Hand-painted kitchen cabinets, or sprayed?

Hand-Painted Kitchen Cabinets: Debunking Myths About Sprayed Finishes

Nowadays, the trend towards spray finishes is increasing, but it’s essential for consumers to critically evaluate some of the claims surrounding them.There are several claims that don’t add up.

Perfection!

Perfection does exist, but we are always striving to get closer.

Perfection is an ideal we strive for, but it’s important to recognize that it can be achieved through both hand painting and spray applications in controlled environments. In craft competitions, perfection is often judged from a distance, and both methods can yield stunning results. However, upon closer inspection, each technique reveals its own imperfections.

A hand-painted finish may show faint brush marks, while a sprayed finish applied outside a laboratory may exhibit issues like orange peel or paint buildup. Both finishes are visually appealing and durable, but neither is flawless. True perfection is not a realistic expectation in craftsmanship.

Understanding Perfect Finishes

For those seeking absolute perfection, painted kitchens may not be for you. For some, a machined laminate kitchen may seem like the ideal choice with its, dare I say, unnaturally flawless appearance. Clients who don’t favour paint because it isn’t perfect, sometimes choose highly machined natural timber kitchen doors. However these also have their imperfections, as they reflect the organic nature of wood growth.

Horses for courses!

For those who like the flexibility of a custom paint job but don’t value the human touch found in a high-quality artisanal paint finish, often they choose spray. However, the perceived perfection of a sprayed finish isn’t always desirable either:

• When a spray-painted surface is damaged, such as by a ring, it can be challenging to make an invisible repair; the entire door may need to be resprayed. In contrast, touch-ups on a hand-painted finish are much more feasible.
• Aesthetically, mechanical perfection lacks the soul of handcrafted work. Many Rolls Royce customers prefer the brush-applied finish by skilled artisans over the perfection of a sprayed finish.
• After years of collaboration with experts in the U.S. and leading high-end kitchen companies in England, I’ve found that many clients favour a transformed, hand-painted kitchen. It retains the appearance of a sprayed finish but serves as an artistic installation and conversation piece.

Efficiency of Spray Painting

While applying paint with a spray gun is generally faster than using a roller and brush, context is crucial. Spraying is best suited for large-scale kitchen projects:

• For small kitchens, the setup, spraying, and cleanup of a spray unit can take as long as hand-painting a few doors.
• A significant portion of kitchen refurbishment involves cleaning, dust extraction, sanding, filling, and priming.
• Masking a kitchen for spraying generates a considerable amount of single-use plastic, raising environmental concerns.
• From a health perspective, it’s advisable to install a temporary cabin with extraction when spraying to protect both the painter and clients from paint dust, which can be complicated in apartments or on windy days.

Durability of Finishes

It’s often claimed that sprayed finishes are more durable than brushed ones.

Kitchen doors endure heavy traffic and require a high-quality enamel finish to withstand daily wear and tear. Today’s high-acrylic enamels are impressive products, available in matte, satin, and gloss finishes. Satin is the sweet spot for durability and a traditional look, while the days of easily marked matte finishes are fading as fast as technology is improving. In other words, how tough do you want your paint to be?!

As well as durable paint from a single tin can be safely brushed, rolled, or sprayed in homes. Regardless of the method, high standards of finish can be achieved. A hand painter can maintain a consistent finish with minimal dilution, while airless spray systems can apply paint quickly but may require higher dilution rates, heavier coats.

• It’s true that 2-component paint applied with a spray gun is nearly indestructible, but it should be used in a professional cabin with forced air extraction, not in residential settings.
• When restoring an old kitchen in occupied homes, if you are thinking 2-pack paint, it is worth considering how to paint permanent cabinets with the same “toxic” paint applied on the doors in a separate workshop. Few 2-component paints are formulated for brush application, which is the least fumy approach. And the only 2-pack paint I know of that can be brushed beautifully is still way more fumey than any 1-pack paint.

In Summary

Both brush and spray techniques work for painting kitchens, with the onus on choosing the right tool for each job:

• An HVLP spray gun is a good option for doors and built-in furniture or for lacquering cabinet interiors.
• For kitchen doors, all the high end companies spray primers, and brush the finish coats on site. Spot priming damaged areas or resinous knots on site can often be most effectively done with a spray can.
• I primarily paint most kitchens by hand, achieving an efficient and high-quality finish that resembles a sprayed look. My clients appreciate the artisanal touch of a handmade finish.

As a hand painter, flexibility is key. The aim is to guide the client, clearly communicating the pros and cons of each method. And you know what 90% of people who asked for a sprayed finish say?

I didn’t realise. I’ll have it hand-painted please.

Spray Painting Ceilings and Walls in Kitchens

While we are here, let’s quickly mention spraying walls in kitchens. Is it a good option?

Generally, finishing walls with a spray gun is not advisable, as invisible touch-ups become nearly impossible. For walls, the base coats can be sprayed but the top coat should be traditional finished.

I prefer using an edging roller and a main roller with the same covers for a consistent finish. For large wall surfaces, a pressure roller is effective, while a small ceiling brushed and rolled with anti-reflective paint can achieve a flat appearance comparable to a sprayed ceiling.

If you are a potential cusomer, keen DIYer or in the trade, you are welcome to contribute to the conversation. Pintura Adelante can also be found on social media as shown in the footer below.