When remodeling or replacing your kitchen cabinets, applying a top coat is an important consideration. A top coat acts as a protective barrier and can enhance the look and durability of your cabinets. In most cases, kitchen cabinets will benefit from having a top coat applied. There are several factors to weigh when deciding if your particular kitchen cabinets need a top coat.

What is a Top Coat?

A top coat refers to a final, outermost layer of paint, stain, glaze, or other finish that is applied over the base coat(s) on kitchen cabinets. Top coats are designed to protect the underlying wood or laminate material, while also providing aesthetic qualities like sheen and color.

There are several types of top coat finishes to consider for kitchen cabinets:

Paint – Paint top coats provide a solid opaque color in finishes like matte, eggshell, satin, and high-gloss. Paint adheres well to wood, MDF, and laminate.
Stain – Stain soaks into the woodgrain to provide rich transparent color with options for different sheens. Stain top coats work best on natural wood cabinets.
Glaze – Glazes are heavily pigmented translucent finishes used to create an aged or distressed look. They are applied over paint or stain.
Varnish – Clear varnishes provide a hardened transparent finish in matte, satin, semi-gloss or high-gloss sheens. Polyurethane is a popular type of varnish top coat.
Oil – Oils like tung oil penetrate into wood to provide a low-sheen natural finish that accentuates grain. Oils are less durable than varnishes.
Wax – Wax is applied as a top coat to provide a soft luminous sheen and protective layer. It is best for lightly used surfaces.
Lacquer – Lacquer dries quickly into a durable glossy finish and resists scratches and fading. It is commonly sprayed on by professionals.
Shellac – Shellac is an old-fashioned top coat made from resin secretions of the lac beetle diluted with denatured alcohol to create a shiny, durable finish.

The specific advantages and disadvantages of each top coat vary, but in general top coats enhance appearance, durability, and protection.

The Benefits of a Top Coat for Kitchen Cabinets

Applying a top coat finish provides a range of benefits that can dramatically improve the look, performance, and longevity of your kitchen cabinets:

Enhanced Appearance

Top coats create a smooth, consistent surface and enable your choice of sheen from ultra matte to high gloss. They make the color or stain shade more vivid and uniform. Distressing and glazing effects are also achieved with top coats.

Increased Durability

Top coats form a protective barrier that seals the cabinet material underneath. This prevents moisture, spills, grease, dirt and other contaminants from penetrating the finish. Durability is especially important for heavily used kitchen cabinets.

Easier Cleaning

The slick sealed surface resists grime buildup and wipes clean more easily with just a damp cloth. Top coats prevent food and liquids from being absorbed into the cabinet finish.

Protection from UV Rays

Exposure to sunlight can cause finishes to fade, discolor or yellow over time. A top coat creates a UV-resistant sealant layer to minimize sun damage.

** Resistance to Wear and Tear**

Kitchen cabinets are subject to bumps, scratches, and scuffs from daily use. Top coats provide a hardened shield to withstand minor abrasions and scrapes without damaging the underlying finish.

Minimized Damage from Moisture

Repeated exposure to moisture from sinks, appliances and cleaning can cause cabinets to warp, swell or delaminate without a top coat. The top coat seal prevents moisture penetration into the wood or laminate material.

Ease of Touch-ups

When nicks and wear eventually occur after years of use, simply applying a fresh top coat allows for easy DIY spot repairs. Without a top coat, more extensive refinishing is required to fix blemishes.

Improved Sanitation

The non-porous surface of a top coat prevents bacteria, mold and mildew from growing within the finish itself. This improves kitchen hygiene and cleanliness.

Enhanced Cabinet Longevity

All of these protective qualities add up to extending the useful life span of your kitchen cabinets significantly. Cabinets with a quality top coat can realistically last 20-30 years or more with proper care.

Factors That Determine if Cabinets Need a Top Coat

While a top coat has clear advantages, it isn’t an absolute necessity for every kitchen cabinet project. Certain factors determine if a top coat is recommended or required:

Cabinet Materials

Unfinished wood – Bare wood cabinets will quickly show wear, moisture damage, and stains without a protective top coat. All unfinished wood cabinets should have one applied.
Pre-finished wood – Factory finished cabinets may have a sufficient top coat, but an extra coat adds durability and facilitates touch ups.
Laminate – Plastic laminate cabinets benefit from top coats for resisting scuffs, enhancing sheen, and easing cleaning.
Thermofoil – These decorative laminate covered cabinets are very durable on their own but a top coat can improve stain resistance.
Painted – Previously painted cabinets should be lightly sanded and receive a fresh top coat of paint for best results.

Type of Use

High use kitchens – Cabinets subjected to heavy daily use need a top coat to withstand wear. This includes large families, avid cooks, active kids, and pets.
Low to normal use – With careful use, top coats may not be mandatory, but still improve durability and appearance significantly.
Bathroom vanities – Top coats are advisable for bathroom vanities to protect against moisture damage.

Quality of Base Coat

Problematic base coat – If the underlying paint or stain was applied improperly and is prone to peeling or chipping, a quality top coat is essential.
Porous surfaces – On bare wood or laminate that absorbs liquid easily, a top coat prevents this moisture damage.
Great base coat – When performed correctly, staining or painting may not absolutely need a top coat but is still recommended for added protection.

Desired Aesthetics

Color/stain transparency – Top coats enhance the richness of colors and ability to see wood grain below stains.
Sheen preferences – Top coats allow you to customize sheen from ultra matte to high gloss finishes.
Distressed/aged look – Glazes, antiquing, and other specialty effects rely on top coats to achieve the desired nostalgic charm.
Touch-ups – Top coats simplify touching up nicks and dings while keeping a uniform appearance.

Budget

DIY projects – Top coats don’t significantly increase costs for budget-friendly DIY makeovers. Protecting the efforts of your handiwork is important.
Professionally applied finishes – Top coats may represent a fraction of the total expense of high-end cabinet refinishing or replacement. Maximizing durability ensures value.
Quick flips – Some low-budget quick home flips may skip top coats, but this compromises quality and new owner satisfaction.

Expected Lifespan of Cabinets

Long-term kitchen cabinets – Any cabinets expected to last for over 10 years of use will benefit from the durability and longevity added by a top coat.
Short-term rentals/flips – For cabinets that will see only 1-5 years of use before being redone, top coats are lower priority but still a good idea if budget allows.

Recommended Types of Top Coats for Kitchen Cabinets

Certain top coat product types are better suited for use on kitchen cabinets:

Paint – For a painted cabinet finish, high quality cabinet-grade enamel paints pair durability with scrubbable low sheens like eggshell or satin. Semi-gloss provides even higher stain and moisture resistance.

Stain & Varnish – Wipe-on oil based polyurethane or varnish creates a durable yet transparent top coat to protect stained wood cabinets while allowing the grain and color to show through beautifully.

Glaze – On painted cabinets, glazing adds a sheer tinted top coat that settles into corners and details to create a distressed antique look.

Polyurethane – Water-based or oil-based poly gives maximum abrasion and moisture resistance. It comes in wipe-on formulas for easy DIY application in gloss, semi-gloss and matte sheens.

Acrylic – Water-based acrylic finishes apply easily with water clean-up and are very durable and fast-drying. Use over paint for added protection and sheen.

Lacquer – For a super strong and water-resistant top coat with high shine, lacquer sprays on smoothly, although it requires professional expertise.

Wax – Providing a gentle low luster sheen, wax is a top coat option for cabinets in low use areas or rustic styles, but requires frequent renewal.

Applying a Top Coat to Kitchen Cabinets

Once you’ve decided a top coat is right for your kitchen cabinet project, proper application technique is key:

Carefully read and follow the product directions for prep, dry time between coats, and any special application instructions.
Lightly sand and clean cabinets first to remove any dust or residue and improve top coat adhesion.
Use a high quality brush designed for the specific top coat product being applied. Foam brushes apply the thinnest, most even coat.
Maintain a “wet edge” by brushing continually and smoothly without allowing overlapping strokes or drips to dry before blending. Work from side to side, not top to bottom.
Work in sections starting at the back of cabinets and moving forward to exit cleanly without getting trapped.
Apply coats as thinly as possible while still getting full coverage. Thin coats ensure a smooth finish.
Allow proper dry time between coats as specified by the product, testing carefully before adding more.
Sand lightly with 220 grit after the last coat, then wipe clean before applying a final top coat for an ultra smooth finish.
Work in a dust-free space with adequate ventilation, avoiding direct sunlight, heat, or humidity extremes during application and curing.

Maintaining and Refreshing Top Coats Over Time

A top-coated kitchen cabinet finish will last for many years. But over time some maintenance steps may be needed:

Clean cabinets regularly using only a soft microfiber cloth with warm water and mild soap as needed. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
Rinse immediately if any spills occur to prevent possible damage to the top coat.
Reapply a fresh top coat layer periodically when sheen begins looking dull or worn. Light sanding may be required first.
Spot repair minor nicks and scratches as soon as possible by hand sanding then brushing on new top coat in the affected area.
If water damage swells or delaminates cabinet surfaces, the damaged areas will need to be sanded, filled, reprimed and recoated fully.
When top coat finishes eventually fail after years of heavy use, complete stripping and refinishing may be required.

DIY vs Professional Top Coat Application

Applying top coats to kitchen cabinets can be accomplished successfully as a DIY project if proper precautions are taken:

Careful surface prep and using high quality brushes and products designed for easy use by beginners is vital.
Limiting work to one or two cabinet surfaces at a time is wiser than tackling all cabinetry at once for novice DIYers.
Seeking hands-on guidance from experienced DIYers or watching detailed tutorial videos can help avoid rookie mistakes.
Being patient with allowing proper dry times takes discipline for DIYers anxious to see results quickly.
While intimidating at first, most homeowners can learn to apply top coats well with practice on scrap materials and small sections at a time.

Hiring professional refinishers may be wise in certain situations:

For massive cabinet makeover projects on intricate cabinetry or tight timelines, a pro may deliver better results more efficiently.
Older cabinets with failing finishes or layers of buildup may call for abilities beyond an average DIYer’s comfort zone and tool availability.
Spray applications of products like lacquer require professional equipment and skill for the best outcome.
If you know yourself to be clumsy, impatient or easily frustrated by finicky handiwork, hiring a pro often eases stress and anxiety.
SeekingDirection from experts can help identify the best top coat options for your specific cabinet material and needs.

FAQs About Top Coats on Kitchen Cabinets

Do new pre-finished cabinets need another top coat?

Factory finishes are usually adequate protection, but an extra top coat adds durability, especially on cabinets expected to see heavy long-term use.

What sheen level is best?

A satin or semi-gloss sheen provides the best blend of aesthetic appeal and durability for top coating kitchen cabinets. High gloss shows more defects while matte finish scuffs easily.

How many top coats are needed?

2-3 thin top coats are ideal for kitchen cabinets. Less than 2 compromises protection while more tends to create a thick finish prone to drips and uneven texture.

Will the top coat change the color underneath?

Top coats enhance rather than alter underlying colors, but should be tested first. Gentle distressing may lighten or add warmth to a top coated paint or stain color.

How long does it take to fully cure?

Most top coats cure fully in 5-7 days. The cabinetry should not be used regularly during this time to prevent damage to the curing finish.

Can I top coat over chalk paint?

Yes, chalk paint’s powdery composition requires multiple thin top coats of wax or acrylic sealer for a smooth durable finish.

What top coat works with an antique glazed look?

A glaze top coat is ideal for retaining and protecting the visibility of antique-style distressing effects underneath.

Should I tape off hinges or remove doors?

Removing doors makes application easier, but taping hinges to limit drips works too. Just remove tape immediately after coating.

How do I fix blotchiness or brush marks?

Lightly sanding then adding one more thin top coat typically allows the finish to level out and eliminates minor defects.

Conclusion

Applying a durable top coat finish should be strongly considered for most kitchen cabinet projects, whether DIY or professionally completed. While not always an absolute requirement, top coats provide immense benefits by enhancing appearance, ease of cleaning, protection from moisture and wear, and greatly extending the usable lifespan of your cabinetry. An investment in high quality preparation and application of the right top coat for your cabinet materials and needs will pay dividends for many years down the road. With proper care and maintenance, your top-coated kitchen cabinets will maintain their beauty while withstanding daily use and continuing to function flawlessly for decades to come.

Do Kitchen Cabinets Need a Top Coat?