The subject heading says it all. I’m doing a painted kitchen and want to know what the current trend is for what sheen to use. I assume semi-gloss, or maybe even gloss/enamel? If the customer had a preference, it might be toward a more traditional look. It’ll be while, by the way, and I’ll be painting both the interior and exterior surfaces by hand.
Brian
Replies
The kitchens I've seen recently were fairly low sheen. The stained not painted cabinets in the ones recently installed in my house were 15 sheen quite low indeed. The painted ones a bit higher. But I never saw kitchens except a few very modern styled things with anything I would call even close to gloss or semi-gloss.
Brian,
Wife and myself run a paint contracting business in Seattle and --- the lastest trend seems to be egg-shell everywhere (walls and ceilings). We don't care for it too much as it is less forgiving and MUCH MORE DIFFICULT to touch up than flat. For painted cabinets, semi-gloss is still the norm.
Regards,
Mack
"Close enough for government work=measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an axe"
We own several rental houses that we paint with an eggshell latex enamel paint throughout. Our experience has been the exact opposite as we find that our eggshell paint does touch up beautifully. In our house we use eggshell paint for the walls and ceilings but paint the trim and doors with a semi-gloss enamel.
However I do want to point out the fact that the original question is one for Breaktime chatroom. This is a house building question, not a woodworking question.
Edited 8/14/2008 2:19 am by BigK
I think Mack was meaning it was easier to touch up Flat easier then eggshell or semi gloss .
The OP was asking about a painted kitchen and the sheen , we do cabinets and we have some finishers / painters types here as well so they could'nt go wrong either way really .
regards dusty
What on earth makes you think this is a question for breaktime? The guy wants to know what kind of paint to use and posted it in a folder that focuses solely on finishing. I don't see a problem here...Chris
When I read this question last week(?) I thought that he was asking about painting the kitchen walls and cieling. Yeah, I have a problem with construction related questions in a woodworking chat room.
"Yeah, I have a problem with construction related questions in a woodworking chat room." Geez Louise. The Topic Police have a new captain. It's not uncommon for someone to post a house question at Knots, and there is so much depth in the talent here, it will often get answered. And virtually 100% of the time, a referral to Breaktime is made so that the OP might get even more educated opinions. But this is the first time I remember seeing a "Why the He|| are you bothering us with this question?!" kind of response.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 8/20/2008 11:30 am by forestgirl
FG , Well said and very much the truth , there are many skilled and multi talented folks here as well as BT .
regards dusty
AMEN SISTER!
Lee
FG,
That is very entertaining, as this is not the first time that I have seen this question asked. But since you are trying to question my comment, then are you now the thought police who you obviously look down upon?
"are you now the thought police " Nope, just expressing some dismay, for the benefit of (a) the original poster, lest he think we're all so intolerant and (b) any lurkers who might stay such for the same reason. You are most welcome to think anything you want, yea even post anything you want. If'n I think it might reflect badly on us Knots-heads as a whole, I'll get the point across, one way or t'other, let others draw their own conclusions.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I expressed my opinion, and now you have expressed yours. Does your opinion carry any more weight then mine? I don't think so, personally. I was not trying to attack the original poster for chatting here, but rather trying to steer him to a more appropriate venue. And as such, I have spoken my peace.
Since I never go to BT he wouldn't have had the benefit of my pretty first hand knowledge. For heaven's sake, why is this not a question for the board. It certainly is NOT chat. It is FINISHING. Paint is a finish, believe it or not.Gretchen
This answer is for Gretchen, FG, and anyone else who wants to pile on in the monkeypile. I have explained my response, and continuing criticism is not going to change what I have had to say. I stand by my answer, and as such will not be responding to further criticism. So you might as well just keep it to yourself. Thank you.
Hope I didn't cause any unnecessary confusion with my original question. I was asking about paint for shopmade kitchen cabinets, not walls. Anyway, I've recently been turned on to this extremely eco "Mythic" brand which goes on really well, and no odor, no warning labels. I'd really encourage others to try it. Painting is one area of my life where going green I think will be completely painless. I'm thinking of eggshell for the sheen now; don't want any shine to detract from my work! Also customer would perfer it, and I'm not going to be in charge of cleaning down the road . . . how often to we clean our kitchen cabinets anyway?Brian
Please report back about the Mythic paint.
I've been waiting to hear how it performs. As far as your sheen choice- I think it will look
better then a semi gloss but the ladies have always overruled me. How did you get so free and unfettered?
And you know we are always right. Eggshell is just beautiful with semi-gloss for the trim.
I appreciate the OP's desire for "green" but for kitchen, oil base is so much better. And yes, we DO wash the kitchen cabinets.Gretchen
Yes ma'am. That sounds perfectly logical and
shows a true insight into aesthetic and functionality.
That will be a change order of course.
But it's worth it don't you think?
"Yeah, I have a problem with construction related questions in a woodworking chat room." Yeah, not an attack, but certainly qualifies as a written "dope slap." A little up-tight, as we said back in the 60's.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I have always preferred eggshell on all surfaces. OIl base, of course. It is easy to clean also. Ours was applied with a micromesh small foam brush and looks close to being sprayed in the finish. It is very nice and has held up incredibly well.
And it is definitely a finishing question.
Edited 8/20/2008 8:49 am ET by Gretchen
Gretchen,
Any specific brand/supplier for the micro mesh brushes?
Thanks,
Kieran
I have no idea--he was a pro painter. I have seen them at HOme Depot. Truly the finish (PROPERLY primed underneath, I need to say) is very very smooth. He would have taken them and sprayed them, if possible.Gretchen
Thanks
Well I'm a Breaktime two timer!
Don't know as that makes me anymore qualified tho...
I have painted many kitchens so here is my two cents.
Semi-gloss to gloss is considered the norm for all woodwork in
the house.
As far as the walls, I'd say it shouldn't matter much except
if you have a "problem area" near the stove. Then pick your poison.
Flat= easier to touch up
Gloss= easier to clean
since very few people like glossy walls, lets say you go with satin
wall paint.
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