Stanislaw Ziolkowski
LACQUER VERSUS ENAMEL FOR CABINET FINISHES
Updated: Aug 15, 2022
We don’t paint cabinets--we refinish them with a traditional application but using the most advanced and the best products for cabinet refinishing. Our way of refinishing cabinets is different than what our competition offers and our final finish surpasses our competition offerings.
Please notice the difference in the process of refinishing cabinets and materials used by Cabinet Refacing Pros and our competition.
Cabinet Finishes: Enamel vs Lacquer
Almost all our competition uses acetone-based or water-based tinted lacquers to spray color and protection. These products have very thin and can be applied in only a thin layer, otherwise they get runs and crack, they are easy to scratch, not durable, and start deteriorating in a very short time, especially in areas exposed to moisture, grease, sun, and human sweat. When wood expands and contracts due to air humidity changes, lacquer finishes start cracking when door pieces join or on panels. Also, lacquer-based finishes do not prevent dark colors of previous finish, either paint or stain, from bleeding through.
Benefits of Enamel Finishes on Cabinets
We refinish our cabinets in a traditional way using stain blocking, oil-based or shellac-based, primer and urethane fortified enamel. After proper preparation: cleaning, caulking, patching and sanding, we apply 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of enamel. Thus, our finishes are smooth, washable, durable, lasting finish that surpasses that of our competition.
Problems with Lacquer Cabinet Finishes
Lacquer finishes, if damaged, require hiring a professional finisher and redoing the entire door or panel. Enamels on the other hand, can be easily applied with roller and brush, so touch ups, when necessary, can be done by anybody without noticing the difference between old and new finish.
Thickness of Lacquer vs Enamel Coatings
Please notice that 1 layer of lacquer has 1 mil thickness, 1 layer of primer and enamel 1.5 mil, thus, our finishes have minimum 4.5 - 6 mil thickness. Compare this with our competition.
If I can help you with anything else, please let me know and I wish you good luck with your project.
Cabinet Refacing Pros
760-994-8686 or 760-644-4940, call or text

OUR ADVISE:
NEVER USE CLEAR OR TINTED LACQUER FOR KITCHEN OR BATHROOM CABINET FINISHES