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Painting Kitchen Cabinets

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kloofnek | 19:47 Sun 05th Apr 2015 | DIY
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I am having my kitchen cabinets painted,a trial one has been done on a spare door and it looks really nice.
Now,I have read that they are best done in high gloss or semi-gloss paint...the above said was done in satin sheen but this will not be suitable long term..so once again,I ask your advice.
I have also read something about a clear sealant or varnish for this kind of paintwork???
By the way,the cabinets are wood...not melamine.
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Kloofs ........... I've had good results using simple emulsion paint on bare timber doors. The actual paint doesn't really matter because I finish with a couple of coats of Junckers "Strong". It's a floor varnish that's practically bomb-proof. It has UV protection as well, so it won't yellow.
10:23 Mon 06th Apr 2015
I would suggest that you paint them in the colour of your choice. Then apply a coat or two of 'Non yellowing' varnish(water based), in gloss, satin or matt.
It's best done in the style that appeals to you.

That said I can see a smooth gloss might be more hygenic/cleanable, but I'd doubt it's a big issue.
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Thank you.when you say "water based"..what does this mean.please?
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That is what I am thinking. old-geezer.will.wipe over easier and been more resilient to knocks etc.
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...be more..
Some varnishes use water as a constituent and will say so on the tin. Brushes are washed out in water afterwards. Others are not water based and brushes need to be cleaned afterwards using white spirit or similar.
Oil based varnishes will 'Yellow' over time, become darker basically. Modern water based alternatives are less prone to this, meaning that the original colour underneath will not darken/fade over time. Not all!.... Look for a tin that states 'non yellowing' on the lable.
Best of luck.
Kloofs ........... I've had good results using simple emulsion paint on bare timber doors. The actual paint doesn't really matter because I finish with a couple of coats of Junckers "Strong".

It's a floor varnish that's practically bomb-proof. It has UV protection as well, so it won't yellow.
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Thank you builder...sorry bout late reply...my birthday and I have had a few visitors.
My kitchen is oak colour , not bare wood,as I have already said,the trial one has painted very well..but think it would be beneficial to put a "sealant".
Looked up Junkers strong varnish,it is satin sheen...is yours that one as is there a semi-gloss one?

So I can use a good emulsion paint and a layer of varnish.yes.


Happy birthday Kloofnek.
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Thank you Margo x
Ah... not bare wood then? Ok, same applies, but I'd forgotten to mention that it'll need de-greasing first. Sugar soap is ideal for this, or a liquid de-greaser.

It's not essential, but working the cleaner in with wire wool is helpful. It gets it into all the crevices, and lightly sands it down as well.

Maybe brush paint into the mouldings first, then roll all the flat bits.

Your Dulux link is fine. It's a good, hard finish. The only reason I go for floor varnish is simply that floors take maximum bashing. Possibly overkill ;o)

The Junckers is silk-matt. Much the same as "satin" or "semi-gloss". Also gloss, but that's purely a matter of personal preference.

http://www.decoratingdirect.co.uk/viewprod/j/JUNSTG/
I suggest you don't brush paint them, you will get a much better professional looking job by investing in a paint spray http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=paint+sprayer&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=29164350973&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&;hvrand=15400593936439820395&hvpone=&hvptwo=&;hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_9jqbjnv9cw_e
You can get one for around 50 quid and it can be used for so many things, you can coat your garden shed in little time and save on materials to boot.
That is a very good idea from Khandro. I have to say, though, that they do need a lot of practice before launching onto the real thing. Would definitely give a good result.

When this has come up before on here, I've also suggested using aerosol sprays from Halfords, or even taking the doors to a car spraying shop.
Excuse me kloofnek but I'd just like to ask The Builder a related question if you don't mind. TB, I like the idea of taking the doors to a garage for a respray. Can non wooden doors be sprayed? I've got high gloss doors on my kitchen cabinets and I'd love to get the colour changed.
I'm sure Kloofs won't mind, LadyB.

Yes, just about anything can be painted in a car bodyshop. They use a lot of commercial, synthetic paints. They certainly take the knocks.

In some cases they use a matt base coat, then get the shine (or semi-shine) by overspraying with a clear lacquer.

By adding sparkly coloured flake to the lacquer, you could have a really cool custom hot rod look.

........... or even .............

https://www.paintwithpearl.com/

................. also ............

https://www.outrageousfinishes.co.uk/products/holographic_flakes/

I had a Chevrolet Camaro once in a sparkly gold flake .......... supercool ;o)
Thanks TB, that has solved a problem that has been on my mind for a year and a half. I was balking at the thought of doing it myself. I'll talk to the garage tomorrow and get a price.

Thank you also for the colour/finish suggestions but I don't think I'd dare ...
I had a Chevrolet Camaro once in a sparkly gold flake .......... supercool ;o)


Did you, Mr Saxophonist, a V8 I trust. Big block or small block, what year was it ?.

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Painting Kitchen Cabinets

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