Sanding & Painting Kitchen Worktop / Cupboards

[nickd01]

We've moved into a new place, and being short of cash we'd like to just tidy the kitchen up before thinking about complete replacement.

I've fixed the doors so they hand & close properly, and now I need to look at painting the cupboards white / cream and staining the worktop. From what I can tell (And, I'm no expert) it looks like real wood units and work surface that have both been painted (Not laminated)

So, I figure I can sand / strip the paint off and then wack some new paint on...

So - questions:
-- The worktop is a dark-ish colour so I guess it will need stripping if I want to stain it. What's the best thing for the job? Chemicals? Sanding? Heat gun?
-- Do I need a special 'kitchen' paint on the cupboards or just any wood paint?
-- If I manage to stain the worktop, I assume it'll need sealing? Do I just need some kind of clear waterproof varnish?

Thanks

[m4ckg]

the worktops won't need stripping as they have probably been oiled, the best option would be to give them a light sand ( in line with the grain ) and re-oil them. Not sure about the painting bit ;-)

[nickd01]

m4ckg said:

the worktops won't need stripping as they have probably been oiled, the best option would be to give them a light sand ( in line with the grain ) and re-oil them. Not sure about the painting bit ;-)

Sorry - I should have been clearer - they've been painted a nice yellow colour so I assume I'd need to strip that paint off?

I wish they'd varnished them I really do!

[Simpo Two]

I got it:

nickd01 said:

it looks like real wood units and work surface that have both been painted

Nitromors to shift the paint, wipe down with white spirit, allow to dry. Paint the doors and oil the worktop.

[nickd01]

Simpo Two said:

Nitromors to shift the paint, wipe down with white spirit, allow to dry. Paint the doors and oil the worktop.

Nice one, thanks. I'll hit B&Q and see what they have.

Assume any form of oil / stain work work? eg if we're staining our wooden floors then we could use the same stuff and just seal it?

[B17NNS]

Did a similar thing with a cheap and cheerful renovation project once.

You'll be surprised how good it will look.

I was faced with a very dated but good quality mahogany style kitchen.

I took the doors off, a good clean with sugar soap to remove the grease, a very light sand to provide a key and a couple of coats of an eggshell finish ivory.

A set of new brushed stainless handles and it looked great.

Good luck!

[Simpo Two]

nickd01 said:

Nice one, thanks. I'll hit B&Q and see what they have.

Assume any form of oil / stain work work? eg if we're staining our wooden floors then we could use the same stuff and just seal it?

You'll need a scraper too - I use a wideish blunt chisel, taking care not to dig the edges in.

As for which product to use, look on the tin. I was advised to use Osmo Polyx Oil - it looked lovely for a while but if you leave grease or water on too long it darkens. Turned out it was for floors - so make sure you buy the right one.

With all these things, follow the instructions, take your time and work carefully because you will get a better result.

[B17NNS]

Danish oil works great on wooden worktops.

[ExChrispy Porker]

B17NNS said:

Danish oil works great on wooden worktops.

5 Coats. Denib with 400 grade between coats. HTH.