Tried to paint kitchen cabinets but they came out all streaky!?

Question

My wife and I tried to paint our kitchen cabinets recently---we cleaned them, and primered them with a primer that said no sanding was necessary, and then painted them a very dark brown using Valspars Kitchen & Bath Enamel. Every single one came out extremely streaky. So we took them back off the hinges, and tried a variety of things. We cleaned one, sanded it, primered it, and then painted it...same thing. We tried using a sponge brush on another...same thing. We tried using a roller on yet another, no difference. Is there a different paint we should try, or another technique? We can't afford to have them sprayed by a professional (alot of home renovations going on here) and there has to be another way to get them coming out nicely. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

did you try a second coat?

Answer 2

the primer and paint have to be compatable.  You can't use an oil based primer and a latex paint.

Answer 3

Dark colors contrary to what you might think do not cover as well as lighter colors.

This is caused by two factors:

1) dark paint bases have less titanium doixide(which is what makes paint cover/hide other colors) to make room for the tint.

2) tint is not opaque but is somewhat transparent. The more tint the darker the color. Dark paints with a lot of tint tend to dry very slowly. Sometimes days between coats.

Your coverage problem is very common. I have been a painter for many years.  I have also worked in a paint dept.  I've seen many customers bring paint back saying that the color was wrong or defective because they put a few coats on a light colored surface and it still was streaked and not the correct color.  

To fix the problem you can apply more coats of paint, assuming that the last coat is dry. Do not recoat until the last coat of paint is dry. It only makes more of a problem and will cause you to have to apply more coats of paint than your project requires.

Answer 4

Been a pro for a while. Here's possible solution.

For one, primer is a base for paint, whether its latex, enamel oil or whatever. It is not true that you cant put latex over oil that statement is false. Now, you must let the oil dry completly before topcoating that is true. As far as compatibility, that is an issue for specific projects and paint that usually doesnt arise on normal do it your self pojects. Heres the deal. If you prime it, usually it is smart to have the primer tinted close to what your top coat is going to be on most colors. If you just used white or grey to be under a dark brown, than you will have some bleed through or streaks where you can see through the top coat. In this case, lightly scuff with fine sand sponge and apply another coat.

If you mean that you have the coverage, but seems that you can see the brush strokes, or build of brush strokes, then you need a softer brush made for enamel or a leveling agent to add to your paint. Most paint stores sell a product called "Penetrol" which you add to your enamel so that while it is d rying, those brush strokes will blend and kinda melt together leaving a smoother, easyer on the eye finish.

I also recommend that if you are handpainting your doors that you lay them flat on a bucket or accroos a flat laying ladder while painting and while drying so that it stays level and melts together. Do one side, let dry, then do other side. Make sure you give it the proper time to dry. Also, when brushing, use long end to end strokes to give a more consistent look.

One other tip is, if you feel that the enamel is just to thick to work with or is causing brush issues, adding just a little bit of paint thinner can make a world of difference. Not to much, just a little in your bucket, stir really good, and you will notice the change as you stir it will become easier and not as much drag. Also helps to give your brush a good cleaning every 4-5 doors, because that enamel starts to setup in your brush and makes it difficult for smooth brushing, rinse it with thinner, kick it out or spin it out and start some more. Hope that helps.