Painting kitchen cabinets?

[Deleted User] · 27 August 2006 at 9:57AM

Have you ever painted yours and does it last or does the paint chip off after a while?

I inherited antique pine units and my kitchen looks so dark, I'd love to paint them. I'd be using primer, undercoat and eggshell paint (probably by Farrow & Ball). How durable is it really, I don't want to end up with a shabby-chic looking kitchen :rotfl:

Thanks.

abbecer · 27 August 2006 at 10:10AM

I've never done it in the kitchen but have done it with furniture. Don't try to scrimp on the boring preparation, sanding etc as the finish won't last. It really is worth the extra effort for a professional finish.

Rebecca x

[Deleted User] · 27 August 2006 at 10:15AM

That's what I though, thanks Rebecca. I was hoping I could get away with sanding...that is a horrible job especially when you have a toddler in the house.

abbecer · 27 August 2006 at 10:21AM

I agree about the sanding. I would rather do ironing, scrubbing toilets etc rather than sanding. Can't complain too much though as it is rare that i do it due to my asthma. Hubby is really good and lets me get away with it.

Rebecca x

nickj_2 · 27 August 2006 at 11:37AM

make sure you give the wood a good scrub with sugar soap

Be_Happy · 27 August 2006 at 4:51PM

Hi

We painted our kitchen cabinets abour 2 years ago, using Crown Kitchen Cabinet makeover paint. Looked lovely and light usage areas have kept up appearance. Heavy usage areas eg cupboard under sink are suffering though. Have kept remainder of paint handy and have had to touch up paint occasionally. Our main problem is style of doors - arches and grooves, etc which always seem to gather dirt and look untidy.

It was good while it lasted, but we are now refitting kitchen. Husband still thinks it would be possible to repaint doors, but he isn't the one who has to clean them.

tagz · 27 August 2006 at 6:49PM

We painted the kitchen cabinets that we inherited with the house (laminate stuff not wood), and I wish I hadn't. I used the primer and then a specialist paint and it looked good for a couple of months. I then noticed that some of the paint was starting to peel off and when I washed down the units the paint came off too. We are now waiting to have the kitchen extended and have a new kitchen put in but in the meantime it looks worse than when we moved in!

tawnyowls · 28 August 2006 at 5:17PM

I've used International melamine paint on a desk, and that worked well. However, the steamy atmosphere of a kitchen probably means you'll have to suss out paints that are very specifically for that task.

OverlandLandy · 27 December 2006 at 8:03PM

Following on this thread.....

Are there any more reccomendations about the type (or Brand) of paint to use on kitchen units/doors?

I have seen a few different ones In B&Q etc....but I have no real idea which of them would give the best result in terms of look/finish?

My units are virtually new, and expensive....but the last owners had a 'wood fetish'...the walls, floors, kitchen units....ALL DARK WOOD..it makes what should be a bright wee cottage very dim!!!

I cant afford to replace the units, and replacing the doors alone is not really an option as there are lots of bits of wood finishers/downlights etc.....

All help and advice appreciated..........and NO I havn't grown to like the colour! My Retired parents like all the wood tho....is it a generation thing.....:)

mrs_baggins · 28 December 2006 at 9:25AM

I used the crown kitchen makeover paint on mine. wasnt a huge choice of colour but they had one to suit me. I finished off with a coat of clear matt varnish for protection. It gave my kitchen a new lease of life which will last a couple of years till we can upgrade. The old kitchen was a wood effect melamine I guess it was (dont know for sure). The sanding wasnt a big job -just a very light one and not necc all over either. I painted it first with some kind of melamine preparation from b and q. Ok the finish isnt brilliant as you can see some brush marks but it looks a lot more modern than it did. I bought some really cheap handles from ikea but they look really modern. With new flooring as well it will certainly last for a while. The cupboards were painted over 6 months ago and shows no problems- maybe it was the varnish (makes them easier to wipe).

misgrace · 28 December 2006 at 11:26AM

Hi Overlandlandy, if your doors are made of real wood, then you must rub them down sandpaper, to get the shine off them, then use an oil-base undercoat, and U/C at least 2-3 times, lightly sanding down in between, then your last 2 coats, either use satinwood for a slight sheen, or eggshell for a matt finish, and both be oilbased.

Mrs baggins is also right, if you use ordinary kitchen paint, then apply 2 coats of varnish, again oil base for protection.

If your doors are a melamine finish, then buy some 'ESP' from any DIY stores, it comes a screw top metal container, and looks like water.
It is excellent stuff, its a primer for plastic, melamine etc, it tells you on tin what to do.
Once you have used the 'ESP', there is no need to rub down with that, you then do what I said above, U/C and top coat etc, preferable with oil base paint.
Hope this helps, if you need any more help let me know, as I have re-painted wood and melamine wardrobes, cupboards etc for years, so trust me, 'ESP' is the best thing on the market, but not for real wood.

Painting kitchen cabinets?

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