Anyone paint kitchen cabinets before? Oil based or latex?

[jillan]

Hgtv says oil.

DIY says latex.

What do DUers say?

[Stinky The Clown]

1. I painted some laminate covered bathroom cabinets .........

I got a special primer from Sherwin Williams for this very purpose. Can't recall what it is called, but it wasn't **that** expensive ..... maybe 30 bux a gallon. Then I used a good quality high gloss acrylic topcoat.

That was three years ago and it still looks like new.

[jillan]

2. Excellent. There's a Sherwin Williams right around the corner.

Interesting that you successfully painted laminate.
I attempted to paint a laminate table top and went to ACE.
They sold me some spray paint, and let's just say that table top has been in the closet since.
But, eventually I need to fix it up, so that's good to know that it can be done successfully.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. The primer was the key

The top coat was ordinary. In fact, the primer cost more than the top coat did, now that I think about it.

[AlCzervik]

3. i really like oil paint but clean up is the awful. I'd go with Hubs suggestion.

[jillan]

5. Sounds like Sherwin Williams will be getting to know me well.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Yeah, I used to use oil (alkyd, actually) when I wanted a really hard surface ....

..... but acrylic has changed all that. It is as hard as oil based and cleans up like latex.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

7. The primer

[OnionPatch]

8. I just painted mine last winter. I used latex enamel.

The "enamel" part being key. It's pretty high gloss, not sure if that makes a difference but it came out great. Not the slightest peeling, bubbling or anything. The finish is hard as a rock and cleans up nicely. I'm very happy with the results.

Good luck with your project.

[cpamomfromtexas]

9. I painted mine with acrylic and then put several layers of acrylic polyurethane on it

They are rustic italian looking, you can't tell it's not stain. I love it.

Took me a while since I only do this in the evenings when my husband is out of town or on military duty.

[Warpy]

10. Latex paints have improved a lot

but the gold standard is still oil based paint for sheer durability.

Having said that, I painted mine with latex 12 years ago and they're still bright and clean.

[DrDan]

11. yes - I painted mine - first use a good quality primer

then oil.

I am very pleased with the results.

I did 2 coats of each.