What is a 2-Pack finish?

So, you’re looking at building a new kitchen, perhaps even a nice custom made furniture piece, and the cabinet maker keeps mentioning “2-Pack” as if it’s a product you know everything about. If you have no idea what this mystical “2-Pack” product is, then you’ve come to the right place.

What actually is a 2-Pack kitchen cabinet finish??

2-Pack is a spray on finish, similar to what you’d have applied to your car. It can be either a clear coat or a “solid” colour. But I bet you’re still wondering what the “2-Pack” wording actually means? Now this is where listening to your high school chemistry teacher might have come in handy.

Most paints and clear finishes are solvent based. The solvents, or thinners, are what enable the finish to be applied with spray equipment. They enable the thick clear finish to be “thinned” enough to exit the spray end of the spray gun. When these solvents evaporate, the finish hardens and sticks to the surface.

2-Pack finishes work differently. A 2-Pack finish consists of two separate liquids:

One pack contains a resin composed of acrylic paint and melamine
The other pack is a hardener, polyisocyanate resin

When these two “packs” are mixed together, a chemical reaction occurs. This reaction causes the mixture to harden. Because only a small amount of solvent is in the mix, almost nothing is lost by evaporation and the result is a thicker, more durable finish, which is perfect for kitchen cabinetry surfaces. The only disadvantages of 2-Pack are all in the process of applying the finish (and these only affect the finisher, not the end user):

2-Pack finishes dry slowly, and must be applied in a dust-free environment
Heat speeds up the drying process, so a temperature-controlled spray booth is required
The hardener contains isocyanate, a toxic chemical.
The person who sprays a 2-Pack finish must wear a special breathing device and work in a ventilated spray booth to apply it safely

2-Pack finishes are safe after they dry, but applying them requires expertise and a specialized spray booth and equipment. That’s why they are more expensive than others kitchen/joinery finishes.

Temperature controlled spray booth.

Choosing a 2-Pack finish for your kitchen

2-Pack paint was originally designed for the automotive industry. It is still the most commonly used paint type for vehicles. When 2-Pack was first adopted for use in the cabinet/joinery industry, it was because kitchen designers wanted a high-quality gloss finish.

Today, 2-Pack finishes are available for use on any type of door profile, available in clear or “solid” paint colours, and at various gloss levels. Colours can even be mixed to specifications, and at varying strengths. A kitchen designer can help you choose your door profile and colour, but will probably want to know a little more about your lifestyle before recommending a gloss level. In most cases, you’ll have three to choose from:

The latest trend in cabinet finishing is a matte finish, with a 5% gloss level
If you prefer a smoother finish, satin (30% gloss level) is smooth enough to look stylish, but forgiving when scratched or marked
A gloss finish looks stunning, but fingerprints, sun glare and scratches will be most noticeable. This finish is slightly more expensive, (as the shiny finish is more likely to show up surface imperfections), and requires the furniture polisher to do more thorough inspections and resprays during the painting process.

How much does 2-Pack kitchen cabinetry cost?

If you want custom kitchen cabinets with a 2-Pack finish, expect to pay for the privilege. Having said that, in regards to all the joinery finishes out there, 2-Pack is the only one that will: