“How would you recommend painting wooden kitchens?” Question of the Week 15.01.17
“How would you recommend painting wooden kitchens?”
This week, our customer question comes from Dani in Leamington Spa. Dani is hoping to give her kitchen an update with a fresh coat of paint.
QUESTION:
“I bought all my cabinets from you in 2013 and I’m putting my house on the market so I want to give them a bit of an update. Although they are still in perfect condition, I’d like to make the lacquered oak look more modern, and so would like to know how you would recommend painting wooden kitchens?”
ANSWER:
Hi Dani,
Thank you for getting in touch! Painting frontals can be a great way to freshen up your wooden kitchen, especially if – like yours – it is still relatively new. Re-finishing wooden kitchens can be a much larger task than most people would expect it to be, however, so our first tip would be to set aside plenty of time to make sure you can create a professional-looking finish.
Preparation really is key: you will need to clean, sand, clean again and then prime your frontals before you even start to think about painting. Removing frontals from cabinets, drawers and cupboards will make all of these tasks much easier, but this does mean that you will need to find enough space for them. Please do not be tempted to stack frontals on top of each other or leave them outside where they could get wet. The steps below illustrate our own processes for painting frontals, which we’d highly advise following:
- Clean the frontals with a damp cloth and a mix containing 5% liquid soap and 95% water. Even if your cabinet doors appear clean, do not skip this step as any oil or greasy residue can prevent paint from adhering properly.
- Sand down the frontals using a medium grit (150 grit is what we use and would recommend) sandpaper. The aim of this is to create a slightly matte surface and remove the glossy finish of the lacquer.
- Clean the frontals again to ensure any traces of dust and dirt from sanding are removed.
- Prime your frontals using a natural water-based undercoat to prevent raising of the grain.
- Once the primer is dry, apply your chosen paint. We use Farrow & Ball, which we’d highly recommend: an acclaimed and expert manufacturer, Farrow & Ball supply a wide range of eco-friendly, unique paints. The water-based colours in their collection are ideal for use on timber, as they allow the natural grain of the wood to shine through.
- When the first layer of paint is completely dry, apply another. We use two coats to achieve the final look for our bespoke painted frontals and would recommend that you do the same.
- Reattach the frontals once the final layer of paint has dried thoroughly.
Alternatively, we do supply cabinet frontals as standalone items, which could offer an easy way to freshen up your wood kitchen with minimal inconvenience. As mentioned above, painting a kitchen can be a lengthier task than most would anticipate; as such, once the cost of materials and equipment – as well as the time spent – has been accounted for, it might not be the most efficient or affordable option.
There are a number of Farrow & Ball colours in our ‘Signature’ range, and we also offer a bespoke paint service if you would prefer another of the colours in their collection. If you choose to order pre-painted frontals, all you need do is wait for them to arrive, replace your old frontals, and enjoy!
Hopefully this guide has been helpful and given you another option to consider before you commence work. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards,
The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
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