Lacquer is gorgeous, and I HAVE had luck applying it with a very fine 1.5" Taklon art brush. However, it would be difficult for most DIY-ers to make look nice. For durability, the #1 thing is PREP. Clean, sand and prime every inch before even thinking about painting anything. Roll 2 coats color of choice with BM Advance. Then finish with polyurethane (Minwax water based satin). I've had cabinets in busy homes last years without a single chip.
You didn't mention the fact that with lacquer, the homeowner can no longer easily sand and paint a cabinet or door or shelf and apply a new coat of paint as needed. Rather, you will be tied to a cabinet shop repainting or I mean "relacquering." And what about the aesthetics? The look of brush strokes is replaced by the hard, shiny lacquer finish. This is fine if your tastes run modern but not if you value texture, warmth, character, and patina. I'll stick with paint.
I LOVE USING LACQUER ON CABINETS, My most recent work concluded kitchen, 2 restroom vanities, hallway cabinets and one tough job to do Stairway handrail top to bottom. my finish was as smooth, clean and shiny gorgeous look.
Can I put. Clear lacquer over say a Sherwin William urethane Emerald as the finish topcoat? Also what do you think about All in One cabinet paint vs Sherwin William.
Does lacquer have shiny hi gloss finish only? What if I want my cabinets to be more of a satin finish? I have used BM Advanced and was impressed with the look and durability, however it is recommended 30 days curing time. How about the curing time for lacquer?
Lacquer does come in satin, semigloss and gloss. Not every paint store carries lacquer just so you know . check Dunn Edwards GEMINI lacquer product or sherwin Williams industrial
@@mrnt1257 In my experience, buyers look for quality, a clean smooth surface with a tone color that brings out the best of your cabinets, the finish shin (satin) is less to be notice nevertheless a semigloss tents to be shinier on white than on a color. This i know based on my hands on experience.
I have just hand painted my kitchen cabinets- which have been extremely time consuming and does not have that professional finish. I want to spray paint it for the second coat… from a can spray. Is this possible? First coat is a semi gloss.
Do not use lacquer on cabinets near sinks, especially with MDF. Lacquer is not waterproof. Within 6-10 years every edge of the cabinet door will puff out from moisture. Cabinet doors near kitchen sinks, dishwashers and bathroom sinks are basically destroyed. I have been a Realtor and property manager for 22 years. I've seen it in hundreds of homes.
@@thepaintpeople that's why I've seen hundreds of homes with this issue. A simple Google search will tell you people have issues with it. I looked it up because I see it so often. The MDF will swell from moisture at all sharp edges where the the lacquer is a little thinner. Builders use it because it sells and looks good, not because it's durable. Latex paint is a better moisture barrier.
@@thepaintpeople of course if you've got plenty of money 6-10 years is probably fine and you can just get them redone. But most don't, especially in rentals.
Absolute nonsense. Perhaps you’re dealing in cheap homes with foil, melamine or laminated mdf (aka like IKEA fronts)? Or just cheap mdf and paint job. Property sealed and properly lacquered mdf cabinet doors will last decades.
@@weldonwillifordrealtorYou get what you pay for. Do your own research. A Builder doesn’t have your best interests, they seek profit and quick turnover. Good enough to last through the warranty period is good enough. Paper veneer, particle board, MDF, even stairs are trending to garbage quality. 😢 A Realtor is the same, I hear very very few saying: don’t buy a house until 2025 because it’s all crashing and you’ll be upside down in months. Of course not, they need to sell to eat. 😊
Forgot to mention the hazards of using lacquer. Highly flammable! Horrible for your lungs and fumes onsite. Most of us cabinet makers have moved away from lacquer and using water based 2k products. Which dries fast and can put on multiple coats a day like lacquer.
Lacquer is gorgeous, and I HAVE had luck applying it with a very fine 1.5" Taklon art brush. However, it would be difficult for most DIY-ers to make look nice. For durability, the #1 thing is PREP. Clean, sand and prime every inch before even thinking about painting anything. Roll 2 coats color of choice with BM Advance. Then finish with polyurethane (Minwax water based satin). I've had cabinets in busy homes last years without a single chip.
I use Farrow & Ball modern eggshell. Looks great. washes well
I really enjoy using Advance but I’m going to try this on my next project! Thanks for posting James!!
PPG’s BreakThrough! is amazing for cabinets. Dries quickly, super adhesive and very durable.
Absolutely! Great product....
You didn't mention the fact that with lacquer, the homeowner can no longer easily sand and paint a cabinet or door or shelf and apply a new coat of paint as needed. Rather, you will be tied to a cabinet shop repainting or I mean "relacquering." And what about the aesthetics? The look of brush strokes is replaced by the hard, shiny lacquer finish. This is fine if your tastes run modern but not if you value texture, warmth, character, and patina. I'll stick with paint.
What about the high VOC and doesn’t it yellow?
I LOVE USING LACQUER ON CABINETS, My most recent work concluded kitchen, 2 restroom vanities, hallway cabinets and one tough job to do Stairway handrail top to bottom. my finish was as smooth, clean and shiny gorgeous look.
great video! I never knew that lacquer could be tinted :)
Nice jab at L Ron!
L. Ron Cupboard
could you do tutorials on how to paint please
Can I put. Clear lacquer over say a Sherwin William urethane Emerald as the finish topcoat? Also what do you think about All in One cabinet paint vs Sherwin William.
This is a great question. Did you happen to solve it? I'm curious as well!
Does lacquer have shiny hi gloss finish only? What if I want my cabinets to be more of a satin finish? I have used BM Advanced and was impressed with the look and durability, however it is recommended 30 days curing time. How about the curing time for lacquer?
Lacquer does come in satin, semigloss and gloss. Not every paint store carries lacquer just so you know . check Dunn Edwards GEMINI lacquer product or sherwin Williams industrial
I’m trying to decide between satin and gloss. I am selling, so while my choice is satin, what would the larger number of buyers like?
@@mrnt1257 In my experience, buyers look for quality, a clean smooth surface with a tone color that brings out the best of your cabinets, the finish shin (satin) is less to be notice nevertheless a semigloss tents to be shinier on white than on a color. This i know based on my hands on experience.
Great information! Thank you for sharing!
Can I paint on a laminate kitchen cabinets? Will it stay for long? Any specific recommendations for laminate kitchen cabinet?
How do they add color to lacquer? Is it by pigment or dye? Every company we've tried keeps telling us they can't.
Is what you’re talking about good to use on melamine cupboards?
What should i use if CanLak isn’t available where I live/work
Can you get a hold of Envirolak?
Holy shit, the Scientology reference, I wonder if I’m the only one who heard it. James is officially my soul mate. Sorry fiancé of his
BEST AIRLESS LACQUER SPRAYER its a TITAN ED655
I have just hand painted my kitchen cabinets- which have been extremely time consuming and does not have that professional finish. I want to spray paint it for the second coat… from a can spray. Is this possible?
First coat is a semi gloss.
Can this work for the old skool melamine cabinets? (with super prepping)
Can you advise on an American made lacquer that comes in colors?
Where can you buy and what is cost per gallon
Do not use lacquer on cabinets near sinks, especially with MDF. Lacquer is not waterproof. Within 6-10 years every edge of the cabinet door will puff out from moisture. Cabinet doors near kitchen sinks, dishwashers and bathroom sinks are basically destroyed. I have been a Realtor and property manager for 22 years. I've seen it in hundreds of homes.
I think we are mixing up lacquer and varnish. All kitchens when manufactured a sprayed with lacquer.
@@thepaintpeople that's why I've seen hundreds of homes with this issue. A simple Google search will tell you people have issues with it. I looked it up because I see it so often. The MDF will swell from moisture at all sharp edges where the the lacquer is a little thinner. Builders use it because it sells and looks good, not because it's durable. Latex paint is a better moisture barrier.
@@thepaintpeople of course if you've got plenty of money 6-10 years is probably fine and you can just get them redone. But most don't, especially in rentals.
Absolute nonsense.
Perhaps you’re dealing in cheap homes with foil, melamine or laminated mdf (aka like IKEA fronts)? Or just cheap mdf and paint job.
Property sealed and properly lacquered mdf cabinet doors will last decades.
@@weldonwillifordrealtorYou get what you pay for.
Do your own research.
A Builder doesn’t have your best interests, they seek profit and quick turnover. Good enough to last through the warranty period is good enough. Paper veneer, particle board, MDF, even stairs are trending to garbage quality. 😢
A Realtor is the same, I hear very very few saying: don’t buy a house until 2025 because it’s all crashing and you’ll be upside down in months. Of course not, they need to sell to eat. 😊
Lacquer, like the Model T? Oh yeah, where the hell do I find that?
What about using a foam brush??
Wish I would have shown some samples
Is the effect very shiny ???
What sheen would you recommend?
Something tells me that your probably going to use lacquer on your cabinets too, James? 🙂
What would you use on a countertop
I'd use an epoxy, but curious what James would say!
You could use an epoxy or a multi surface enamel. COMMAND by Ben Moore would work really well....
100% correct
Renner water based. Fuck solvent based
AMEN 🙏
Renner is way better than lacquer!
@@John-fm8ylWhy?
very high voc. hybrids are better.
Forgot to mention the hazards of using lacquer. Highly flammable! Horrible for your lungs and fumes onsite. Most of us cabinet makers have moved away from lacquer and using water based 2k products. Which dries fast and can put on multiple coats a day like lacquer.
Most lacquers we discuss are 1k and 2k water-based...
Is it always that shiny?
Yes runs from satin to gloss.
The title of this video is clickbait. Is should read "This is the best TYPE of paint...."
It doesn't last. If that sort of thing matters to you.
not easy to use.