Painting kitchen cabinets can transform the look of your kitchen with a fresh coat of color. But once you’ve painted your cabinets, should you take the extra step to seal them? There are good reasons to seal painted cabinets, along with a few instances when sealing may not be necessary.
Why Seal Painted Cabinets?
Sealing painted cabinets provides an extra layer of protection in several ways:
Enhances Durability
One of the key reasons to seal painted cabinets is to make the paint job more durable. The sealant adds a protective barrier that helps the paint resist damage from moisture, grease splatter, and everyday wear and tear. This can help keep your painted cabinets looking fresh and new for longer.
Reduces Chipping and Scratching
Without a sealant, painted cabinets are more prone to chipping, scratching, and showing signs of damage. A tough sealant makes the paint more resilient and able to stand up to bumps and bangs without revealing the underlying wood. This is especially important for cabinets in high-traffic areas.
Easier to Clean
Sealed cabinets repel water, oil, and grime, making them much easier to wipe down and keep clean. Grease and spills can stain and adhere to unsealed paint over time. But a good sealant allows you to simply wipe away messes with soap and water.
Minimizes Discoloration
Exposure to light, grease, and moisture can cause painted cabinets to fade, yellow, or develop a dingy patina over time. Proper sealing blocks out many of the environmental factors that degrade paint. Sealed cabinets maintain their colorful, vibrant look for years longer.
Prevents Off-Gassing
Some paints continue emitting VOCs and strong fumes for days or weeks after application. This “off-gassing” can be minimized by sealing the paint once fully cured. The sealant traps remaining VOCs under an airtight barrier.
When You Don’t Need to Seal
While sealing provides many benefits, it may not be strictly necessary in every situation. Here are a few instances where sealing painted cabinets is optional:
For Light Use Kitchens
If your kitchen sees only light use, the cabinets may hold up fine without sealing. For example, painted cabinets in vacation properties or little-used kitchens have less need for the added protection. The light use means less exposure to grease, moisture, and potential damage.
With High-Quality Primer
A strong primer specially formulated for painting cabinets provides a good base layer of protection on its own. As long as you use a dedicated primer, the topcoats of paint may seal well enough without adding a separate sealant.
For Open Shelving
Open cabinets or shelving units often don’t need sealing. Since the backs of the shelves aren’t exposed, sealing is only needed on the frontsides which see less wear. Opting not to seal may also allow paint to adhere better if you ever repaint the open shelves.
When Using Paint and Primer In One
Many cabinet paint kits today feature paint and primer combined in one formula. The primer component offers sealing qualities, minimizing the need for an additional sealant. However, read the manufacturer’s directions – sometimes an extra sealant is still recommended.
For Less Humid Environments
Kitchen cabinets in drier climates are less prone to moisture damage and deterioration. If you live in a low humidity environment, sealing may provide negligible added protection. However, it’s still wise to seal if the kitchen is prone to steam from cooking.
What Kind of Sealant to Use
Choosing the right type of sealant is important to get maximum protection for your painted cabinets. Here are some top options:
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is the most popular sealant used for painted cabinets. It provides an extremely durable yet flexible coating that protects against scratches, fading, and moisture damage. Oil-based polyurethane is stronger than water-based. Be sure to apply only over fully cured paint.
Lacquer
Lacquer sealants create a strong, water-resistant finish. Depending on the type, lacquer imparts a smooth glossy or soft matte look. Lacquer sprays on quickly and evenly. It cures faster than polyurethane but may show imperfections in the underlying paint.
Shellac
Shellac is a natural resin sealant derived from lac beetles. It dries remarkably fast to a hard, protective finish able to block stains remarkably well. However, shellac can yellow over time and requires careful application to avoid brush marks.
Wax
Wax produces a soft natural-looking low luster finish. It protects against moisture and stains but offers less durability than harder sealants. Wax works well for lightly used cabinets but requires more frequent reapplication. Opt for a specific cabinet wax, not generic furniture wax.
Water-Based Polyurethane
Like traditional polyurethane, water-based versions provide ultimate protection and abrasion resistance. Water-based polyurethanes are lower in VOCs but take longer to cure compared to oil-based. They also tend to have a cloudier look.
How Many Coats of Sealant?
Most experts recommend applying at least two coats of a sealant for kitchen cabinets. This ensures full coverage and adequate film thickness. Lightly sanding between coats allows the next application to bond tightly.
Three coats are even better for a super durable finish, especially for cabinets that see heavy use. But most quality sealants only require two coats for excellent protection. It’s fine to stop at one coat for specialty finishes like wax that build minimal thickness.
Can You Seal Over Chalk Paint?
Chalk paint has a soft matte finish that can be left as-is for a muted effect. However, sealing chalk painted cabinets makes them more washable and durable. Polyurethane and wax are common sealants for chalk paint.
The key is applying thin coats so brushstrokes don’t show through the chalky finish. Lightly sanding between coats also ensures proper adhesion over the powdery surface left by chalk paint.
How Long Should Paint Cure Before Sealing?
It’s crucial to let cabinet paint fully cure before applying a sealant. Most latex and enamel paints require a minimum of 24 hours before a first coat of sealant. Oils, alkyds, and varnishes need up to 7 days curing time.
If sealed too soon, paint can stop curing and fail to achieve maximum hardness. Solvents in the sealant can interact with uncured paint and ruin the finish. Always read the paint’s label for the recommended cure time.
Can You Seal Paint Over Varnish or Stain?
Previously varnished or stained cabinets must be properly prepped before painting and sealing. Remove existing coats of varnish or stain by sanding thoroughly or using chemical strippers.
Once stripped to bare wood, any paint and sealant combo will adhere well. Make sure to apply a primer first before painting and sealing to prevent interactions with any remaining old finish.
What Sheen Should You Seal Painted Cabinets With?
Sheen preference is purely aesthetic when choosing a sealant for painted cabinets. Gloss and semi-gloss sealants make wipedown cleaning easier. But they also highlight any imperfections like brush marks or orange peel.
For a smooth subtle look, satin and matte sealants complement most paints. They help maintain the original flat or eggshell look of the paint. Any sheen works fine – just make sure it’s compatible with the existing paint.
How to Seal Painted Cabinets
Sealing painted cabinets properly ensures you get the full protective benefits:
1. Prep the Surface
Lightly sand painted cabinets with 220 grit sandpaper to rough up the surface. Tack cloth the cabinets to remove any dust. Fill any cracks or holes with filler and let dry completely.
2. Work in a Well-Ventilated Space
Sealants contain volatile solvents, so always work in a well-ventilated area. Open windows and use fans or exhaust fans. Wear gloves and eye protection as well.
3. Apply Sealant Smoothly
Carefully follow the sealant’s application directions. Use a good quality natural bristle or microfiber brush, or a clean lint-free cloth. Apply sealant in thin even coats.
4. Allow Proper Curing Time
Let the sealant cure fully before use, testing hardness by pressing a fingernail into it. Typical dry times are 2-3 hours for recoat and 24 hours for light use. Full cure takes 30 days.
Maintaining Sealed Cabinets
While sealing boosts cabinets’ stain resistance and durability, sealed surfaces still require proper maintenance:
- Use cabinet cleaners designed for sealed wood surfaces. Avoid harsh abrasive cleansers.
- Blot spills quickly, don’t let moisture sit on cabinets long.
- Reapply protective sealants every 2-3 years or whenever wear shows.
- Rewipe surfaces with a damp cloth immediately after cleaning.
- For deeper cleaning, use a mild liquid dish soap solution. Rinse thoroughly.
- Reseal if sealant starts flaking or cracking. Lightly sand then reapply 1-2 coats.
Sealing Painted Cabinets FAQs
Should you seal painted cabinets?
Sealing is highly recommended to protect, preserve, and extend the life of painted cabinets. The minimal time and cost is well worth it.
What sheen of paint needs sealing?
Any sheen of paint – flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss – will benefit from a protective sealant. The flatter the sheen, the more prone paint is to staining and damage over time.
Can you seal cabinets without sanding?
It’s best practice to sand painted cabinets before sealing to scuff up the surface for optimal adhesion. However, sealing without sanding may work for some paint types – always check manufacturer instructions.
How long does sealed paint last?
High quality cabinet paint paired with a strong sealant can last 5-10 years or more before needing refresh. Durability depends on usage, quality of prep and application, and ongoing care.
Can stained cabinets be painted and sealed?
Yes, stained wood should be sanded down before priming, painting, and sealing for best results. Stain blocking primer prevents any bleed through.
Should new cabinets be sealed?
Factory finished cabinets have protective topcoats applied. But adding an extra layer of polyurethane or varnish will further shield from moisture and scratches.
Conclusion
There are compelling reasons to take the time to seal your newly painted kitchen cabinets. A quality sealant adds only a small amount to the total cost of a paint job while providing outsized benefits.
The negligible investment in sealing delivers big rewards in the form of enhanced durability, easier cleaning and maintenance, and locking in the vibrant painted color. And choosing the right sealant for the particular paint finish prevents compatibility issues down the road.
Taking those extra steps to seal in the paint properly means your kitchen can enjoy all the aesthetic benefits of colored cabinets for years of beauty to come.