Valspar Cabinet Paint: Primer Needed Or Not?

Valspar cabinet paint is a popular choice for DIY and contractor cabinet repainting projects. It is available at a variety of stores, including Lowes. While primers are not always needed, they are recommended for laminate cabinets and to maximise results. If you are painting over a stain, it is critical to apply a primer to prevent brown streaking or bleed-through.

When to use a primer with Valspar cabinet paint

Valspar cabinet paint is a water-based paint that acts and holds up like an oil-based paint. It is a hybrid alkyd enamel product that does not require a primer or sealer. However, certain projects may require these products.

Primers are not needed for new wood or cabinet repainting, but using a primer can help maximise results. If you are painting over a stain, it is critical to apply a primer to prevent brown streaking or bleed-through. If you are painting over laminate cabinets, you will need to use a primer to help the topcoat paint bind to it.

Valspar's own Bonding Primer is recommended by a former employee of the company who has used the product on more than 10 projects in her home. She also recommends priming if you are painting over a stain to prevent bleed-through.

Before applying primer or paint, ensure the surface is smooth by filling any holes or scrapes with wood filler and lightly sanding to smooth the surface. After sanding, clean the surface to ensure no dust is left behind. If the surface has dirt or grease on it, use a proper degreaser to clean it before sanding.

How to prepare the surface before applying Valspar cabinet paint

Preparing the surface before applying Valspar cabinet paint is a crucial step to ensure a smooth and durable finish. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Clean the Surface

Use a proper degreaser, such as Krud Kutter Pre-Paint Cleaner, to thoroughly clean the surface of your cabinets. Make sure to remove all dirt, dust, grease, and any other contaminants. This step is important to ensure that the paint adheres properly and that there is no bleeding of the old paint or tannins.

Step 2: Sand the Surface

Lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit or finer) to ensure it is smooth and free of any imperfections. This step will help create a uniform surface for the paint to adhere to. Pay particular attention to areas with chipping or peeling paint, and sand them smooth. After sanding, wipe down the surface with a tack cloth to remove any residual dust.

Step 3: Prime the Surface (Optional but Recommended)

Although Valspar cabinet paint can be applied directly to bare wood or previously painted surfaces, it is highly recommended to use a primer for better adhesion and to prevent bleeding. Choose a suitable primer based on the surface you are painting. For laminate surfaces, use a bonding primer specifically designed for laminate. For stained surfaces, use a stain-blocking primer to prevent streaking or bleed-through. Allow the primer to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 4: Sand the Primer (Optional)

If you want an ultra-smooth finish, consider sanding the primer with extra-fine grit sandpaper (320-grit or finer) after it has dried. This step will help create an even smoother base for your paint to adhere to. Remove any sanding dust with a tack cloth before proceeding.

Step 5: Clean the Surface Again

Before applying the paint, give the surface a final wipe-down with a lint-free cloth or tack cloth to ensure it is completely clean, smooth, and dry. This step will help ensure that your Valspar cabinet paint goes on smoothly and without any debris.

By following these steps, you will properly prepare the surface for applying Valspar cabinet paint. Remember that adequate surface preparation is key to achieving a successful and long-lasting paint job.

Best application methods for Valspar cabinet paint

Valspar Cabinet and Furniture Enamel is a paint technology that acts like an oil and cures to a hard, tough finish. It is water-based, which means it can be cleaned up with soap and water, and has a low odour and low VOC (volatile organic compounds/gases). It is available in almost all of Valspar's paint colours (2,000+) and can be custom-tinted into other manufacturers' colours. It flows and levels beautifully, leaving a durable, scratch- and scuff-resistant finish with no brush marks. It is also non-yellowing, unlike old oil paints.

• If you are painting cabinets, it is recommended to use a semi-gloss sheen for durability and ease of cleaning. For a piece of furniture, a satin sheen is a good option if you want less of a shiny finish.
• If the surface has any chipping or peeling paint or polyurethane, sand it smooth and clean all the sanding dust. A tack cloth is a great option for removing sanding dust.
• If there are no surface blemishes, clean the surface with a degreaser like Krud Kutter Pre-Paint Cleaner. Once clean, you can paint within 10 minutes.
• Most of the time, a primer is needed with Valspar Cabinet and Furniture Enamel. It is critical to apply a primer if you are painting over a stain to prevent brown streaking or bleed-through. If you are painting over a regular semi-gloss paint, you can clean and head straight to paint.
• When hand-applying the paint, use only a foam roller and a nylon/polyester brush. Any other applicators will leave brush marks and an orange peel finish. Nap rollers will over-apply the paint and pull it up as you roll, resulting in an uneven finish.
• When using a brush, start with brushing before rolling and keep a wet edge, rolling immediately after brushing. The consistency of the paint is thinner than latex paint, so watch for drips. Avoid over-working the paint and over-applying, apply in thin layers, letting each layer dry for 4 hours or more before the next coat.
• When using a foam roller, roll in long, consistent strokes, following the direction of the item (e.g. from top to bottom on a cabinet door and side to side on a drawer). Avoid over-working the paint and over-applying.
• If the paint is drying slowly or it is humid, you can run a heated fan over the paint.
• If you feel confident enough to use an airless paint sprayer, it is highly recommended. Spraying helps you apply the thinnest coat possible, resulting in the smoothest finish.
• When using a paint sprayer, fill the sprayer with water and practice spraying on a piece of cardboard to get accustomed to the output. Start with the lowest force to see how much paint comes out and always test spray the paint on a piece of cardboard before moving to the object you are painting. Wipe the spray tip with a damp paper towel to avoid paint drying and spraying onto your object.

How to clean Valspar cabinet paint

To clean Valspar cabinet paint, you must first ensure that the surface is properly prepared. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Clean the Surface

Use a degreaser like Krud Kutter Pre-Paint Cleaner to clean the surface of any dirt, dust, grease, or mildew. This step is crucial as it ensures that the paint will adhere properly to the surface. Allow the surface to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Sand the Surface (If Necessary)

If there are any loose or peeling paint, use a sandpaper to scrape them off. Additionally, if you are painting over a glossy surface, use sandpaper to dull the surface. This will create a more even base for the new paint. Make sure to wipe away any dust or debris after sanding.

Step 3: Prime the Surface (Optional)

While Valspar cabinet paint can be applied directly to most surfaces, priming is recommended for certain situations. If you are painting over a stain, a coat of stain-blocking primer will help prevent streaking or bleed-through. For metal surfaces, remove any rust and prime with a rust-inhibitive metal primer. If you are making drastic colour changes or using deep, vivid colours, priming will improve colour accuracy and coverage.

Step 4: Stir the Paint

It is important to gently stir the paint before use. Do not shake the can, as this can create air bubbles in the paint, leading to an uneven finish.

Step 5: Apply the Paint

You can apply the paint with a premium-quality brush, a synthetic roller cover, or an airless spray. For best results, ensure that the surface, air, and product temperatures are between 50-90°F. Apply the paint in thin, even coats, following the direction of the surface. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next one. Typically, Valspar cabinet paint requires a recoat time of 4 hours or more.

Step 6: Clean Up

Clean your equipment with warm, soapy water immediately after use. If the paint has fully dried, you may need to use mineral spirits for effective cleaning.

Pros and cons of Valspar cabinet paint

Valspar cabinet paint is a popular choice for both DIY and contractor cabinet repainting projects. Here are some pros and cons of using Valspar cabinet paint:

Pros:

• Durable finish: Valspar cabinet paint dries to a hard, tough, factory-like finish that is scratch, scuff, and stain-resistant.
• Water-based: This paint is water-based, which means it has low odour and low VOC (volatile organic compounds/gases). It also allows for easy clean-up with just soap and water.
• No brush marks: The paint flows and levels well, resulting in a smooth finish with virtually no brush marks.
• Non-yellowing: Unlike traditional oil-based paints, Valspar cabinet paint does not yellow over time.
• Easy touch-ups: The paint has a longer "open" dry time, which makes it easy to touch up without leaving brush marks.
• Customisable: Valspar cabinet paint is available in a wide range of colours and sheens, including Satin and Semi-Gloss. It can also be tinted to almost any colour.
• Sprayable: This paint can be applied using a brush, roller, or sprayer, making it versatile for different projects.

Cons:

• Long dry time: Valspar cabinet paint has a longer dry time compared to other paints, with a recoating time of 8-12 hours.
• Thin consistency: The paint has a thin consistency, which can cause dripping and sagging during the drying process. It also requires multiple thin coats for adequate coverage.
• Surface prep required: While the paint can be applied directly to bare wood or previously painted surfaces, adequate surface preparation is crucial for achieving a smooth finish. This includes filling holes/scrapes, sanding, cleaning, and priming, especially for laminate cabinets.
• Not suitable for all rollers: When using a roller, a foam roller or a mohair roller is recommended as other types of rollers can leave marks and texture on the surface.

Frequently asked questions