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You are here: Home / Reviews / Top-rated 7 Best Polyurethane For Painted Kitchen Cabinets - Detailed Review

Top-rated 7 Best Polyurethane For Painted Kitchen Cabinets - Detailed Review

by Chloe M.

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Are you so fed up with your kitchen because they are so old and so unattractive that you do not want to cook?

What about blowing a new, colorful wind into your cabinet?

We would like to recommend to you our seven best polyurethane for kitchen cabinets on the market today.

With the instructions on choosing paint colors, we hope you can transform your kitchen space into something beautiful.

Let’s get started!

In short, below is the list of top 7 Best Polyurethane For Painted Kitchen Cabinets:

[latat_table table_id=’468’/]

Contents show
#1. General Finishes High Performance Semi-Gloss
What’s great about it
How to use
Results (best for preventing UV Rays )
Pros
Cons
#2. Varathane Rust-Oleum 200041H Water-Based Ultimate Polyurethane
What’s great about it
How to use
Results (best for bright white kitchen cabinet)
Pros
Cons
#3. Minwax 65555444 Polycrylic Protective Finish Water Based
What’s great about it
How to use
Results (best for bright furniture)
Pros
Cons
#4. Minwax 63200444 Helmsman Spar Urethane
What’s great about it
How to use
Results (best for wood protection)
Pros
Cons
#5. Minwax 60910000 Wipe-On Poly Finish Clear
What’s great about it
How to use
Results (best for durable cover)
Pros
Reasons to Avoid – Cons
#6. Watco 63041 Lacquer Clear Wood Finish
What’s great about it
How to use
Results (best for clear finish)
Reasons to Buy -Pros
Reasons to Avoid – Cons
#7. Deft Interior Exterior Water-Based Polyurethane Clear Satin Finish
What’s great about it
How to use
Results (best for weather resistance)
Pros
Reasons to Avoid – Cons
Things to consider before buying
#1. Attractive surfaces finishes
#2. Lasting durability
#3. Modular features
#4. Ease of application
What is the best polyurethane for kitchen cabinets?
Is polyurethane a good finish for kitchen cabinets?
Is water-based polyurethane good for kitchen cabinets?
How do I keep my white cabinets from turning yellow?
Is Polycrylic better than polyurethane?
Conclusion

#1. General Finishes High Performance Semi-Gloss

What’s great about it

This General Finishes High-Performance Semi-Gloss is our best polyurethane finish for kitchen cabinets on the market.

Providing a super hard coat, this polyurethane will protect your cabinet from all external impacts.

What impresses us most is its extremely durable coat. Believe it or not, the product can protect your cabinet with a long-lasting coat.

Additionally, the coat can resist water quite well. Therefore, you can keep your table or cabinet dry at all times, no matter how harsh the weather is.

How to use

This polyurethane is suitable to apply to interior objects such as woodwork, house furniture, tables, kitchen cabinets, etc.

If you worry about the bad smell coming from the item, then just rest assured because this product will only create a little bit of odor.

And luckily, this scent is comfortable and suitable for everyone.

On the downside, you should avoid using this item on the objects that have a bright white color.

As we tried to apply it on our white table once, after a while, the table started turning to an ugly yellow.

Results (best for preventing UV Rays )

In our opinion, the best thing about this General Finishes High Performance Semi-Gloss is its ability to prevent UV rays.

In detail, the product includes an Ultraviolet stabilizer. This stabilizer works to prevent the UV rays from creating bad effects on the cabinet.

Pros

  • Prevents ultraviolet rays
  • Does not create much smells
  • Non-flammable and long-lasting coat

Cons

  • Not suitable for objects that have bright white colors.

#2. Varathane Rust-Oleum 200041H Water-Based Ultimate Polyurethane

What’s great about it

This Rust-Oleum 200041H is our best polyurethane for wood kitchen cabinets. As a water-based product, this 200041H model is friendly to all wood areas.

Therefore, you are able to apply the polyurethane on many wood objects such as house furniture, table, window, etc.

Besides, we have to admit that this product is the same as the above product, the odor is easy to smell. Or in other words, it will not cause irritation to you.

How to use

As we have mentioned, this polyurethane is suitable for wood furniture. Thus, you can apply it on any wood surface without a hassle.

Even when you do not like the coat anymore, you can remove it easily by washing the furniture underwater.

The cool thing about this product is, it can dry right after being applied in a short time. As we tested using the item, we only had to wait for about 30 minutes.

And then, we were able to touch the surface without getting our hands dirty.

Results (best for bright white kitchen cabinet)

If the first product does not suit your white cabinet, do not worry, Rust-Oleum 200041H will help you do that.

More specifically, this item does not leave behind yellow stains on your cabinet. Instead, it will create a durable coat that protects your furniture from outside dirt .

Pros

  • Dries in a short time after being applied
  • No yellow stain left
  • Creates a low smell

Cons

  • Not resist Ultraviolet rays.

#3. Minwax 65555444 Polycrylic Protective Finish Water Based

What’s great about it

In an advertisement of the Minwax company, this 65555444 model is “clear as glass and tough as nails” and we sure that it is 100% exact.

Specifically, this Minwax 65555444 promises to provide a crystal clear finish for your kitchen cabinet. Thanks to this feature, the polyurethane can protect your cabinet from all stains while still retaining its original color.

How to use

An amazing thing that makes us satisfied is its ease in use. To put it differently, what you need to do is use a bristle brush to paint the cabinet.

And then, the polyurethane coat will dry after about 2 hours.

With this product, you should repaint the cabinet again for 2 or 3 times to have strong protection. In case you want a beautiful finish, you can recoat the furniture one more time after a day.

Results (best for bright furniture)

On our list, this item is another best polyurethane for white kitchen cabinets. Because the polyurethane is water-based, it can dry after a very short time.

Hence, the components of the poly will not soak into the kitchen cabinet and leave yellow stains behind.

Pros

  • Beautiful finish
  • Dries after a short time
  • Creates low odor
  • Suitable to use on bright objects

Cons

  • The item adds no extra color (only a crystal clear coat).

#4. Minwax 63200444 Helmsman Spar Urethane

What’s great about it

Similar to the above product, this Minwax 63200444 polyurethane includes an Ultraviolet rays stabilizer.

Therefore, it can block all the harmful lights from the sun that damages your wood kitchen cabinet. As a result, your cabinet will never fade out or have yellow and grey stains.

On the other hand, this item can also resist natural impacts. More specifically, the polyurethane provides a super strong cover that stops any rain or moisture from breaking the cabinet down.

How to use

Coming along with this product is a natural bristle brush. This tool will help you paint the kitchen cabinet with ease. All you need to do is just be careful while painting if you want to have a beautiful coat for your furniture.

Also, because this Minwax 63200444 has a special oil formula, it will need more than a day to completely dry.

But since the poly is dried, all you receive then will be a super beautiful and durable coat!

Results (best for wood protection)

The best thing about this 63200444 model is that it can protect your wood furniture for a long time.

With a special oil formula, the polyurethane can spread out the finish coat and cover the entire wood surface.

Therefore, in any weather condition, your wood kitchen cabinet will always stay dry, clean, and beautiful.

Pros

  • A bristle brush included
  • Special oil formula
  • Block Ultraviolet rays
  • Extreme weather resistance

Cons

  • The coat takes a long time to dry completely.

#5. Minwax 60910000 Wipe-On Poly Finish Clear

What’s great about it

This Minwax 60910000 is produced with two different colors. One is Gloss, and the other is Satin, each color will create a specific look for the cabinet.

Although both of them are beautiful to the eyes, you should still consider carefully about your needs in order to buy the most suitable one.

Thanks to oil, the polyurethane can protect your house appliance under all types of weather.

So do not worry because despite the sun, rain or high indoor humidity, your kitchen cabinets are always clean and beautiful.

How to use

What you need to do first is to wipe all the surfaces of your cabinet with a towel in order to get rid of all dust remaining on it.

After that, pour a few drops of the polyurethane on the cabinet. And use the towel to spread out these drips evenly.

When the cabinet is completely dry, you can recoat it again or leave it there. The process is very easy to perform, isn’t it?

Results (best for durable cover)

To be honest, this 60910000 model is one of our favorite products.

The oil-based ingredients not only cover our cabinet extremely well but also protect it from water, chemicals, food dirt, etc.

On the other hand, since we applied this item to our cabinet, we have seen no sign of wearing issues for a good long time.

Pros

  • Two beautiful colors
  • Good in any weather condition
  • Ease in use
  • Guard the cabinet from wearing

Reasons to Avoid – Cons

  • Requires much time to dry
  • Not suitable for soft surfaces.

#6. Watco 63041 Lacquer Clear Wood Finish

What’s great about it

If you are looking for the best polyurethane sheen for kitchen cabinets, then this Rust-Oleum Watco 63041 will meet your needs.

As this polyurethane has the ability to provide a super crystal clear coat, your cabinet will look shinier than ever!

Furthermore, this item can dry quickly right after being applied.

Trust us! You will need less than 40 minutes for the polyurethane to dry!

And thanks to this feature, you can rest assured that no yellow stains will appear on your home appliance, as the coat does not soak deeply into it.

How to use

We recommend you apply it to indoor objects, not outdoorones as this item can’t guarantee that your furniture will be free of dirt and dust.

According to the degree of ease of use, you can start painting the second coat right after the first coat is completely dry. Just like the advertisement has said: no sanding between coats is required.

Results (best for clear finish)

Having the ability to make crystal clear finish, surely this 63041 model is the best polyurethane for painted kitchen cabinets.

To put in detail, the original color of your cabinet will remain, no matter how many coats you paint on it. The item will only function as an extra layer of protection.

Reasons to Buy -Pros

  • Super crystal clear coat
  • Dry fastly after being applied
  • No sanding between coats required

Reasons to Avoid – Cons

  • Not suitable to use for floors or exterior objects.

#7. Deft Interior Exterior Water-Based Polyurethane Clear Satin Finish

What’s great about it

This Deft Interior Exterior is famous because it works for multiple purposes.

In spite of the fact that this item provides a water-based finishing coat, the ingredients are not 100% water.

In fact, the product includes some oil-based components in order to create a long-lasting coat.

Moreover, this polyurethane can block harmful rays from the sun. So, just feel free to paint your outdoor cabinet with ease as no bad things will happen to it!

How to use

Just like we have described above, this polyurethane is suitable for both indoor and outdoor furniture. Therefore, you will have no difficulty making beautiful coats for your cabinet.

But keep in mind that you must wait for more than 2 hours between every coat. Otherwise, if you paint continuously without letting the previous coat rest, the finish will not be able to look smooth.

Results (best for weather resistance)

With a super hard coat of this product, the cabinet is always protected against any weather conditions. Whether it is sunny or rainy, covering the kitchen cabinet is just a piece of cake with this Deft Interior Exterior!

Pros

  • Creates a durable coat
  • Serves multiple purposes
  • Weather resistance
  • Ultraviolet rays blocking

Reasons to Avoid – Cons

  • 2 hours waiting between every coat

Things to consider before buying

Here are some things to consider before buying the best polyurethane for painted kitchen cabinets:

#1. Attractive surfaces finishes

An attractive surface finish means a shiny, smooth, and satisfactory surface.

You should carefully read the ingredients to choose your best polyurethane for kitchen cabinets.

#2. Lasting durability

Durability plays an important role in choosing the best polyurethane for kitchen cabinets.

There are many kinds of paint with different shelf life. Some types have been degraded after two years applying on the cabinet, others have been used for up to 10 years and are still good.

If you want to change colour for the cabinet every year, you will often focus on choosing colors more than durability.

However, if you want to buy a paint that lasts for a long time, choose the expensive ones, which are waterproof, moisture-proof, and antioxidants.

#3. Modular features

Many types of polyurethane are extremely resistant to water and moisture because of their composition.

Therefore, you need to choose carefully about the quality of clear coat covering the cabinet because if it is wet, the cabinet can be corroded.

#4. Ease of application

There are many types of paint that are quickly dry, making it difficult to spread them evenly on your cabinets. So, choose an easy-to-apply clear coat that saves you time and effort.

What is the best polyurethane for kitchen cabinets?

Each person has a different purpose when buying polyurethane, so it is hard to answer which one is good or not good.

However, for best results, we recommend that you should use 2 or 3 layers on the kitchen cabinet surface. It will help the paint more durable and beautiful.

Is polyurethane a good finish for kitchen cabinets?

Of course. Polyurethane has excellent heat resistance.

In addition, it has a waterproof, moisture-proof layer to keep your cabinet durable and beautiful.

  • More: 5 Best Applicator For Polyurethane On Hardwood Floors

Is water-based polyurethane good for kitchen cabinets?

Yes, using water-based polyurethane is better than a sprayer. When using the sprayer, the paint will be splashed, and you will have difficulty controlling the paint surface.

On the other hand, the best water-based polyurethane for kitchen cabinets allows you to manage where you want to paint and paint more evenly. You can enjoy your creativity without fear of getting dirty.

How do I keep my white cabinets from turning yellow?

Cabinet after painting for a while will gradually become yellowish because of not being cleaned frequently .

Therefore, to keep the cabinet beautiful and shiny, you need a protective polyurethane topcoat. This paint helps keep your cabinets sealed, preventing oil or grease from penetrating in.

Besides, regular cleanup is also essential. Use a warm towel and dishwashing soap to clean.

You can even use extra lemon and salt to completely remove the yellow stain.

Is Polycrylic better than polyurethane?

It depends on your intended use and desires.

Polycrylic is suitable for DIYers and woodworkers. It usually has glossy and bright paint.

On top of that, polyacrylic paints usually dry very quickly, and if you want to finish the project fast, polyacrylic is a good choice.

Polyurethane, on the other hand, can handle higher temperatures than the other, so it usually takes longer to dry.

Polyurethane is quite flexible because it is available in both water and oil form, which can be used on many different surfaces.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the seven best polyurethane for kitchen cabinets above might interest you in repainting cabinets.

Life is always changing and in order to adapt, you will also need to change.

This makes you always feel happier and more comfortable. So start having a new colour kitchen cabinet today.

We hope that you can find the right clear coat for your kitchen.

Have a nice day!

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