Painting Kitchen Cabinets with General Finishes Milk Paint
I’ve been gone from blogging for sooooo long that I seriously had to relearn how to upoad a photo! No joke. The last 6 months have been a wild, amazing, scary, crazy ride. I’d like to think that things have started to slow down a bit but I’d be lying if I told you that.
However I am starting to prioritize my tasks just a bit so hopefully I’ll get back on track and be able to spend a little more time with those of you who have been with me form the beginning and helped me get to where I am. I’m also super excited to share what’s going on with all of my new readers. Thank you all for being here.
So let’s jump right in!
We’ve given several kitchens a facelift lately. This one started out like this-
I see cabinets like this a lot. Usually they’re in good condition but the client is just tired of the massive expanse of wood.
As you’ve read from several of my other kitchen transformations I like to use my HomeRight Finish Max to spray the doors. This creates an even finish and cuts down on my labor and since I’m not getting any younger it’s helped me tremendously. I’ve written about painting cabinets in several other posts so I’m not going to list all the details here however I do want to provide you with a materials list as I get questions about that frequently.
Materials used-
General Finishes Queenstown Gray Paint
General Finishes High Endurance Satin Top Coat
Mini Paint Roller
If you’re planning to paint your cabinets I can’t stress enough the importance of cleaning and degreasing them throughly. No matter what paint you’re using cleaning is a must. Denatured Alcohol mixed with water is a great cleaner. I also sand down my doors a bit.
My favorite paint for cabinets is General Finishes. It’s self priming and bonds to almost anything. It comes in several amazing colors. For this kitchen my client decided on Queenstown Gray.
And here we are, a beautifully updated kitchen!
As you can see painting the cabinets completely transformed this kitchen.
Would you like to have your cabinets painted? We serve most Middle TN and would love to work with you. Email us at farmfreshvintagefinds@gmail.com for more information.
See you soon!
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Wow! I was just thinking about you the other day and wondering how you were doing. I figured your new store was keeping you busy. Glad to hear things are going so well for you. You have worked hard for it and certainly deserve it!, it’s good to hear from you! Hope things continue to go well.
Hi Sally!
You are so sweet and just made my day!!!! The store has been a dream come true. And while it’s been filled with unexpected challenges I wouldn’t trade a bit of it. Thank you for commenting. It’s good to hear from you too.
🙂 Beth
I see you have posts about using annie sloan or general finishes for kitchen cabinets, I am going to be redoing mine and have worked with both, but i would love to spray them with the sprayer you suggested. did you have to dilute for the sprayer or just use product right from the can?
Any tips on which you like better – going from a dark to a white, mixing 3/4 pure to 1/4 antique or oldwhite
Hi Kate,
I’ve used both and like them both but I’d hands down recommend General Finishes. It’s just easier to work with and leaves the best finish in my opinion. Either one you choose will need to be diluted. There’s a viscosity cup with the paint sprayer to help you get the correct mix. I hope this helps!
Thanks for reading!
Beth
Do you use the sprayer for all coats or just the paint? Do you have a ratio you use for the water/ Queenstown Grey?
Thank you.
Hi Ann,
I use the sprayer from start to finish. As far as the ratio the sprayer comes with a viscosity cup to help you with that. I don’t measure anymore I’m so used to just seeing it. I hope this helps!
Thanks for reading,
Beth
What backsplash did you use? Where can I find it?
Hi Kristin,
I’m not sure where the backsplash came from, it was in the home when my clients bought it.
Sorry I can’t be more help.
Beth
Hi Beth,
When you spray on the General Finish paint what kind of coverage do you get? Trying to determine how many cans I’d need to redo some cabinets.
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
It really depends on the sprayer and the color. I use the HomeRight Finish Max which doesn’t create a lot of overspray. I would suggest getting 3-4 quarts, depending on color.
🙂 Beth
How many coats of the clear sealer do you use?
Hi Ashley,
Typically we use 2 coats.
Thanks,
Beth
We followed your blog to paint our kitchen cabinets and are in love with how they turned out. I found this blog on Pinterest and when I realized we had the same (or very similar) flooring, backsplash, and counter tops we had to go with Queenstown Gray. I wish I could share a photo with you. I just wanted to thank you for sharing so those of us who don’t have as much experience with designing could fall in love with our kitchen again!
Oh my goodness thank you so much Paige, you’ve made my day! Please feel free to email me your photos at farmfreshvintagefinds@gmail.com I would love to share them on my Facebook page!
Thanks again!
Beth
Can you use a dark glaze or wax to antique them with the General Finishes paint?
Hi Monica,
Yes, you can! We sell the dark (and white) glazes in our online shop. You can view them here http://bit.ly/2hOoe0k
Thank you,
Beth
I painted my wood g,cabinets using the general finished milk paint seagull grey nd satin glaze was happy with outcome however after last coat of glaze dried noticed wood had green tinge around edges any recommendations to correct? Followed steps exactly as described
Hi Marie,
I would have to see it to help. You can email me photos at farmfreshvintagefinds@gmail.com and I’d be happy to try and help.
Thanks,
Beth
What a transformation!! These are beautiful, just needed a little love, and you did just that!
I want to re do my cabinets with a mix of Snow White and antique white but I’m curious as to which finish/top coat you use!
Thanks for the inspiration ❤️
Mikayla,
Thank you dear! I do two coats of topcoat.
🙂 Beth
Hi, I used Java gel stain almost two years ago on my cabinets, they have wear around handles and I am wondering if I can paint this milk paint right over the gel stain?
Thanks!
Hi Andrea,
I would suggest roughing them up and priming them first. Especially if the stain is a darker color. I hope this helps!
Thanks,
Beth
Hi Beth what primer do you suggest for covering dark painted stain as in kitchen transformations box kit, that works well with general finishes?
Thanks
Kym
Hi Kym,
I would suggest the General Finished Stain Blocker Primer.
Thank you for reading!
Beth
How do you dilute the paint without changing the color in order to use the sprayer? I have never used a sprayer/diluted paint and I don’t want to mess up the paint color or finish. Love your work 🙂
Stacey,
Just dilute with water and you won’t change the color.
Thanks,
Beth
How many gallons for a small kitchen would you need?
Hi Chelsie,
Depending on color you will need 2-3 quarts, plus a quart of topcoat.
Thanks,
Beth
Hi. Does the General Finishes milk paint dry similar to chalk paint? How many coats of paint using the sprayer? How much time do you let elapse between paint and top coat?
Hi Rose,
No, it does not dry like chalk paint. GF Milk Paint has an acrylic base and dries with a light sheen similar to a latex satin paint. As far as coats that will depend on the color. I recommend 3 coats, 4 if your doing white, minimum. Dry time depends on your climate and temperature. I’d wait at least 2-3 hours between coats. For my client jobs I wait 12.
Thanks for reading!
Beth
Hi there! My husband and I just bought our first house and we are planning to paint our dark kitchen cabinets white. I am curious about milk paint – can I mix the General Finishes milk paint with a traditional paint? I like the ease of milk paint, but would love to mix the white milk paint with Benjamin Moore White Dove for the color. I’m a TOTAL newbie 🙂
Hi Kaitlin,
I’m not sure about that. I would test it out. The GF Paint is an acrylic base whereas BM is going to have a latex base. I think it would be fine but I wouldn’t want to risk it on cabinets.
🙂 Beth
Hi, is the top cabinets and bottom cabinets too different colors of the grey or is it just the light that makes it look this way? And again what’s the name of the colors you used
Thanks
Hi Angel,
It’s all the same gray color! Thanks for reading.
🙂 Beth
Hi Beth, I am in the process of painting my kitchen cabinets with milk paint in snow white and I have awful brush marks, also I am having a hard time getting the arches in the cabinet doors covered well without drios and brush marks. I am very frustrated, any advice would be appreciated
Hi Jamie,
What kind of brush are you using? A good brush makes all the difference in the world or you may need to switch to a foam roller. There are so many factors it’s hard to tell you. Feel free to email me (there’s a link on the nav bar) photos and more details and I’ll try to help as much as possible.
Beth
Hello, these are BEAUTIFUL and the exact color I’m looking for! Just to clarify all of the cabinets here are Queenstown Grey? The swatch looks a lot darker, did you lighten the paint up with anything? Thank you!
Hi Jenny,
Yes, they are all in Queenstown. It is a beautiful dark gray color. We also have Driftwood gray it’s a little lighter.
Thanks,
Beth
My cabinets are the oak builder grade cabinets … the orange oak. Should I prime before painting with white general finishes?
Hi Laura,
Yes, I would prime them with latex Kilz. Hope this helps!
Beth
Hi Beth,
A question for you is I painted my cabinets with Ann Sloan graphite and want some demention? I didn’t want to do a white wash. I wanted something suddle that gave it a bit of different tone? Any suggestions? I was thinking a glaze or wash. But now sure if color? That’s were I need suggestions. Thanks
Im redoing my natural color cabinets with GF paint. Can i mix snow white with Antique white to get the color i want. I dont want to dark or to white.
Hi Denise,
Sure you can mix them!
Thanks,
Beth
I am planning on painting my kitchen cabinets with Seagull Gray General Finishers milk paint. I have light honey oak cabinets. Do I have to prime my cabinets? Also with that light grey do I have to worry about the top coat yellowing?
Hi Jill,
I always recommend lightly sanding and priming your cabinets before painting. As far as yellowing it depends on then topcoat you use. The General Finishes topcoats do not yellow and I have had excellent results with them. I hope this helps! Thanks for reading!
Beth
How does milk paint holds up after few years of wear? Thanks
Beautifully! I used it in my kitchen 4 years ago and my cabinets still look like new. I have done a couple touch ups on our trash bin cabinet but other than that I have absolutely no complaints!
Beth
Wow, beautiful! I’ve been inspired and am hoping to paint our kitchen with GF coastal blue followed by GF high performance satin topcoat. Could you advise me roughly how many pots of the 946ml milk paint & top coat I will need for a medium sized kitchen? (12 cabinet doors & 2 full height carcasses that are on show) I’m planning on sanding the cabinets/carcasses first, do I need to apply a primer/base coat before applying the milk paint? How many coats of the milk paint & top coat would you recommend?
I’m planning to spray the paint & topcoat – will they both need watering down? If so, by how much?
Thanks in advance – sorry for all the questions, I’m a total beginner!
Hi Beth,
Please use the “contact” link at the bottom of this page and I would be happy to set up an email consultation with you.
Thank you,
Beth
Do you have to thin out the paint for the paint sprayer you use? Have you mixed colors. I am not sure I want the bright white of the snow white color. I am fond of Sherwin Williams creamy but want that color in milk paint. Sooo many options.
Hi Natalie,
Yes, I have to thin the paint for the sprayer I use. I mix colors occasionally but prefer to use colors as they come.
🙂 Beth
I am a novice but am getting ready to do my first cabinet transformation! I am both equally parts excited & nervous. Thank you for your blog, it has so many tips that I plan on using.
I am not a huge fan of satin top coats, have you had any success with something less shiny? I have oak cabinets (with grain) and am using seagull grey 🙂
Thanks!
Hi Lindsey,
You could use General Finishes Flat Out Flat Topcoat. It’s pretty flat but still has a bit of sheen.
Thanks for reading!
Beth
Thank you.
You say “sand the cabinets a bit”…. how much/little do i want to take off? I realize I want to take off the current sheen, but is it as important to get into ever nook so that you see not even the least bit of previous shine?
Hi Lindsey,
When I say sand I mean that you need to remove the sheen on the cabinets. As far as the nooks I would get to them as good as you can and make sure you get all areas that will receive traffic. For instance I always sand the area around the handle or pull very well to insure a good primer/paint bond.
Happy Painting,
Beth
Does the grain of the oak cabinets show through with milk paint? I had some new add-on cabinets built that are not oak and I am going to order new doors but need to know if I can get the smooth finish doors or go with the oak to match the old doors that are oak.
Hi Angie,
Oak does have a bit of grain look to it but your doors will be smooth if you use Milk Paint. So I guess the answer is yes and no. I would suggest painting the back of one of your doors to help you make a decision.
Thanks for reading!
Beth
Hi Beth,
You recently did a kitchen that was gray and white. The base cabinets were gray. You say this “gray” was a custom mix of Snow White and Driftwood. Can you share what that “custom mix” was. The proportions of each?
Thanks,
Tom
Hi Tom,
I’m sorry but I don’t know what the ratio was. Sorry I’m not more help.
Thank you,
Beth
I have been reading that Snow White will ultimately yellow with time. Have you done cabinets with Snow White ? If so what top coat do you recommend ? So much conflicting information out there I’m confused
Hi Vane,
I have done multiple cabinets with Snow White, even the cabinets in our farmhouse. I DO NOT topcoat Snow White with anything but I do always prime the surface before painting. No matter what paint you use your longevity comes from your cleaning and prep and not your topcoat.
Thanks for reading,
Beth
Hi Beth,
I saw your kitchen makeover and it looks great!
I am hoping to do the same. I have a wood veneer wrapped kitchen- would I be ok to paint with milk paint?
Any help would be amazing x
Hi Marie,
I not sure what a wood wrapped kitchen means. Can you give me more details please.
Thanks,
Beth
I just read through all these comments. I am planning to use Snow White on my cabinets. My cabinets currently have some sort of chalk paint with no top coat (don’t ask me why, not my work) if I sand them down should I use a primer still or could I spray the milk paint right over it after sanding and cleaning?
Also you say no top coat with Snow White? The milk paint is durable enough for cabinets without a top coat?!
Hi Kala,
I would recommend cleaning and sanding them and then priming them before painting. General Finishes does not recommend topcoating Snow White due to the possibility of yellowing or ambering over time because of this we always recommend 4 coats of Snow White after priming.
Good luck with your project!
Beth
Do you recommend not top coating alabaster, general finishers milk paint. I see that you don’t recommend it for Snow White. I’m wondering if that goes for all white paint.
Hi Susan,
The General Finishes recommendation is just for not top coating Snow White. I have top coated Alabaster with no problems however I do think the paint is durable enough without topcoat in low traffic or gently used areas. You can also always add topcoat later if you see that the surface isn’t holding up like you’d like.
Hope this help! Thank you for reading.
Beth