Need to smarten up the kitchen but I really can’t afford a full makeover at the mo… So, painting existing cabinet doors – is it worth the effort or a total no-no?

They are IKEA ( melamine covered) at present. I’d just like a cleaner satin finish in a pale grey / white ish colour…

Advice welcome! 8)

No, replace them all!

Pant Kitchen Cabinets!?

and drawers?

Oh amazing ! They look Pants at the moment 😥

You could probably get replacements in a sale – they often go for a thong.

You’re really not helping, I just want to save a bit of wedg(i)e

We perked up a horrid kitchen with some cabinet paint – lasted well and allowed us to put off a new kitchen for a year or so. It does chip if you knock it, but the general effect is good.

The “cupboard door paint” is actually not bad…
Or worked better than I thought it would ….

Gotta be worth buying a tin and trying it on a bit you can’t see?

Zinnser BIN primer is your friend if you want paint over melamine

Ok so not totally crazy then.

Primer and seperate paint, or all in one!?

I painted my mums kitchen cabinet doors, primed with Zinzer, then satinwood on top – lasted years and looked good.

You’ll get a load of different answers re paint type, primer or not etc …

But my dad did his, rather successfully, recently and I’m pretty sure he didn’t spend that much time on it and he normally like to do things right…

Im seeing him tomorrow I’ll ask

This may help – http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/painting-kitchen-cupboards

Ok that Zinsser looks decent. Satin paint on top – obviously don’t want brush strokes showing tho, any recommendations for top coat ?

Or get someone else to do it for you – and spray painted so you’ll get nice flat colour.

http://www.kitchenfaceliftcompany.co.uk/kitchen-painting.html

Ok that Zinsser looks decent. Satin paint on top – obviously don’t want brush strokes showing tho, any recommendations for top coat ?

Use a roller!

Primer and seperate paint, or all in one!?

From memory the Wickes cupboard paint is straight on top…

YMMV and all that but it’s about the same price as primer…

If you use a good brush then brushstrokes shouldn’t be visible unless you are specifically looking.

Flock or microfibre roller.
Doors lying flat.

Or just get whatever the cheapest ikea doors are.
HÄGGEBY at £6 a pop
VEDDINGE at £12
Then it jumps to £21

(60×80 cm doors)

Replacement doors aren’t expensive. Most kitchens are standard sizes. If yours aren’t contact me and I’ll get you some made to measure at cost. Typical price for 715x496mm (drilled for hinges) £18. Vinyl wrapped, hundreds of styles and colours including high gloss (2% extra). Matching cornice, plinth, end panels, pelmets too.

Thanks folks! Yes I have been looking at cheap IKEA doors too – looking approx 160£

Ar$e !!

So they are all some funky sizes, and not sizes they do in cheaper IKEA ranges.

Might do a test paint on a spare door! 😐

Vinyl wrap as an alternative method if the doors are flat

Vinyl wrap as an alternative method if the doors are flat

We had ours wrapped (High-Gloss White) and were very pleased with the results.

Either replace with good quality doors or paint …
Imho …. you got an offer above for cost on new doors or you can paint…
Painting is obviously cheap option …. replacement you add pelmets, architraves etc. But if you get quality ones they last and hinges don’t come out etc.

I used the cupboard door paint inside cupboards as I couldn’t remove the granite worktop and it’s really much better than I expected… but quality replacemet doors are much better than cheap ones… and some good hinges also make all the difference as well. A tin of paint goes a long way and you can touch up.later .. cheap doors are likely to be damaged or warp or screws come out and you have to use filler and dowels

If you have weird sizes I’d say either paint or get them made.

IKEA changed their kitchen design about 2-3 years ago. So if you have the old style, like I have, the new style doesn’t fit 🙁

Yep I think even if I get cheap ish doors (thanks for the offer BigJ) all the extras are going to bump the cost up too much, esp as we are considering moving too…

Cabinets etc are fine, just want to lose the country cream tone!

Paint it is !!!! 😕