Hi everyone,
After living in a house for 10 years we finally have enough money to make some really needed changes. We are putting in wood floors and painting the main rooms. Our cabinets are in terrible shape and so we were thinking of painting them. Our painter, that we hired, said he has done this many times before and that oil based paints work the best. I am so nervous about this, because of the fumes. I have painted my house before and did not realize there was paint with low voc's and still to this day feel so guilty about it. I painted the hallway when my kids were sleeping, with regular latex paint,I had their bedroom window open, but didn't realize that fumes could be harmful, and this was outside their rooms. Aaaahhhh!
So now to my question! We would move out while the painting is done, but is it risky to have this oil based paint on our cabinets? I heard voc's continue to be emitted for at least a year after you paint. My kids are 5 and 7 and I'm worried about this exposure.
Any advice?
Thanks,
R.
A low VOC paint would be better. Let your painter know what you prefer, she may have tons of experience and a preference as it relates to painting however the customer should always be right. She should be able to accomodate your wishes. This is why low VOC paint is available. I hope this is helpful.
Just tell him no.. He is just being a little lazy.. Oil based is "easier" for painters to use. We just had our entire basement painted (its finished living space) with a newer paint called Freshaire Choice.. You can buy it at Home Depot. Totally non-toxic ... NO VOCs ! Which was important to me right now since I'm 6.5 months preg and also have a 6yr old and 21 month old in the house! Go with this paint! If he doesn't like it, find someone else to do it :)
I've painted a lot, and there is absolutely NO reason you have to use oil-based paint on cabinets. The worst part about oil-based paint is the fumes that are emitted while it is drying, which can take about 3 days. The fumes from oil-based paint are way worse than from latex paint.
However, if you want low voc paint, it's more expensive, but if it will make you more comfortable, do it.
I've painted kitchen cabinets with latex and it worked fine. I would never use oil based paint. Also oil based paint yellows over time, and if you ever want to repaint it, you have to use oil based again, or else prime it first. Don't use it.
Go w/ the no to low VOC paints. I've used Benjamin Moore's two lines with great results -- didn't like the Sherwin Williams line. My uncle is a painter and he balked when I asked him to paint our front door w/ latex. (painters like oil better because it's thicker and they don't have to use as many coats). I didn't care, though; I stuck to my guns and he painted that darned door w/ latex. 5 year later, it's held up well. Make sure they do the required prep work, though (sanding/priming)
We had our cabinets painted last year with oil paint too just have all windows open and fans going every thing will be fine. Use a high quality oil based paint that way fumes are not as bad. Congrats on the makeover and Good Luck!
We used Olympic NO VOC paint from Lowes, and it's only around $25 a gallon! If you sand and prime, latex is fine!! He might have wanted to use oil, because it takes less time to cure. Latex takes a couple of weeks, so it is prone to scuffs. If you are careful for a few weeks, it will be great. Oil paint takes forever to off-gas!!
