
Can you employ exterior paint on kitchen cupboards?
This text will discover the advantages and potential drawbacks of utilizing exterior paint on this distinctive utility.
We’ll talk about the variations between exterior and inside paint, and what concerns needs to be stored in thoughts when making your resolution.
You might purpose that exterior paint, designed to resist the weather, might supply elevated sturdiness and safety on your kitchen cupboards.
Nonetheless, it’s essential to know the properties of exterior paint in comparison with these of inside paint, in addition to the affect on the general end and look.
Within the subsequent sections, we’ll cowl the important data you could make an knowledgeable selection on your kitchen cupboard mission.
Exterior Paint Vs Inside Paint
When contemplating a paint job on your kitchen cupboards, it’s important to know 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 show you how to make an knowledgeable resolution on your mission.
Key Variations
Exterior and inside paints are formulated with totally different functions in thoughts.
Exterior paint is designed to resist harsh climate circumstances, UV rays, and moisture, whereas inside paint focuses on offering a sturdy, easy-to-clean floor inside your house.
Some vital distinctions embody:
- Resins: Exterior paints use softer, extra versatile resins to withstand cracking and fading, whereas inside paints use inflexible resins for straightforward clean-up and stain resistance
- Components: Inside paint comprises components that scale back drying time and distribute pigment evenly. Exterior paint, then again, has components to make it weather-proof
- Volatility: Exterior paint tends to emit greater ranges of risky natural compounds (VOCs) than inside paint, which might be dangerous to your well being if used indoors
- Fungicides: Exterior paint usually comprises mildewcides or fungicides to guard towards mildew and mildew development, whereas inside paint doesn’t sometimes embody these components.
Sturdiness
One of many main considerations when selecting paint on your kitchen cupboards is sturdiness.
Inside paint formulation have been developed to offer a tricky floor that resists on a regular basis put on and tear, equivalent to scuffing, staining, and cleansing.
That is particularly vital in high-traffic areas like your kitchen, the place your cupboards want to resist fixed use and cleansing.
However, the principle power of exterior paint lies in its means to withstand the tough out of doors parts.
Whereas it might sound advantageous to make use of exterior paint to attain most sturdiness, its composition isn’t optimized for indoor use.
Finally, utilizing exterior paint in your kitchen cupboards might result in a subpar and probably hazardous outcome on account of its greater VOC content material.
End
Sort of end is one other consideration when choosing the suitable paint on your kitchen cupboards. Inside paints sometimes supply a broader vary of end choices, together with flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss finishes.
The flexibility of inside paint finishes permits you to choose a end that most accurately fits your design preferences and cupboard floor.
Exterior paints, nevertheless, sometimes can be found in flat, semi-gloss, or gloss enamel finishes.
Furthermore, exterior paint might not adhere as properly to some cupboard surfaces as inside paint, which is particularly formulated to be used on inside surfaces.
To sum up, whereas exterior paint might look like a viable possibility on your kitchen cupboards, it’s vital to contemplate the variations in composition, sturdiness, and finishes when choosing the suitable paint.
Utilizing inside paint particularly designed on your mission will finally result in a safer, extra visually interesting, and longer-lasting outcome on your kitchen cupboards.

Making use of Exterior Paint on Kitchen Cupboards
Whereas it’s potential to make use of exterior paint on kitchen cupboards, explicit care should be taken throughout preparation and utility.
This part will talk about the required steps to take with a purpose to obtain a profitable outcome.
Preparation
To start with, take away the cupboard items as a lot as potential and clear them completely.
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, ensure that to take away any earlier finishes to assist the outside paint adhere to the floor.
After sanding, wipe down the cupboards with a moist fabric 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 Strategies
As soon as the cupboards are clear, dry, and correctly ready, start making use of the outside paint. Observe these steps to make sure a easy 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 utility: Apply the paint with a high-quality brush, beginning on the high of the cupboard and dealing your means down. Use a brush with artificial bristles for water-based paints and pure bristles for oil-based paints.
- Easy utility: After brushing on the paint, move the comb evenly over the moist end within the route of the wooden grain to get rid of brush strokes and obtain a easy end. This system, referred to as “tipping off,” needs to be performed in a single stroke from one finish to the opposite
- Permit to dry: Let the paint dry in response to the producer’s directions, sometimes in a single day. This may give the paint sufficient time to harden and attain its full potential resistance towards moisture and different environmental components.
- Apply extra coats: Relying on the specified protection and end, apply extra coats of paint, permitting ample drying time between every coat.
Keep in mind that exterior paint on kitchen cupboards requires a well-ventilated area and ample airflow to keep up the correct drying course of.
By following these preparation and utility methods, you’ll be able to 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 is likely to be interesting to householders.
Firstly, exterior paint is designed to resist numerous out of doors parts, which suggests it could possibly present your cupboards with safety towards moisture, solar harm, and on a regular basis put on and tear.
This sort of sturdiness may also help lengthen the lifetime of your cupboards and keep their look over time.
Moreover, since exterior paint is formulated to endure out of doors circumstances, it usually comes with higher resistance to chipping, peeling, and fading.
This may be particularly useful in a busy kitchen, the place cupboards is likely to be uncovered to hazards like steam, spills, and frequent use.
Furthermore, exterior paint usually has an in depth vary of colours and finishes out there that may be thrilling to experiment with throughout a kitchen renovation.
This expansive choice makes it potential to search out distinctive paint choices, permitting you to customise your cupboards and create a standout aesthetic inside your kitchen area.
Drawbacks
Regardless of the potential advantages, there are some downsides to contemplate earlier than utilizing exterior paint in your kitchen cupboards. One notable downside is the potential for fumes and off-gassing.
Exterior paints usually include robust chemical components that make them sturdy and weather-resistant.
These components can result in robust odors and off-gassing, which is likely to be extra noticeable in an enclosed area like a kitchen.
One other problem is that exterior paint might not adhere properly to sure varieties of wooden generally used for kitchen cupboards, like maple or different close-grained species.
In consequence, you may have to strip the present end to make sure correct adhesion or select one other paint possibility altogether in case of adhesion issues with sure woods.
Moreover, exterior paint might be costlier and more durable to work with than customary inside paints.
That is as a result of extra efficiency properties and components that make it robust and sturdy.
In consequence, it’s possible you’ll 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 include excessive ranges of risky natural compounds (VOCs), which might trigger respiratory points or different well being problems if utilized in enclosed areas with out correct air flow.
Due to this fact, it’s vital to test the VOC ranking of an exterior paint product and select a low-VOC possibility in the event you 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 different paint choices particularly designed for cabinetry.
On this part, we’ll talk about cabinet-specific paints, totally different paint sorts, and a few standard paint manufacturers that can assist you make an knowledgeable resolution.
Cupboard-Particular Paints
These paints are formulated to stick properly and supply a sturdy, long-lasting end on kitchen cupboards.
These paints are often simpler to wash, 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 outcome and enhance the longevity of your cupboards.
Paint Varieties
There are a number of paint sorts you’ll be able to select from for portray your kitchen cupboards. Some standard selections embody:
- Latex Paints: Latex paints have improved significantly through the years and are actually a preferred selection for a lot of DIYers on account of their fast drying time and straightforward clean-up with water. Nonetheless, it’s best 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 much 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 generally is 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 straightforward to wash. Their end additionally holds up properly towards steam and common put on and tear
Paint Manufacturers
Now that you just’re accustomed to totally different paint sorts, let’s have a look at some standard paint manufacturers recognized for his or her high-quality cupboard paints:
- Benjamin Moore: Recognized for his or her premium-quality paints, Benjamin Moore provides 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 recognized for its distinctive colour palette and superior end, making it a preferred selection for designers and householders alike.
- PPG Paints: PPG Paints provides a spread of high-quality paints formulated to resist the calls for of kitchen environments, making certain long-lasting outcomes.
Remember that irrespective of which paint sort or model you select, correct preparation and utility are important to attaining knowledgeable, long-lasting end in your kitchen cupboards.

Remaining Ideas – Is Exterior Paint Good For Kitchen Cupboards?
Utilizing exterior paint on kitchen cupboards is certainly potential, but it surely’s important to maintain just a few essential components in thoughts.
As a result of exterior paint is extra sturdy than inside paint, some householders might contemplate it a legitimate possibility for his or her cabinetry.
Nonetheless, this further sturdiness comes with potential drawbacks.
One essential consideration is the truth that exterior paint is usually thicker and fewer breathable than its inside counterpart.
This implies moisture from cooking and steam may get trapped behind the painted floor, which might result in points equivalent to cracking, peeling, and total harm over time.
Correct prep work is important when utilizing exterior paint in your kitchen cupboards.
Eradicating the cupboard items, cleansing them, and presumably doing a little sanding are important steps to make sure a easy utility course of.
Ideally, this needs to be performed in an out of doors space with loads of airflows.
Furthermore, sustaining the dryness of exterior paint on kitchen cupboards might be difficult since these surfaces often require an everyday quantity of airflow.
Thus, be ready for potential upkeep points in the event you select to go along with exterior paint in your kitchen cupboards.
In abstract, utilizing exterior paint on kitchen cupboards generally is a viable possibility, but it surely comes with its personal set of challenges.
Weigh the advantages of sturdiness towards the potential downsides fastidiously. If you happen to determine to proceed with exterior paint, be sure you dedicate time to correct preparation, utility, and ongoing upkeep.
By taking these components under consideration, you can also make an knowledgeable resolution on your kitchen cabinetry.