Painting kitchen cupboards

[Nikhedonia]

Any recommendations? Things to watch out for?

The kitchen cupboards are bare wood and I'm thinking of upcycling rather than replacing.

Do I have to use a primer or do some wood paints contain a primer?

Any recommendations for which paints to use/avoid?

Bedec multi surface paint is fab, good range of colours, no sanding or undercoat. Make sure you clean with sugar soap first.

I used the Wilko brand furniture and cupboard primer and paint a couple of years back, applied with a gloss roller. Looks decent and has lasted well with no flaking or chips. That was on melamine kitchen units.

Take the doors off, mark them up with a plan.
Give them a good sand down with furniture grade fine sandpaper.
Wash with sugar soap
Then decided what colour you are painting and use a light or dark tone primer.
Then paint, if you need another coat, perhaps a light sand or just paint again.

Use a small roller, and use proper (we have a Dulux Matt Wood) paint. Don’t use rusteouleum or Annie Sloan chalk paint, it’s harder to do and thick.

One painted, it’ll be soft for around a week after it dries, during this time be super careful.

Loads of info here. I’ve painted a wooden kitchen in Little Greene Oil eggshell, use a small roller and brush, slow going but very satisfying.

Thank you.

I think I need to go out and get some samples. Is it mostly one coat paints or is it two coats?

If you want a durable finish you need 3 tins and four coats: primer, undercoat, 2x top coat. If they have any varnish or wax on them you will need a special primer from a decorators merchant (after you've cleaned advanced as much as possible) Otherwise they are likely to chip, that's all. Real wood doors are lovely, they deserve good prep and finish.

Sorry obviously it depends on how much of a job you want to make it. It is easier If you can take all the fronts off and set yourself up in a quiet dust free room. I stand them on scraps of wood batten so I can do the first side and turn over, then leave them all to dry.

Don’t take the doors off. It’s easier for painting but if I had my time back I’d put up with the fiddliness and leave them in place.