Can I paint these MDF kitchen cupboards?

[JohnnyUK]

Hi All

Our kitchen cupboards of 15 years or so have started to delaminate.

I ASSUME the material beneath is MDF?

We've pulled a little more off, but it has taken some MDF with it.

Are they saveable? Is it a question of sanding down and priming before painting?

Assume a heat gun would help to remove the rest?

Thanks!

john

[Cow Corner 2.0]

It would not be worth the effort of trying to save those.

All the prep required to paint would cost more that just replacing the doors (and would likely still look rubbish)

[Vsix and Vtec]

If you opt to sand it down, do so only with a mask on, the dust is really bad for you. The plastic is likely only bonded to it with glue, so steam would strip it but be mindful of the MDF swelling with exposure to moisture. I'd probably not bother myself and just replace the door.

[RotorRambler]

Maybe the doors can be vinyl wrapped?
Google gives examples etc

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

Cow Corner 2.0 said:

It would not be worth the effort of trying to save those.

All the prep required to paint would cost more that just replacing the doors (and would likely still look rubbish)

This. Can you not just buy new doors and draw fronts from somewhere?

[JohnnyUK]

Sound advice - thanks all!!

[JohnnyUK]

OP here with another question:

As mentioned, our kitchen doors are delaminating, so we're now beginning the journey to find replacement doors. Due to this happening my wife is now very worried that it will happen again especially as most replacement door companies only have a warranty of 5 years on new MDF doors and the same with real wood.

She is floating the idea that if we went real wood and one of the new wood doors warped, instead of needing a complete new kitchen door replacement like this time, we could just replace the door and worse case rub down the doors and go a different colour.

What are people’s thoughts and experiences with wood kitchen doors v laminated MDF?

Thanks!

[clockworks]

Buy a new set of doors and drawer fronts, and get a few spares at the same time.
Keep the spares boxed up, tucked away somewhere relatively warm and dry.

There must be a reason why they have failed, either damp, heat, or mechanical abrasion. With a few spares, you can just replace the ones that fail.
The only doors that I've ever seen fail have been from excessive heat ( in areas exposed to direct sunlight), or a couple that have got wet repeatedly.

[JohnnyUK]

clockworks said:

Buy a new set of doors and drawer fronts, and get a few spares at the same time.
Keep the spares boxed up, tucked away somewhere relatively warm and dry.

There must be a reason why they have failed, either damp, heat, or mechanical abrasion. With a few spares, you can just replace the ones that fail.
The only doors that I've ever seen fail have been from excessive heat ( in areas exposed to direct sunlight), or a couple that have got wet repeatedly.

Thanks - our issue is that all the doors and drawer fronts 'blew' within the same period of about 12 months.

[Simpo Two]

I have units from MFI in 2008 and they're all fine.

[Jeremy-75qq8]

I was about to post the same - mid in a flat that is Tenanted

Re painting mdf it is difficult as it needs sealing first and then making flat. It absorbs paint as fast as you can apply it

[RGG]

It would be quicker, easier and cheaper to measure up the doors, go to B&Q and get 18mm blanks cut to size.

Yours "renovated" "brought back from the ashes" would both benefit from a coat of Zinsser Bin, but frankly unless the doors are the kitchen equivalent of a Ferrari 250 GTO there's only one place for them to go.

[Huzzah]

You can buy painted and unpainted doors, online or try your local independent kitchen place.

Easy to touch up, refresh or do a complete colour change if desired.

[MOMACC]

Had our cream doors and sideboards wrapped.
£1750 inc utility room
Saved us a chunk of cash on a new kitchen

[_DJ_]

How many do you need? We have just removed the same kitchen. Most is skipped but have a few left....

[vindaloo79]

MOMACC said:

Had our cream doors and sideboards wrapped.
£1750 inc utility room
Saved us a chunk of cash on a new kitchen

That looks good, any idea where they got the laminate material from or what brand it is. I may have a go at doing ours.

[curvature]

The units above have had a vinyl wrap, it isn’t laminate.

Going by your original picture it will be more cost effective to replace the doors.

You won’t be able to wrap your doors unless the facing material is intact as any missing sections will show through.

[curvature]

The units above have had a vinyl wrap, it isn’t laminate.

Going by your original picture it will be more cost effective to replace the doors.

You won’t be able to wrap your doors unless the facing material is intact as any missing sections will show through.

[MOMACC]

vindaloo79 said:

MOMACC said:

That looks good, any idea where they got the laminate material from or what brand it is. I may have a go at doing ours.

https://sussexwrapsupplies.co.uk/vinyl-wrap-store/j18/

[reggie747]

As said above, they're beyond saving and painting.
New doors are the way forward.