Can I paint my kitchen cupboards?!!

lana22

newnhak wrote: »

Thanks for the comments on my kitchen - this kitchen went through 2 successive paint jobs - first it was mid blue (which was ok), then the green (which I loved). We only painted the doors leaving the carcasses as is (so cant answer your q regarding melamine panels although I am sure I have seen melamine primer?).

As ex was a sprayer he did all the degreasing with whatever they use (prob still sugar soap) - but still had an issue with the grooves on the panel over the extractor fan. Apart from this the painting worked well - I painted the tiles too - not sure if you can see them on the pic. They lasted about 5 years before starting to peel in places (mainly near the sink but I managed to hide most of it). I used tile primer for these.

The kitchen was old when we moved in 12 years ago and I have managed to make it last - in fact I am only taking it out now because I want a better layout. I painted the ceiling too (was clad in oak panelling) and this made a big difference as it was really dark and dingy before. If you are selling I would definitely consider painting first as it does go a long way to brightening a kitchen and making it look like new with little cost involved.

Ikea had these handles in brass and chrome last time I looked.

We also want a new kitchen but don't really want to spend the money yet.
So we have considered painting the units. I have already painted the tiles white, which looks so much better already, but am fed up with the units.
They don't have handles at all, they are old fashioned flat front ones which have a groove for your fingers to open them.

Do we have to remove the doors in order to paint them? The units are pretty old and I'm worried if we remove the doors then they will be hard to put back on again?

Might just bite the bullet and get a new kitchen. My Dad can fit it, and the actuall units wouldn't be too much, but the new tiles, flooring, plastering where the old extractor is, appliances etc, will cost a fortune. If I could get it for £750 I would do it but think it would be more like thousands!

newnhak

We removed the doors - it would be much easier to paint them if you remove them. My units were old too but the doors came off fine. However if you mean the doors with the groove handle at top and then the rest is just one flat panel then I am sure I saw an old episode of House Doctor once where she just rubbed these down and used a roller to do the door in situ.

How many units do you need? I am just having quotes for my new kitchen and I need approx 7 base units (including couple of drawer ones) plus 7 wall units - the costs i am getting at the moment is about £2.5k which includes worktops and sink but not fitting or appliances.

I am keeping my existing washing machine, t/dryer and dishwasher - would love integrated but cant justify getting rid of the existing ones as they work fine.

I am hoping to do my whole project for less than £5K - that includes
£1k - for building work. I had new windows so they need plastering round and the walls with no units need skimming as they are currently covered with artex (yuk!). also having floor levelled.
£1k - for appliances - f/freezer, hob, oven, chimney hood
£2.5 - units
£950 - fitting of kitchen
£500 - flooring and tiles and paint (although may just have splashbacks instead of tiles)

As you can see i am a bit over!! (had to edit as my first post showed I was on budget but I forgot fitting!!)

Bibbitybob

I painted my cupboard doors too - they were melamine wood effect (see here) and I sugar soaped them, then painted on eggshell and used a sponge roller over the top to give a nice flat finish. The walls aren't finished in this pic, but you get the idea of the units!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/bibbitybob/PB300332.jpg

Bibbitybob

lana22 wrote: »

Do we have to remove the doors in order to paint them? The units are pretty old and I'm worried if we remove the doors then they will be hard to put back on again?

You're less likely to get drips if you lay them flat, so I'd recommend it for a nice finish. You can take the doors off by unscrewing the screw in the middle of the hinges so the door won't be affected at all. Someone on here painted units that sound very similar...I think it was on the shabby chic thread in the OS forum, I'll have a look!

lana22

newnhak wrote: »

We removed the doors - it would be much easier to paint them if you remove them. My units were old too but the doors came off fine. However if you mean the doors with the groove handle at top and then the rest is just one flat panel then I am sure I saw an old episode of House Doctor once where she just rubbed these down and used a roller to do the door in situ.

How many units do you need? I am just having quotes for my new kitchen and I need approx 7 base units (including couple of drawer ones) plus 7 wall units - the costs i am getting at the moment is about £2.5k which includes worktops and sink but not fitting or appliances.

I am keeping my existing washing machine, t/dryer and dishwasher - would love integrated but cant justify getting rid of the existing ones as they work fine.

I am hoping to do my whole project for less than £5K - that includes
£1k - for building work. I had new windows so they need plastering round and the walls with no units need skimming as they are currently covered with artex (yuk!). also having floor levelled.
£1k - for appliances - f/freezer, hob, oven, chimney hood
£2.5 - units
£950 - fitting of kitchen
£500 - flooring and tiles and paint (although may just have splashbacks instead of tiles)

As you can see i am a bit over!! (had to edit as my first post showed I was on budget but I forgot fitting!!)

Yep that's the ones I mean!

Our kitchen is very small compared to yours, we have just 3 bottom units and 4 top ones, plus a fake one where the extractor is.

lana22

Bibbitybob wrote: »

You're less likely to get drips if you lay them flat, so I'd recommend it for a nice finish. You can take the doors off by unscrewing the screw in the middle of the hinges so the door won't be affected at all. Someone on here painted units that sound very similar...I think it was on the shabby chic thread in the OS forum, I'll have a look!

Would be great if you could find that thread!

skipton

My mum has painted her units twice since moving into her new house. First it was shaker green which was great but now she has gone for powder blue which looks fantastic. She bought wooden handles for the green. Her tiles are white. The difference it has made is unbelievable. My units are very dark so are on the list for painting too.

angelavdavis

TomsMom wrote: »

I started a thread asking this question but have had not replies. What do you do with the melamine sides, i.e. if you have wall cupboards near your cooker and they get splashes of grease it's no problem to clean them if they're the original melamine. Can you paint them, with what and if so can it be cleaned same as melamine?

Hi,

Previously, I have tiled these (in my old kitchen in London). You can also cover with an end panel, depending on the situation. You can paint them, but in areas where the surfaces get a lot of splashes, I would be cautious doing this.

sallyrsm

you can paint them and clean them, it's just an idea to wipe them more often so you're not having to SCRUB at thick grease... I used sandpaper, then International Tile Primer, then Eggshell paint, and if you use stardrops and a non scratchy cloth (or microfibre) then grease and gubbins come off a treat.

TomsMom

sallyrsm wrote: »

and if you use stardrops and a non scratchy cloth (or microfibre) then grease and gubbins come off a treat.

No problem there, Stardrops and microfibre cloths already resident in my kitchen :rotfl: