
Can you utilize exterior paint on kitchen cupboards?
This text will discover the advantages and potential drawbacks of utilizing exterior paint on this distinctive software.
We’ll focus on the variations between exterior and inside paint, and what issues needs to be saved in thoughts when making your determination.
Chances are you’ll motive that exterior paint, designed to face up to the weather, might supply elevated sturdiness and safety in your kitchen cupboards.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to grasp the properties of exterior paint in comparison with these of inside paint, in addition to the influence on the general end and look.
Within the subsequent sections, we’ll cowl the important data you have to make an knowledgeable selection in your kitchen cupboard undertaking.
Exterior Paint Vs Inside Paint
When contemplating a paint job in your kitchen cupboards, it’s important to grasp the variations between exterior and inside paint.
On this part, we’ll discover the important thing variations, sturdiness, and end of exterior and inside paint and assist you to make an knowledgeable determination in your undertaking.
Key Variations
Exterior and inside paints are formulated with completely different functions in thoughts.
Exterior paint is designed to face up to harsh climate situations, UV rays, and moisture, whereas inside paint focuses on offering a sturdy, easy-to-clean floor inside your private home.
Some necessary distinctions embrace:
- Resins: Exterior paints use softer, extra versatile resins to withstand cracking and fading, whereas inside paints use inflexible resins for simple clean-up and stain resistance
- Components: Inside paint accommodates components that cut back drying time and distribute pigment evenly. Exterior paint, alternatively, has components to make it weather-proof
- Volatility: Exterior paint tends to emit greater ranges of unstable natural compounds (VOCs) than inside paint, which could be dangerous to your well being if used indoors
- Fungicides: Exterior paint typically accommodates mildewcides or fungicides to guard in opposition to mildew and mildew progress, whereas inside paint doesn’t usually embrace these components.
Sturdiness
One of many major issues when selecting paint in your kitchen cupboards is sturdiness.
Inside paint formulation have been developed to supply a tricky floor that resists on a regular basis put on and tear, corresponding to scuffing, staining, and cleansing.
That is particularly necessary in high-traffic areas like your kitchen, the place your cupboards want to face up to fixed use and cleansing.
Then again, the primary power of exterior paint lies in its potential to withstand the cruel outside parts.
Whereas it might sound advantageous to make use of exterior paint to attain most sturdiness, its composition isn’t optimized for indoor use.
In the end, utilizing exterior paint in your kitchen cupboards might result in a subpar and doubtlessly hazardous end result as a consequence of its greater VOC content material.
End
Kind of end is one other consideration when choosing the suitable paint in your kitchen cupboards. Inside paints usually supply a broader vary of end choices, together with flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss finishes.
The flexibility of inside paint finishes means that you can choose a end that most accurately fits your design preferences and cupboard floor.
Exterior paints, nonetheless, usually can be found in flat, semi-gloss, or gloss enamel finishes.
Furthermore, exterior paint might not adhere as effectively to some cupboard surfaces as inside paint, which is particularly formulated to be used on inside surfaces.
To sum up, whereas exterior paint might appear to be a viable possibility in your kitchen cupboards, it’s necessary to contemplate the variations in composition, sturdiness, and finishes when choosing the correct paint.
Utilizing inside paint particularly designed in your undertaking will in the end result in a safer, extra visually interesting, and longer-lasting end result in your kitchen cupboards.

Making use of Exterior Paint on Kitchen Cupboards
Whereas it’s potential to make use of exterior paint on kitchen cupboards, specific care have to be taken throughout preparation and software.
This part will focus on the mandatory steps to take with a purpose to obtain a profitable end result.
Preparation
To start with, take away the cupboard items as a lot as potential and clear them totally.
This course of might contain some sanding, however it’s important to carry out all preparations in a well-ventilated space with optimum airflow.
When sanding, make certain to take away any earlier finishes to assist the outside paint adhere to the floor.
After sanding, wipe down the cupboards with a humid material to take away any mud and allow them to dry fully.
Additionally, cowl surrounding areas with drop cloths or plastic sheeting to guard them from paint splatters.
Utility Methods
As soon as the cupboards are clear, dry, and correctly ready, start making use of the outside paint. Comply with these steps to make sure a clean and long-lasting end:
- Prime the floor: Utilizing a primer is essential when making use of exterior paint to your kitchen cupboards. Priming ensures a correct bond between the paint and wooden floor, stopping peeling and different harm over time
- Brush software: Apply the paint with a high-quality brush, beginning on the prime of the cupboard and dealing your method down. Use a brush with artificial bristles for water-based paints and pure bristles for oil-based paints.
- Clean software: After brushing on the paint, move the comb flippantly over the moist end within the route of the wooden grain to get rid of brush strokes and obtain a clean end. This system, referred to as “tipping off,” needs to be carried out in a single stroke from one finish to the opposite
- Permit to dry: Let the paint dry in line with the producer’s directions, usually in a single day. This can give the paint sufficient time to harden and attain its full potential resistance in opposition to moisture and different environmental elements.
- Apply extra coats: Relying on the specified protection and end, apply extra coats of paint, permitting enough drying time between every coat.
Do not forget that exterior paint on kitchen cupboards requires a well-ventilated house and enough airflow to take care of the right drying course of.
By following these preparation and software strategies, you possibly can obtain a sturdy and aesthetically pleasing end in your kitchen cupboards.
Execs And Cons Of Utilizing Exterior Paint On Kitchen Cupboards
Benefits
Utilizing exterior paint on kitchen cupboards has some advantages that may be interesting to owners.
Firstly, exterior paint is designed to face up to numerous outside parts, which suggests it may present your cupboards with safety in opposition to moisture, solar harm, and on a regular basis put on and tear.
This type of sturdiness will help prolong the lifetime of your cupboards and keep their look over time.
Moreover, since exterior paint is formulated to endure outside situations, it typically comes with higher resistance to chipping, peeling, and fading.
This may be particularly useful in a busy kitchen, the place cupboards may be uncovered to hazards like steam, spills, and frequent use.
Furthermore, exterior paint typically has an intensive vary of colours and finishes obtainable that may be thrilling to experiment with throughout a kitchen renovation.
This expansive choice makes it potential to seek out distinctive paint choices, permitting you to customise your cupboards and create a standout aesthetic inside your kitchen house.
Drawbacks
Regardless of the potential advantages, there are some downsides to contemplate earlier than utilizing exterior paint in your kitchen cupboards. One notable disadvantage is the potential for fumes and off-gassing.
Exterior paints typically comprise sturdy chemical components that make them sturdy and weather-resistant.
These components can result in sturdy odors and off-gassing, which may be extra noticeable in an enclosed house like a kitchen.
One other difficulty is that exterior paint might not adhere effectively to sure kinds of wooden generally used for kitchen cupboards, like maple or different close-grained species.
Consequently, you would possibly have to strip the prevailing end to make sure correct adhesion or select one other paint possibility altogether in case of adhesion issues with sure woods.
Moreover, exterior paint could be costlier and tougher to work with than normal inside paints.
That is because of the extra efficiency properties and components that make it robust and sturdy.
Consequently, you might face further bills and difficulties when making use of exterior paint to your kitchen cupboards.
Lastly, utilizing exterior paint indoors can pose potential well being dangers.
Some exterior paints comprise excessive ranges of unstable natural compounds (VOCs), which might trigger respiratory points or different well being issues if utilized in enclosed areas with out correct air flow.
Subsequently, it’s necessary to verify the VOC ranking of an exterior paint product and select a low-VOC possibility for those who determine to apply it to cupboards.

Various Paint Choices For Kitchen Cupboards
Whereas some might think about using exterior paint on kitchen cupboards, it’s important to discover various paint choices particularly designed for cabinetry.
On this part, we are going to focus on cabinet-specific paints, completely different paint varieties, and a few fashionable paint manufacturers that can assist you make an knowledgeable determination.
Cupboard-Particular Paints
These paints are formulated to stick effectively and supply a sturdy, long-lasting end on kitchen cupboards.
These paints are often simpler to scrub, proof against moisture and mildew, and have a smoother, extra professional-looking end than common or exterior paints.
It’s all the time a good suggestion to go for cabinet-specific paints when portray your kitchen cupboards to make sure a high-quality end result and improve the longevity of your cupboards.
Paint Sorts
There are a number of paint varieties you possibly can select from for portray your kitchen cupboards. Some fashionable selections embrace:
- Latex Paints: Latex paints have improved significantly through the years and at the moment are a well-liked selection for a lot of DIYers as a consequence of their fast drying time and simple clean-up with water. Nevertheless, you need to search for high-quality latex paints with greater titanium dioxide pigment percentages for higher protection and sturdiness.
- Alkyd Paints: Alkyd paints are water-based paints which have an enamel end just like oil-based paints however with out the oil content material. They’ve a tricky, semi-gloss end and are extra sturdy than oil-based paints. Alkyd paints is usually a nice selection for kitchen cupboards as they don’t want a topcoat
- Satin or Semi-Gloss Paints: Satin or semi-gloss paints are perfect for kitchen cupboards as a result of they’re moisture and mildew resistant and simple to scrub. Their end additionally holds up effectively in opposition to steam and basic put on and tear
Paint Manufacturers
Now that you just’re conversant in completely different paint varieties, let’s take a look at some fashionable paint manufacturers identified for his or her high-quality cupboard paints:
- Benjamin Moore: Recognized for his or her premium-quality paints, Benjamin Moore gives a variety of cabinet-specific colours and finishes to select from.
- Sherwin-Williams: Providing a wide range of cupboard paint choices, Sherwin-Williams is a trusted model with a status for sturdiness and wonderful protection.
- Farrow & Ball: Farrow & Ball is a high-end paint model identified for its distinctive shade palette and superior end, making it a well-liked selection for designers and owners alike.
- PPG Paints: PPG Paints gives a variety of high-quality paints formulated to face up to the calls for of kitchen environments, making certain long-lasting outcomes.
Understand that irrespective of which paint kind or model you select, correct preparation and software are important to attaining an expert, long-lasting end in your kitchen cupboards.

Ultimate Ideas – Is Exterior Paint Good For Kitchen Cupboards?
Utilizing exterior paint on kitchen cupboards is certainly potential, nevertheless it’s important to maintain a number of essential elements in thoughts.
As a result of exterior paint is extra sturdy than inside paint, some owners might contemplate it a sound possibility for his or her cabinetry.
Nevertheless, this further sturdiness comes with potential drawbacks.
One vital consideration is the truth that exterior paint is usually thicker and fewer breathable than its inside counterpart.
This implies moisture from cooking and steam would possibly get trapped behind the painted floor, which might result in points corresponding to cracking, peeling, and general harm over time.
Correct prep work is significant when utilizing exterior paint in your kitchen cupboards.
Eradicating the cupboard items, cleansing them, and presumably performing some sanding are important steps to make sure a clean software course of.
Ideally, this needs to be carried out in an outdoor space with loads of airflows.
Furthermore, sustaining the dryness of exterior paint on kitchen cupboards could be difficult since these surfaces often require a daily quantity of airflow.
Thus, be ready for potential upkeep points for those who select to go together with exterior paint in your kitchen cupboards.
In abstract, utilizing exterior paint on kitchen cupboards is usually a viable possibility, nevertheless it comes with its personal set of challenges.
Weigh the advantages of sturdiness in opposition to the potential downsides fastidiously. When you determine to proceed with exterior paint, you’ll want to dedicate time to correct preparation, software, and ongoing upkeep.
By taking these elements into consideration, you may make an knowledgeable determination in your kitchen cabinetry.