Paint cabinets myself or factory finish?

[Kodi Crescent]

It's conversion varnish.

 

[tiralie]

It's conversion varnish.

If you can afford it I would go with it. They should have or give you a sample. Otherwise well, try to talk to the other contractor into using a better paint (alkyd or urethane, poly or 2K) preferably even an exterior rated paint will wear better on cabinets than indoor latex.
Tim

 

[Kodi Crescent]

Reviving this thread.

I need to build the boxes for these ASAP.  It's mid-November, I'm in NC, and I have an unheated 2 car garage I can work in.  The daily temperatures are between 35F and 55F each day.  The boxes will end up in a finished space.

I can get unfinished 5x5 Baltic Birch, or 4x8 veneered plywood that comes unfinished, 1 side finished, or 2 side finished.  Some of the cabinets will be open to the exterior (glass doors and bookshelf).  Doors and drawer fronts for all the cabinets will be white.  I'll probably order the doors and drawer fronts from somewhere else, depending on time and money.

Given the worksite conditions, are there any recommendations on materials (unfinished, 1 side, 2 side, etc.)?  It seems like it's too cold in the garage to spray a finish on these.  Am I understanding this correctly?  Any concerns about 1 side finish vs. 2 side finish materials and humidity?

Thanks for your help!

 

[tiralie]

Given the worksite conditions, are there any recommendations on materials (unfinished, 1 side, 2 side, etc.)?

I would always opt for finished 2 sides. looks better and stays cleaner than one side.

It seems like it's too cold in the garage to spray a finish on these.  Am I understanding this correctly?  Any concerns about 1 side finish vs. 2 side finish materials and humidity?

Yes, a bit too cold to spray, but you could buy a radiant space heater and get your space up to heat fairly quickly. There is not a lot of concern in my mind with ply or baltic and humidity, but I just don't like the unbalanced 1 side finished material.
Tim

 

[Kodi Crescent]

Alright...2 side finished then.  Thanks!

 

[Sparktrician]

Perhaps he only wants to make one trip for all the plywood for the boxes (to Home Depot would be my guess).

That should be a warning in and of itself...