If you’re considering updating your kitchen or bathroom cabinets, you need to know about alkyd paint.
Painting cabinets is a really big job, but it is the single most transformative thing you can do to update a kitchen or bathroom. The process seems deceptively simple – all you need is paint and a brush, right? But walking down the isle of any hardware store can be absolutely overwhelming. So many kinds of paints and so many finishes. Oil based or water based? Semigloss or satin? And of course, what about color?
First and foremost, if you’re going to undertake such a project, you need an alkyd paint. Though alkyd paints are known as oil based paints, they actually don’t contain any oil. Alkyd paints differ from latex based paints because of the thinners and binders used in their composition. The thinner, usually a chemical solvent like alcohol, improves the texture and flow of the alkyd paint so that it’s easy to apply. In latex paints, the thinner is water, evaporating once the paint has been applied to a surface, making it difficult to get that smooth, even look.
Binder is a crucial component of any paint. The binder influences the gripping properties of the paint and affects the gloss, the shine, the toughness and the resilience of the finished paint layer. In alkyd paints, synthetic resins are used as the binders. By comparison, water based paints use latex – a less durable binder.
As a result, alkyd paints are the most suitable choice for furniture, cabinetry and trims. Alkyd paints provide a lustrous, heavy duty finish that stands up well to dirt and stains. Durable and easy to clean they are resistant to wear and tear. These paints are widely preferred for high traffic areas in a home such as hallways and play rooms for children. And, alkyd based paints are resistant to humidity and moisture making them a great choice for kitchens and bathroom cabinets. The lustrous finish is also resistant to stains and the cabinets can be wiped down for easy cleaning. Stains are not absorbed easily and discoloration does not set in. Your cabinets will retain a uniform sheen for a long time.
The main drawback of alkyd paints is that they are not as environmentally friendly as latex paints. Because they use chemical solvents, they emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are toxic. Exposure to VOCs can cause health problems such as breathing disorders, nausea, headaches and is dangerous to babies, young children and pregnant women. When using alkyd paints, it is important to ensure you have adequate ventilation and painting your cabinets outside of the house is probably the best way to go.
All the major paint companies make a line of alkyd paints. I happen to like Benjamin Moore’s Advance line of paint products. A premium quality, waterborne alkyd enamel that delivers the desired flow and leveling characteristics of conventional alkyd paint, Advance provides a tough, high gloss finish that stands up to repeated washing. It’s easy to apply, resists spattering, and cleans up with soap and water. Advance Paint is available in three finishes, including satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss as well as a full spectrum of colors.
If you’re considering updating your kitchen or bathroom cabinets, you need to know about alkyd paint.
