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				Painting new kitchen cabinets - Gloss or Semi-Gloss?
			 
			
			My kitchen cabinets will be installed in about a month.  They are being supplied unpainted (they are paint grade, not stain).  I'm painting vs staining because I kept half my kitchen cabinets and they are only suitable for painting. 
		
	
		
	
			
				Thant said, what is the most common paint surface for kitchen cabinets; Gloss or Semi-Gloss? Thanks!  | 
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			I prefer semi myself.
		 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
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			 Motorsport Ninja Monkey 
			
			
		
			
				
			
			
								
		
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			semi-gloss or satin for me
		 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
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			So half the kitchen cabinets are existing (used) ones.  I'd paint them all with semi/satin because it doesn't show up imperfections as much as gloss.  And will help tie the old ones in with the new ones better. 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
	You could look at a two part epoxy paint for extra durability.  | 
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Correct however, the existing cabinets are getting new doors and drawer fronts so semi-new. 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
	I'm going to pick up some sample paint this week and I will try semi vs satin. I painted the walls with eggshell - how does that compare to satin?  | 
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			What gloss finish is on the counter top and backsplash ? If they are high gloss then I would go with semi gloss on the cabinets . But if countertop is matte or flat then high gloss on cabinets . To me you want contrast .
		 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
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If the walls are eggshell the cabinets and trim should be semi gloss. Satin doesn't clean and wipe down as easily and gloss is, well, too glossy for a residential kitchen.
		 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
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			I wonder how baby poo yellow looks in semi gloss?
		 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
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			Semi, oil based alkyd is my preference Enamel or poly
		 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
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			Since I already painted my walls & ceiling using latex paint.  And, one wall has a color vs white for everything else.  And, I was planning on painting my cabinets 25% value of the wall color.....can I take the code to a paint store and they can make a higher quality oil base paint?
		 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
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			We often paint our cabinets with flat paint and top coat with satin or semi gloss for protection instead of just paint itself.  Our CA paint is horrible and offer little protection but that top layer of poly is tough stuff.  Try General Finish's Milk Paint and top coat with their poly.  It can brushed on or spray, just need to specify when ordering.  The other solution is to have them mixed a paint color into the poly and spray three coats.  Primer helps with constant color after first coat.   
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
	Moore paint offers a specific cabinet paint that is durable also but not even close to General Finish's poly.  | 
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			If you like seeing finger prints and want make your cabinets look cheap then finish them in gloss
		 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
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			I prefer a semi gloss, and a modified alkyd.
		 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
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			Satin, because any higher sheen will look ghetto....ask me how I know
		 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
			
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			+1 on satin finish. Use Benjamin Moore Advance or the SW equivalent. Also, get a Graco TC Pro battery spray gun (about $500). It will lay smooth and look professional.
		 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
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			+1 on the Benjamin Moore Advance paint…
		 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
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			Thanks All!  I will go paint shopping this weekend.
		 
		
	
		
	
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
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			What’s the color palette? It’s not unusual for a ceiling paint to be a diluted tint of a wall paint, but I seldom see cabinets painted that way. 
		
	
		
	
			
			
				
					Cabinets, door trim and window trim often get painted some variation of white. It doesn’t have to be a bright white, there are 100 shades of white.  | 
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