I don't want a new kitchen but...

clive0510

About 20 yrs ago I and a friend of mine, fitted a new kitchen in here. and a good job it was too. pale green n white. the cupboard doors are mdf covered in that kinda fablon material. they are white and come up like new, with some mr muscle and elbow grease. but whats happening now is that the covering on the doors and draw fronts is beginning to peal off round the edges. I can actually pull it off with my finger n thumb. in fact I'd like to pull it all off and just paint the mdf underneath. is that feasible? 
I wonder what are your thoughts on this, and is your kitchen of the same design?

GDB2222

Either do that, or buy replacement doors and drawer fronts. Surprised how cheap my SIL's quote was.

clive0510

GDB2222 said:

Either do that, or buy replacement doors and drawer fronts. Surprised how cheap my SIL's quote was.

thanks for the reply. who is sils? do they have a website?

Alderbank

I think SIL might be Sister-In-Law (she might have a website of course!)

Replacement doors are cheaper than a new kitchen but still a significant expense-
A made-to-measure plain slab door in white vinyl, which is probably what you have, costs about £50. A drawer front is about £23 so about £140 for new fronts for a double base unit.

You can peel off the twenty-year-old vinyl and repaint your doors. A hairdryer (or very careful use of a hot-air gun) will make peeling easier. Make sure you remove the vinyl on the backs as well as the fronts. With care and a suitable roller you can get a very good finish but paint does not seal as well as vinyl and they might warp after a time.

fenwick458

Peeling the veneer off MDF is likely to be very time consuming, and the end result might not be great, you'd have to finish it really well so that it's protected properly. I'd get a quote for new doors and take it from there

Bendy_House

Are they plain fronts, Clive? If so, then the chances of them looking anywhere as good as they currently do when painted is much less likely - a flat, plain door will usually require a very good standard finish in order to look acceptable. And, the glossier the finish, the better it has to be.

If it's a 'panelled' door, then it can look great when painted - like a, well, proper bespoke painted kitchen.

If you are happy to consider new doors as suggested above, then there's no harm in peeling one and seeing how you get on - now't to lose

Slinky

My friend has just done this and sent me photos. Looked really good, but she's an artist so is used to making a good job of painting.

SaverRate

Slinky said:

My friend has just done this and sent me photos. Looked really good, but she's an artist so is used to making a good job of painting.

Ask her to paint for you?

Slinky

SaverRate said:

Slinky said:

My friend has just done this and sent me photos. Looked really good, but she's an artist so is used to making a good job of painting.

Ask her to paint for you?

Well I would, but it's not going to help the OP!

Paper_hearts_1

I’m in the same boat as you, and considered painting them/using the vinyl rolls you can get from B&Q.

Just waiting on a quote for replacing the kitchen doors and worktop. If I’m honest, I did a quick check online and for £800, I’ll basically have a new kitchen!!

clive0510

yes I did think about having just new doors n drawer fronts, tops are ok, plus I like the worktops I have. so to replace doors n draw fronts works out about £50 per item. and in my kitchen thats about £700 if i buy the stuff and do it myself. . but that doesnt include the plinths and trims. they would be extra.