The guide below will help you pick products for solid wood cabinets and also work for plywood panel wood veneer and mdf cabinets with proper sanding.
What is the best wood to use for painted kitchen cabinets.
If you don t know what type of paint is already on your cabinets then water based latex formulas are the safest option since oil based paint won t adhere well over latex paint but latex paint can bind to a surface treated with either type of paint.
Maple is a strong competitor though.
Typically you will not need to use a paint additive as it may cause paint to sag and not settle correctly.
Open grained wood has a rougher look and likely needs filler to look good when painted.
The reason for this is that poplar tends to fuzz up during sanding.
It s best to build out of tight grain woods to avoid this.
Wood cabinets are ideal for painting but any surface that can be scuffed with sandpaper can be painted.
Here are a few types of wood best suited for painted cabinets.
Laminate cabinets require a special bonding primer.
The best paint for cabinets will likely state it on the container.
Solid wood laminate or metal.
Associated fabrication over the years poplar was the preferred choice of wood for painted cabinets.
Purchase the appropriate supplies for your type of cabinets.
Wood compressed wood or any material that can be sanded is preferred over laminate for this reason.
Choose the best color.
When choosing cabinet paint make sure it is recommended for use on cabinets.
At the end of the day if you want a rock hard surface that doesn t show brushstrokes or roller marks the professional level paints in particular the alkyds are probably the best way to go for a long lasting result.
Poplar poplar wood image.
Poplar and soft maple are popular for most parts of a cabinet face frames end frames and door panels mostly due to cost and workability.