Having attractive, durable kitchen cabinets can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your kitchen. Many homeowners choose to paint their existing cabinets to give them an updated, fresh look without the high cost of full cabinet replacement. But once you’ve painted your cabinets, should you take the extra step of sealing them? Here’s a detailed look at whether sealing painted cabinets is recommended or required.
What Is Cabinet Sealer?
A cabinet sealer is a protective clear coat designed for use on painted kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Sealers are formulated to provide a durable, scrubbable surface that can withstand moisture, grease, and regular wear and tear.
There are two main types of sealers used for cabinets:
- Acrylic sealers – Water-based acrylic sealers are very common. They provide good protection and are easy to apply. Acrylic sealers are affordable and dry quickly.
- Polyurethane sealers – Oil-based polyurethane sealers provide the most durable finish. Polyurethane forms a harder, more impermeable surface coating. However, polyurethane sealers have a strong odor and take longer to dry compared to acrylics.
Why Seal Painted Cabinets?
There are several benefits to using a sealer on freshly painted cabinets:
- Enhanced protection – A sealer adds an extra layer of defense against moisture damage, grease stains, and routine wear and tear. Unsealed paint may start to show signs of damage over time.
- Easier cleaning – The hard, smooth surface created by a sealer allows you to easily wipe away dirt and grime from cabinet doors and fronts. Unsealed paint has more texture, which can trap grease and stubborn dirt.
- Prevents chipping/scratching – Sealers help create a more durable finish less prone to nicks, chips or scratches from daily use.
- Reduces odors/staining – In the kitchen, painted cabinets may absorb cooking odors and staining from oil splatter over time. A good sealer provides a non-porous barrier that prevents this type of damage.
- Enhances appearance – Sealers give painted cabinets a smooth, even, glossy appearance. Without a sealer, painted cabinets may look uneven as the paint absorbs differently across the surface.
So in short, a quality sealer helps painted cabinets hold up better while also keeping them looking like new for longer.
When Is Sealing Painted Cabinets Required?
For many standard latex cabinet paints, a sealer is recommended but not absolutely required for a durable finish. The paint itself will provide decent protection without a sealer.
However, there are some situations where using a sealer is critical:
- If you used paint specifically formulated just for cabinet interiors, applying a sealer is mandatory. Most interior cabinet paints are designed to be sealed for kitchen and bathroom use.
- For cabinets in high moisture areas like near a sink or dishwasher, properly sealing the paint is very important to prevent moisture damage over time.
- If you used a specialty finishing product like glaze, whitewash, or gel stain on cabinets, you’ll need to apply a compatible sealer to protect the decorative finish.
- For cabinets subjected to heavy wear and tear, like frequently used cabinets in a busy kitchen, a sealer is the best way to extend the life of the painted finish.
So while sealing may be optional in some cases, it’s highly recommended for any kitchen or bathroom cabinet paint job. An acrylic sealer is inexpensive insurance to get the longest lifespan from painted cabinets.
What Type of Sealer Should Be Used?
For painted kitchen and bathroom cabinets, an acrylic sealer is the best choice for several reasons:
- Acrylic sealers are easy to apply – they go on smoothly and evenly.
- Acrylic dries relatively fast, allowing you to apply multiple coats quickly.
- Acrylic sealers are very affordable and come in different sheens like matte, satin, and glossy.
- Acrylics provide good protection on cabinet surfaces while allowing the paint color to show through clearly.
Oil-based polyurethanes can also be used but require much longer dry times between coats. Polyurethane also has a strong odor during application. For protecting painted cabinets, acrylic sealers provide the easiest solution.
Look for an acrylic sealer formulated especially for cabinets – general purpose acrylic sealers may not provide adequate protection for high wear areas. Cabinet sealers can be found at most hardware stores or ordered online.
How Many Coats of Sealer Should Be Applied?
To properly seal painted kitchen or bathroom cabinets, 2-3 coats of a quality acrylic cabinet sealer is ideal.
The first coat fully seals the porous painted surface. The second coats fills in any remaining voids and creates an even, consistent sealed layer. A third coat can be added for extremely high use cabinets or for darker paint colors that may require additional protection.
Keep in mind that just one thick, gloppy coat of sealer won’t provide the same level of protection as multiple thinner coats. Applying adequate thin coats is key for long lasting results. Read the product directions closely for recommended application thickness and drying times between coats.
What Are the Steps To Sealing Painted Cabinets?
Sealing cabinets isn’t difficult but does require careful attention to prepare the surface properly and apply the sealer in the right conditions:
1. Allow the Paint to Fully Cure
It’s critical to let cabinet paint cure completely before applying a sealer. Drying times vary based on factors like paint type and humidity, but it’s best to allow at least 24 hours of cure time. Rushing this step can lead to adhesion problems with the sealer.
2. Lightly Sand the Cabinets
For the sealer to bond tightly, the paint surface needs to be lightly abraded. Use 220 grit sandpaper to gently scuff the entire cabinet surface. Don’t press hard enough to remove paint, just rough up the top layer slightly.
3. Clean and Dry the Cabinets
Wipe down all cabinet surfaces with a lint-free rag and tack cloth to remove any dust from sanding. All surfaces must be completely clean and dry before applying sealer.
4. Apply First Coat of Sealer
Use a high quality synthetic brush to apply the first coat of acrylic sealer, following the product directions for proper application thickness and technique. Work in thin, even coats allowing plenty of drying time between coats.
5. Apply Remaining Coats
Most cabinet paint jobs require 2-3 coats of sealer for a durable finish. Apply additional thin sealer coats following the manufacturer’s instructions, allowing proper drying time between coats.
6. Let Fully Cure Before Use
Finally, it’s important to give the sealed cabinets 48-72 hours of cure time before regular kitchen use and contact with dishes, food, etc. Full curing is required to achieve maximum durability.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Sealing painted cabinets doesn’t require an expert, but inexperience or haste can lead to imperfect results and poor sealer adhesion. Here are some key mistakes to avoid:
- Not allowing paint adequate curing time before sealing
- Using improper abrasion – too light or too heavy
- Applying sealer too thickly or unevenly
- Not allowing proper drying times between sealer coats
- Putting cabinets into service before full curing is complete
As long as you carefully follow the steps outlined above, your sealed cabinets should maintain their freshly painted look for many years before needing a touch up!
How Long Does Sealed Cabinet Paint Last?
With proper surface preparation, application, and curing, a sealed coat of quality acrylic latex cabinet paint should last 3-5 years under normal kitchen conditions before needing to be refreshed.
Factors like cabinet location, frequency of use, and exposure to moisture impact durability. Properly sealed cabinets in low to moderate use kitchen areas typically stay looking great for up to 5 years before requiring new paint. High traffic areas may need attention more often.
With just a light sanding and 1-2 new coats of acrylic sealer every few years, you can keep your painted cabinets looking fresh indefinitely!
Can You Seal Cabinets With Polyurethane?
Oil-based polyurethane can provide excellent protection on painted cabinets. However, polyurethane is not ideal for several reasons:
Long dry times – Polyurethane needs up to 24 hours of dry time between coats, while acrylics can be recoated in just 2-4 hours. Slow drying makes the project take much longer.
Strong odor – The potent chemical smell of polyurethane lingers for days and can be overwhelming in an enclosed kitchen.
Tendency to yellow – Polyurethane naturally yellows over time, altering the color of painted cabinets. Acrylic sealers stay crystal clear.
Difficult application – Polyurethane is thicker and runs/drips more easily, making application tricky.
While polyurethane isn’t the best choice for sealing cabinets, it can work well if applied carefully by someone experienced. For most homeowners, fast-drying acrylic sealers are the easier option.
Can You Use Water Based Polyurethane?
Water-based polyurethane has been formulated to provide the durability and hardness of traditional oil-based poly with faster dry times and less odor. So water-based poly can be an alternative to oil-based.
However, water-based polyurethane still takes longer to dry than the best option – acrylic sealer. Acrylics dry fastest, have no odor, and provide excellent protection for the cost.
So while water-based polyurethane is an upgrade over oil-based, acrylic sealers are still the product of choice when it comes to sealing painted kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
Do You Have to Seal Chalk Paint?
Chalk paint has a soft, matte finish that shows irregularities in the surface underneath. While some people like this rustic look, sealing is recommended to provide protection and an easier to clean surface.
The ultra-matte, porous nature of chalk painted cabinets means they are more likely to stain, show wear, and become difficult to clean over time if left unsealed. Kids’ grubby hands or cooking splatter can quickly impact unsealed chalk paint.
Sealing helps chalk paint hold up better while also allowing you to wipe away dirt easily. Either acrylic sealers or wax can provide good protection for chalky finishes. For durability and stain resistance, acrylic sealer is the better option.
Can You Seal Painted Cabinets With Wax?
Wax is commonly used to seal and protect furniture finished with milk paint, chalk paint, and other decorative paint techniques like whitewashing. Wax creates a smooth, silky feel and offers minor protection.
However, wax does not provide nearly as much durability as a quality acrylic sealer on heavily used kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Wax tends to wear off quickly in high traffic areas and can lead to staining issues.
Cabinet manufacturers and professional painters nearly always recommend acrylic sealers over wax for any painted cabinet finish. The harder acrylic surface stands up to heavy use and moisture much better than soft wax.
How Do You Maintain Sealed Cabinets Over Time?
The beauty of sealing painted cabinets is that it makes ongoing maintenance very simple. To keep your sealed cabinets looking fresh:
- Clean often with a soft microfiber cloth, mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
- For grimy cabinets, use a grease-cutting degreaser formulated for kitchen use.
- Reapply 1-2 coats of acrylic sealer every 3-5 years or when the finish starts looking dull. Lightly sand first.
- Address any chips/scratches right away. Sand the area smooth, reapply paint, then seal.
- Consider adding new hardware for an instant facelift.
With proper care and occasional resealing, high quality cabinet paint and sealers can make your kitchen look great for decades!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to seal painted cabinets?
Sealing is strongly recommended, especially for cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms that see a lot of moisture and wear. Sealers greatly improve durability and make the finish much easier to clean.
Is sealing necessary if I used interior cabinet paint?
Yes, even quality interior cabinet paint should be sealed, especially near sinks, stoves, and dishwashers. The sealer protects from moisture damage.
What sheen sealer should I use?
An acrylic sealer in satin provides a nice balance of durability and aesthetic. Satin resists showing fingerprints/smudges. Matte is beautiful but more prone to staining while gloss shows more imperfections.
Can I use water-based polycrylic instead of acrylic sealer?
Water-based poly will work to seal cabinets but dries slower than acrylics designed specifically for cabinet use. Acrylic sealers offer better flow and protection.
How long does sealed paint last on cabinets?
With proper preparation and application, sealed painted cabinets will look great for 3-5 years before needing fresh paint. High use areas may need paint touch ups more frequently.
Does sealing cabinets make them shiny?
Sealers enhance glossiness slightly but don’t make the surface look overly shiny. If you prefer an ultra-matte look, use a flat sealer but be aware it offers less protection.
Sealing painted kitchen and bathroom cabinets is an important finishing step that helps preserve their freshly painted look, makes cleaning easier, and improves durability. While sealing may add a small amount of time and cost to the cabinet painting process, it’s worthwhile for long-lasting results. Follow the proper preparation, application and curing steps outlined above for sealed painted cabinets that look amazing for years.