How to paint white glossy kitchen cabinets that have yellowed?

alponso.ji

hi everyone,

New to this so please bare with me.

My partner and I recently bought an apartment that has some amazing sunlight all through the day.

As a result, this has made the very shiny laminate (I think..?) kitchen cabinets turn into a kind of yellow that a life long smoker gets on their teeth.

We’ve obviously just got the mortgage so don’t have too much funds left behind but is there a way I can fix this?

From what I’ve researched, you can sand down the surface with a 400 grit sandpaper then apply a UV resistant kitchen cabinets paint.

I’ve never DIYed anything before so I’m scared that I’m going to ruin it and end up paying more to fix it.

Would appreciate any and every advice!

Picture below for reference.

PS. Much yellower in real life

EricL

Hello @alponso.ji

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about painting your kitchen cabinets.

Firstly, congratulations on your new apartment. That’s such an exciting milestone, and having beautiful natural light is honestly fantastic, even if it’s showing up a few little cosmetic issues right now. What you’re describing is really common with older glossy laminate cabinets, especially white ones that get a lot of sun exposure. The good news is that this is absolutely something you can tackle yourself, even as a first timer, as long as you take your time.

You’re on the right track with your research. The key is preparation. Start by giving the cabinets a really thorough clean with a sugar soap to remove any oils or residue. Once they’re fully dry, lightly sand the surface with a fine 400 grit sandpaper just enough to dull the shine rather than strip it back completely. Wipe away all dust with sugar soap wipes and let it dry.

From there, I’d recommend using Dulux Renovation primer and the Dulux Renovation Range for cupboards, which is designed specifically for laminate and glossy surfaces. Apply it with a high-quality foam roller in thin, even coats, allowing proper drying time between coats. Usually, two coats will give you a fresh, bright finish, and the range is durable and suitable for kitchens. Take your time, don’t overload the roller, and work in good lighting so you can see your coverage.

It might feel intimidating now, but this is a very achievable project and one that can make a huge difference to the space without the cost of replacing cabinetry. If you go slowly and follow the prep steps carefully, you’ll be surprised at how professional it can look.

I also suggest having a quick look at the 10 kitchens transformed with paint and the Top 10 most popular kitchen projects.

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to paint cabinet doors

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask when working on your project. My best advice is to cover your furniture with drop sheets to protect them from sanding dust.

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

Eric