Expert: Greg Scholl - 5/4/2010

Question
QUESTION: We are in the process of building a home and I am wanting white cabinets in my kitchen.  Our cabinet man said he would use Birch to paint. But, did warn me that eventually they will show cracking in some areas.  This is quite an expensive project and am just wondering your opinion on the durability of painted cabinets.  There seem to be some many timeless, classic white kitchens that I find it hard to believe that they only look good for a short period of time.

Thanks so much for your time,

ANSWER: Hi Donna, painted cabinets will not be very durable, and you'll be lucky to get 5 years out of them before they start to show quite a bit of wear. A factory finished cabinet will have a life of about 4 times that, or 20+ years, because they do not use paints...they use urethanes or lacquers that are catalyzed finishes. These are extremely tough and durable and don't compare to paints.I would seriously consider factory produced cabinets, for several reasons, and the finish quality and durability is one of the major reasons to choose them. I would advise going to a Home Center, (like Lowes, H.Depot, etc.) and looking at the finish samples available and the cabinet displays, and the reasons for buying factory made cabinets will be come more apparent...and in most cases the price differential between custom made cabinets by a cabinet maker, and factory produced kitchen cabinets will not be a big one, but the features, hardware, and durability of the finishes will definitely give the edge to the factory produced cabinets.....hope that helps a little- post back if need be- regards- Greg

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QUESTION: Thanks Greg
So by factory made, do you still mean real wood?  I know I talked to one person that said they stain their maple cabinets white instead of painting them.  Is this the process you are talking about?  I am not interested in the fake wood but do want something that will hold up over time when the painted cabinetery is actually costing more than stained wood would.  My cabinet maker said they do put a varnish over the painted surface but not sure if this would be equivalent to the staining process.
Thanks so much for your time.
Donna

ANSWER: Yes, real wood, plywoods, etc....anyone can make a decent cabinet, but the finishes are what set them apart, and the kitchen cabinet and office furniture manufacturers are leading the cutting edge of industrial finish materials, and techniques, and these finishes are not something that anyone can apply. Some have upwards of 15 individual steps, and yield some of the most durable, furniture grade finishes on the market today ... I think you're a bit confused....white staining is referred to as 'pickling' where you can still see the wood grain, and it's not a solid color. Solid White cabinets are not stained, they are sprayed with an opaque finish, in that case a white lacquer, conversion varnish or catalyzed Urethane,just like painting a car, essentially, then clear coated over the white using catalyzed urethanes and/or other high tech top coats. These are two component finishes (pre or post catalyzed) that crosslink chemically, to produce an extremely tough, durable finish. Cars are painted with Urethanes and they also are clear coated, very similar techniques and products, yielding a durable, tough finish. What type of varnish are they going to finish with? If he's talking latex paint, then you are not getting a similar finish and it will be quite a bit less durable..especially if they are not using a catalyzed clear coat product.(and these are not recommended over latex paint.) Again, I would suggest you go to a Home Center and carefully examine the state of the art cabinet finishes in person...you will then get a clear idea of what I am speaking about...these are not paints....the typical factory finished cabinet has a life span of 20+ years with zero maintenance....If he is pushing for his finish, I would definitely want to see work he has done before, especially a White kitchen, to examine it and compare it to the factory finishes.Cabinet factory finishes have to meet stringent KCMA standards for toughness, chemical resistance, durability, washability,etc., and if this guy is not familiar with the technology and types of finishes I am describing here, then I would seriously caution you about letting him finish them....

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QUESTION: Thanks for your quick response.  I do know what pickling and have seen that effect.  When I visited our showplace kitchens, they were the ones who talked about this different process other than just painting.  It sounds similiar to what you may be describing.  I plan on visiting them again.  I just wanted to make sure you weren't describing thermofoil cabinets, which I am not interested in.  Our cabinet man did tell me that the painted cabinets would not hold up long term, but didnt seem to offer any other options for the look of white cabinets.  I feel like Im being pushed toward a wood stain and just want to cover all my bases before I give up on my dream kitchen.  I also plan on visiting our local Lowes this evening with my husband as these are decisions we need to be making in the next week or 2.
Thanks so much for your time.
Donna Sandman

Answer
Thermofoil is yet another finish, typically on lesser quality cabinets and furniture....what I'm describing is a sprayed on opaque finish, Lacquer or Urethane based finish... most now using high tech waterborne technology.You will see these finishes at the Kitchen cabinet displays...they represent the 'state of the art' in finishing.....then they will 'clear coat' with a tough, durable KCMA (kitchen cabinet manufacturers association) rated catalyzed or conversion topcoat that will yield a furniture quality finish that will be the most durable, long lasting finish one can get today. This is not something 'Joe the painter' can accomplish....(no disrespect to your Contractors)., but takes high quality equipment, and a high egree of skill and familiarity with the techniques and products.....some of these finishes are even cured by UV light. One can therefore expect 20+ years of little to no maintenance with this type of finish, and it will endure through kids, steam, detergents, household cleaners, and virtually anything els that might be encountered in the harsh environment of a kitchen. As I stated before, anyone can build a decent cabinet...it's really the quality and integrity/beauty/toughness of the finishes that sets these manufacturers apart.Hope that continues to help- regards- Greg