Sprayed or Hand-Painted Cabinets? Choosing the Right Finish for Your Maine Home
Repainting your kitchen cabinets can completely change the look of your kitchen without replacing them. But one decision homeowners may not think about is how they want the finished cabinets to look.
Do you want a smooth, sprayed finish? Or would you prefer a hand-painted appearance with subtle brush strokes that give the cabinets more character?
At Lux Painting, we've done both depending on the cabinets, the home, and the look the customer wants.
The Smooth Sprayed Finish
Spraying cabinets creates a smooth, clean finish with very little visible texture.
This look works especially well in kitchens where homeowners want a more modern appearance. When properly prepared and applied, spraying can give cabinet doors and drawers a consistent finish without visible brush or roller marks.
But a perfectly smooth finish isn't the only option.
The Hand-Painted Look
Some homeowners actually prefer seeing a small amount of brushwork in their cabinets.
Rather than trying to make older cabinets look like they came straight from a factory, subtle brush strokes can complement the character of the wood and give the finished kitchen a more traditional, handcrafted appearance.
The key is controlling those brush marks.
You want enough texture to create character without leaving behind heavy or uneven streaks.
Using Paint Conditioner for a Smoother Finish
When we're looking for that hand painted appearance, a paint conditioner can be added to help the coating flow and level better.
Depending on the Benjamin Moore coating being used, the appropriate conditioner or extender can help reduce noticeable brush and roller marks and improve the working characteristics of the paint.
This allows us to maintain a subtle hand painted appearance while minimizing heavier streaks.
The result can be a nice balance: cabinets that look professionally finished without completely eliminating the character of a brushed application.
Preparation Still Matters Most
Whether cabinets are sprayed or brushed, the final result depends heavily on what happens before the finish coat.
Cabinets collect grease, oils, dirt, and residue over years of everyday use. Proper cleaning and preparation are essential before applying a new coating.
Depending on the existing cabinets, the process may include cleaning, sanding, repairing imperfections, priming, and preparing the surface for the finish coats.
Skipping these steps can affect both the appearance and durability of the finished cabinets.
Which Finish Is Right for Your Kitchen?
There isn't one cabinet finish that's right for every home.
A smooth sprayed finish can be a great choice for a clean, modern kitchen. A carefully brushed finish can work beautifully in an older or more traditional Maine home where maintaining some character is important.
It's one of the reasons we like discussing the finished look with homeowners before starting the project instead of treating every set of cabinets exactly the same.
Cabinet Painting in Southern Maine
Repainting existing cabinets can give your kitchen an entirely new appearance without replacing everything that's already there.
At Lux Painting, we've spent more than 40 years painting homes throughout Southern Maine. From surface preparation to choosing the right application method, our goal is to create a finish that works with the home and the customer's vision.
If you're considering repainting your kitchen cabinets in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel, Wells, Biddeford, Saco, Scarborough, or surrounding Southern Maine communities, contact Lux Painting to discuss your project.
Built on Trust, Finished with Excellence.
