What it is: A water-based, urethane-reinforced acrylic enamel made specifically for cabinets, doors, trim, and furniture. It levels smoothly, dries fast, and cures to a tough, easy-to-clean finish—with low odor and low VOCs.
Why homeowners and pros pick it
- Porcelain-hard durability: made for daily wear, scuffs, and frequent cleaning on high-touch surfaces.
- Fast workflow: touch-dry ~30 minutes, recoat in 2–4 hours (great for tight schedules and low kitchen downtime).
- Smooth leveling: formulated to reduce brush/roller marks without feeling like wall paint.
- Ready for use: Ready for gentle use in 24 hours, full service in only 7 days.
- Low odor, low VOC: Comfortable to use indoors; soap-and-water cleanup.
- PolyWhey® technology: Eco-conscious durability from recycled dairy whey.
Where to use
- Kitchen & bath cabinets
- Built-ins
- Doors
- Trim and wainscoting
- Furniture
- Other high use, high touch areas
Coverage & key specs
- Covers: ~400-450 sq ft per gallon (varies by surface & method).
- Dry time: Touch ~30 minutes; recoat 2-4 hours; gentle use after 24 hours; full cure ~7 days.
- Application temp: Only apply when surface/air/product are above 50°F (10°C).
- Cleanup: Warm, soapy water.
How to apply (step-by-step)
- Prep: Clean off grease and wax, scuff-sand glossy areas, vacuum/tack. Repair defects. For bare wood or sand-throughs, prime (e.g., high-quality acrylic primer) and sand smooth. For metal, use a corrosion-resistant primer.
- Stir or shake well: Do not thin.
- Brush/Roll: Use a quality nylon-poly brush or microfiber/foam mini-roller. Load lightly, maintain a wet edge, and avoid over-working.
- Spray (optional): Strain paint. Apply light, even coats.
- Coats: Apply 2-3 thin coats for best build and smoothness.
- Cure: Protect from heavy use/cleaning for about a week while hardness develops.
Pro tips
- Work out of direct sun and heavy airflow to reduce lap marks.
- Edges and profiles look best with multiple thin coats rather than one heavy coat.
- For maximum hardness on high-traffic areas, many pros add a quart of a compatible hardness additive(e.g. Vermont Natural Coatings Paint Plus) per gallon; test first on a hidden area.
Color Matching
- C2 has a curated system (not a thousand-color library) built around nuanced, multi-colorant color behavior. If you fall in love with a C2 color, it's technically impossible to match elsewhere - especially in complex neutrals and deep tones.
- If you already have a BM, SW, or other brand's color spec'd, you'll either need to bring it to your local C2 dealer for a match, or stick with the original brand.
Why choose C2 (vs. the usual suspects)?
If you’re comparing popular cabinet/trim enamels like Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane or Benjamin Moore Advance, C2 Cabinet & Trim is often the pick when you want a premium finish without the slow project penalty.
- Faster workflow: C2 is designed for a quicker turnaround (shorter recoat window), which can mean finishing cabinets and trim in fewer days.
- Enamel-like durability: Built for high-touch surfaces—great when you want a hard, cleanable finish on cabinets, doors, and trim.
- Low-odor, water-based convenience: Easier indoor application and cleanup versus traditional solvent-heavy options.
- Tradeoffs to know: If you need exact matching to an existing SW/BM color/spec, or you prefer a product that’s stocked everywhere, one of the “big brand” options may be simpler.
Want the full breakdown (dry times, leveling, hardness, and real-world pros/cons)? Read the detailed comparison: Emerald Urethane vs. Advance vs. C2 (3-way cabinet paint comparison).
FAQs
- Do I need a primer?
- Wood: Primer is critical for the best adhesion, preventing tannin bleed, and getting the best leveling possible. Bare wood, repairs, or sand-throughs should be primed and sanded smooth with a high build sandable primer like C2 Sandable Acrylic Primer. Previously painted surfaces that have any sheen should be deglossed/scuff-sanded and ideally spot-primed.
Metal: for metal surfaces we strongly recommend using a paint with Direct-to-Metal(DTM) resin like C2 Exterior in Satin when possible. When not possible, find a strong corrosion-resistant primer. - Can I spray it?
- Yes. Strain the paint and use a 12 to 15-mil size tip. Apply light coats; do not thin unless your equipment specifically requires it.
- How long between coats, and when is it fully hard?
- Recoat in 2-4 hours under normal conditions. Full service hardness develops in about 7 days; be gentle during the first week.
- What's the VOC and cleanup?
- Low VOC; clean tools and spills with warm, soapy water.
- What sheen should I choose?
- We recommend Satin by default. For a more in depth answer, consider reading our guide to paint finishes.
