www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

I have been getting measured up for a new kitchen from several firms and one person suggested sanding and removing the current doors and repainting, and getting a new worktop. This in theory sounds great to me - far less expense but the more I look in to it, far more hassle.

My kitchen unit doors are all solid wood. It would seem a bit daft replacing them with new MDF ones (not much wrong with current carcasses if not perhaps a little tired) especially given that my doors are shaker style which seems timeless enough to me.

So I was wondering if perhaps anyone has any experience with 'dipping' solid wood doors to remove the finish, then priming and painting? If possible, that would seem more practical than countless hours of sanding...

Then with a change of handles and the new worktop my kitchen could be transformed. Couldn't it?!?

After that my only query would be what to do with the MDF kick boards and the pelmets?

Any advice/knowledge shared would be appreciated.

Thanks

Plenty of kitchen doors get painted and you do the pelmets trim and end panels at the same time. Most importantly you have to thoroughly degrease all surfaces. Next, two coats of Zinsser BIN to cover and seal and then the top coats. Bit of a slog but it will turn out nice. Worth doing wall tiles and worktops first and masking well

DWD

Thanks DWD - no mention of sanding or dipping though. Is this not necessary when using Zinsser BIN (supposing thorough degreasing has been done?) I'd be absolutely delighted if that were the case!

Yes, Zinnser is a brilliant product over varnish. No need to sand just flatten any high spots. A wipe down with meths helps prior to the first coat of BIN. Work quickly with BIn as it goes off real quick. The first coat looks crap but do not worry as the second coat levels it up nicely.

DWD

Brilliant DWD - thanks. I feel a lot better about tackling it now. Cheers.

What is the choice paint for the top coats?

blakes wrote:What is the choice paint for the top coats?

Ah sorry. I have only just noticed that this was in Kitchen fitting. Probably better asked in Painting and Decorating.

I'll move it.

For kitchens I would use an oil based paint. I used Johnstones satin on a job I did which was mixed to a Farrow and Ball colour. It rolled on nicely and self levelled to a lovely finish. Get some nice mini roller sleeves. Paint has moved on a bit and the acrylics are very good now so have a look at this link http://www.johnstonestrade.com/search-r ... de=anyword

DWD