent. So since i used my new favorite polyurethane over the paint on my cabinet doors naturally i ll be using it on my cabinets too. If you apply a solvent based polyurethane over a water based finish potential adhesion problems could lead to flaking. Luckily there are plenty of choices out there that provide long lasting protection and shine for wood.

To ensure good adhesion that will contribute to a durable finish apply a water based polyurethane. Polyurethane can be oil or water based and you can use either kind over latex paint. Painting over finished wood is always risky which is why pros recommend stripping and sanding off the old finish. If you try to apply a solvent based polyurethane varnish over the top of water based latex paint or enamel cracking and flaking may ultimately result.

Not all types of varnish will bond to every kind of paint. Polyurethane works best on unfinished wood but can also be painted directly onto painted surfaces. A polyurethane varnish finish can cut down on the wear and tear of kitchen cabinets help keep them looking new and extend the life of the cabinets. Water based finishes dry quickly and emit significantly fewer chemical odors.

You can use 2 4 planks 5 gallon buckets or painter pyramid stands to lift up small projects and they work well as long as the project isn t too large. Select a satin sheen for easy cleaning with household chemicals that might mar an unprotected decorative painted surface.