Painting kitchen units

[Elllie]

I want to paint the orange pine doors white. They are the flat contemporary type, and I'd be too nervous about doing a bad job and leaving streaks. I'd also have no idea about what paint to use.
Who do I call to do this for me? A carpenter? Are there specialists? Should I do this myself?

if they are flat doors they should be a doddle to paint.

give them a good clean with sugar soap, a light sanding and then use a good primer/undercoat - zinnsser b.i.n. is very good - and then at least two coats of eggshell/emulsion/whatever you are using.

use a mini roller rather than a brush to get the best finish.

if this all sounds like too much of a faff then get some quotes from painters i would think, rather than carpenters.

Would you put a varnish or any type of coating on them, or just leave the paint?

I painted my cupboards last year and they came out really well. Used same method as Ceres suggests. Mine were oak cabinets from Ikea.

Clean really well with sugar soap
Light sanding
2 coats of International primer for wood
I then used 2 coats of Farrow and Ball eggshell.
Make sure you get a really good quality brush.

Did take a while as I have quite a big kitchen with a lot of cabinets. I got a really good finish and has not chipped at all inspite of 2 little ones!

as above and then F and B recommended a matt varnish on top.

Can i hidjack and ask the easiest way to sand?

ask your husband.

to do it, that is!

Thanks.

I don't have a husband.

You don't need to sand loads, just enough to create a rough surface for the primer. Use the fine or medium grade paper rather than the really coarse one.

Ooooh thanks - you have inspired me

me too

I think i am going to go with the crown kitchen cupboard paint - once i save up enough for the worktops. I saw some nice handles in wilkinsons at 9.99 for 4 - and as i only have a tiny kitchen, i only need 2 packs

good luck Ellie and WAEL, please come back and tell how it went

partyhats which ikea kitchen range did you paint. There are a few different oak ranges in ikea and I am not sure if they are all paintable?

Thank you partyhats and jetcat

Will plug up the courage and try it!
(I have to paint the tiles too, started a thread about it but no replies)

Ooooooh magichomes, where can you get that done?
I told my DH that I would be painting them myself and he looked a bit then
He of little faith.
........but just in case I fudge it up - where?!!!!!
Ooooooooh.......cunning plan - have that done and then tell him I did it myself, so he stops the when I tell him I'm going to do some DIY.
For contemporary look would matt or eggshell type work better?

Can I hijack to ask if you can do anything about a grim worktop, other than replace it?

We have a house previously in multiple occupancy.

Oak effect kitchen, reasonably sturdy but fugly colour - nice metal handles, though. Horrible stained formica worktop, the colour of vomit. Nasty wood effect vinyl flooring, pitted with stilletto marks & covering decidedly uneven floor. Walls are greasy anaglypta. Overall layout is awkward.

Obviously, we're eventually going to need to gut the room & start all over again! But atm we really can't afford the sort of kitchen I'd like (bespoke, hand-made & freestanding, basically).

I'm considering giving it a facelift by painting the doors etc, covering as much as possible of the flooring with cheap Ikea rugs, & painting the walls.

Is there anything I can do to cover the worktop? Reluctant to replace it, as it's a silly shape, & the carcasses it's standing on are probably only good for another 2 years or so.

yeah you can buy that stick stuff that you stick on its like worktop colous but sticky

Cheers Custardo, I'll look into that!