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Is it feasible to paint kitchen cupboards?

Hey, we had arranged for a painter to paint our whole house including kitchen cabinet doors white.

After inspecting the property today the painter has suggested that the doors are not worth painting and it would be better to replace them. He said he would knock $500 off the price if we don't paint the doors. Although it doesn't seem "worth it" to him - we are wondering if it will be worth it to us, as the current cupboards are a dark colour, which I hate.

I'm tried figure out approximate cost of replacing the doors but from what I can see it would be way over $500 - $1,000 range. Our maximum budget would be $1000 at the minute. There are 8 standard doors, 1 corner door, 4 long doors.

Based on the pictures does it look like these doors might come up alright with a paint?

Appreciate any insights.

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Jewelleryrescue

Hi @mccarthyelaine7

Yes, the brown timber look is old but wait long enough that will be the fashion again.

I used to professionally restore kitchens by up grading the doors and facia boards and remodelling the kitchen to fit new oven styles. etc so the most cost-effective way is as follows.

So if your where to want to replace the doors etc I would take them to a kitchen build specialist (Shop around) and have them make you new doors item for item. This used to cost us approx $700 to $1500 for a larger kitchen 15 years ago, so I expect this price to have doubled or tripled.

Add new hinges and re install them. See where the cupboards are an exposed? You will need a new panel on there screwed from the inside of the cupboard. You Will also need a few rolls of laminate tape in the same colour that irons on over the exposed edges.

New Cupboard finishes they could provide will also vary with how much you pay.

Honestly I think you could completely refresh your kitchen by repainting it properly. I would not let that painter do the work as they are telling you they don't want to do the work and if you force em into it they will do a minimal job that won't look as nice as it could be. Plus they would use standard paints that will not las as long as what I am planning. Most painters want to get in get out get paid quick not spend time on a fiddly kitchen.

If I was you i would DIY or get another painter specifically for the kitchen to your specifications.

I think your doors etc painted would look great white maybe some cream as an option in the grooves.

1 take all the doors off or do them in sections one or two at a time. Take off there hinges and handles etc

2 gently sand them clean and smooth

3 Use a stain cover under coat ff Buy a couple of inexpensive trestles to sit the doors on paint on side at a time sanding lightly between coats

4 Use a Tile and laminate paint designed for the purpose It will look smoother than regular paint and be more hard wearing as it is enamel paint.

5Replace any old loose hinges.

6 Some new handles to complete your transformation

7 reassemble as you go.

The same process can be applied to the other dark doors in your house. like your wardrobe and jkitchen cupboards sides fixed into place.

For the kitchen 4 Litres of Laminate paint probably 4 Liters of undercoat paint there may be some left over to start the wardrobe doors.

Oh PS line your draws and cupboards with some draw liner paper contact paper designs etc etc to give a 100% fresh start.

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EricL

Hello @mccarthyelaine7

Thanks for sharing your question about your kitchen cupboards. I do believe that these doors will come up very nicely when painted. I can't imagine why your painter would not want to paint them. However, if you wish to paint the doors yourself, I suggest doing a little bit of an investigation on what type of door you currently have. If it is a timber door all the way through you should see the timber grain of the wood travel all the way to the very back of it. There would be no mysterious material folds, or a white melamine cover plastered on the back of the door.

If it is wood veneer, you would see the edge of the veneer where it ends on the edge of the door. You might also see parts of it chipping away if it's starting to deteriorate. A wrapped laminate door will give itself away by the way its been vacuum formed onto the door itself. it will usually abruptly end, and a white melamine panel is usually pasted at the back of the door.

If it is real timber or timber veneer the regular rules of sanding, priming and painting will apply should you wish to paint it. You can use regular primer and paint when painting over timber. However, if you have a laminated surface, I suggest using the Dulux Renovation Range, this paint system has been specifically designed to go over laminated surfaces. There are extra steps involved to its preparation so its best to prepare an area when painting these types of doors.

Here is a link to ideas and inspiration: 20 kitchens transformed with paint

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to paint laminate kitchen cabinets.

With a little bit of planning and creativity you can give your kitchen a second life.

If you have any other question we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

mccarthyelaine7

Thanks Eric! Really appreciate it 🙂

mccarthyelaine7

Hi Eric,

Similarly could you please provide advice on how we would paint these doors wardrobe white?

What equipment and amount of paint would be required?

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @mccarthyelaine7

Yes, the brown timber look is old but wait long enough that will be the fashion again.

I used to professionally restore kitchens by up grading the doors and facia boards and remodelling the kitchen to fit new oven styles. etc so the most cost-effective way is as follows.

New Cupboard finishes they could provide will also vary with how much you pay.

If I was you i would DIY or get another painter specifically for the kitchen to your specifications.

I think your doors etc painted would look great white maybe some cream as an option in the grooves.

1 take all the doors off or do them in sections one or two at a time. Take off there hinges and handles etc

2 gently sand them clean and smooth

3 Use a stain cover under coat ff Buy a couple of inexpensive trestles to sit the doors on paint on side at a time sanding lightly between coats

4 Use a Tile and laminate paint designed for the purpose It will look smoother than regular paint and be more hard wearing as it is enamel paint.

5Replace any old loose hinges.

6 Some new handles to complete your transformation

7 reassemble as you go.

The same process can be applied to the other dark doors in your house. like your wardrobe and jkitchen cupboards sides fixed into place.

For the kitchen 4 Litres of Laminate paint probably 4 Liters of undercoat paint there may be some left over to start the wardrobe doors.

Oh PS line your draws and cupboards with some draw liner paper contact paper designs etc etc to give a 100% fresh start.

EricL

Hello @mccarthyelaine7

In regards to your wardrobe doors, I suggest sanding them down with a detail sander. This will allow you to get into the louvers and tight corners of the door. I suggest using Zinsser 3.78L White Bulls Eye Primer Undercoat Sealer And Stain Blocker and for the topcoat I recommend either Dulux 1L Vivid White Low Gloss Aquanamel Enamel Paint or Taubmans 2L White Low Sheen Water Based Enamel.

You'll need a Paint Partner 700ml Paint Pot to transfer your paint from the can, and a good midsized brush such as the UNi-PRO 63mm You Can Do It Sash Cutter Paint Brush

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to paint a door. (the techniques used are applicable to your project)

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

mccarthyelaine7

This response really inspired me and I've followed your guidance exactly. They're being painted by a specialist guy tomorrow.

Regarding the drawer liner, would you be able to suggest where I can get this? I imagine adhesive would be better? I don't see any at Bunnings and limited options online.

Thank you so much!! Really appreciate your time.

EricL

Hello @mccarthyelaine7

I recommend having a look at the Boyle Self Adhesive Film. It is a decorative surface on one side and a highly adhesive material on the other side, sticking to the desired surface with minimal effort. It can be used for shelf or drawer lining, book covering, art and craft use, school projects and more. My best advice is to give the drawer a proper clean to make sure that there is no dust or debris before you fix the liner in place.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

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