When it comes to painting kitchen cabinets yourself, there are many options for the average homeowner. This isn’t an item where you want to spend less – you don’t need to purchase a lot of paint so spend money on good products.
I recommend using a primer and paint from the same manufacturer – the products will always work together. If you use products from different companies, there is a chance they won’t play well together. You don’t want to redo this project so look for primers and paints from one source.
Benjamin Moore Scuff-X is a water-based paint that is designed for high-traffic areas and has become our paint of choice for wood surfaces, making it perfect for kitchen cabinets. It is a low-odor, low-VOC paint that dries quickly and has a smooth, hard finish. It is available in different levels of sheen. We prefer satin or semi-gloss for cabinets. We use Benjamin-Moore Stix primer on any wood surface that we will be painting with Scuff-X. Scuff-X is also easy to clean and maintain, making it a great choice for busy households.
Benjamin Moore Advance is another great option for kitchen cabinets. We use this when the faster drying time of Scuff-X isn’t required. This paint is also water-based and has a low-odor, low-VOC formula. It is specially designed to have a smooth and hard finish that is highly resistant to scratches, stains, and heat. You need to wait 16 hours between coats of paint so keep that in mind if you plan on doing multiple coats, you’ll need to allow time for Advance to cure.
Sherwin-Williams also has good options for kitchen cabinets. ProClassic Interior Acrylic Latex Enamel and ProEnamel Interior Acrylic Latex are also designed for high-traffic areas and offer excellent durability and resistance to scratches, stains, and heat. The Emerald line is a frequent favorite for contractors and is user friendly for homeowners as well.
Nothing will be able to withstand all scratches or chips, but these products give you a very durable finish that is easy to keep clean.
