Next up, lightly sand or ‘key’ the surfaces to help the paint grip. It’s advisable to use a fine grit paper – 150-250 grit, and lightly sand to create an even, matt surface. One of the best yet one of the cheapest – this is ideal for those working on a budget who still want a quality finish. A huge chunk of the job is the preparation. First, remove all the drawers and handles on the cabinets, so you don’t splatter paint all over them. If that’s not an option, use masking tape to cover them. Although it might look like your cabinets are ready to meet the paint roller, it’s worth cleaning them thoroughly. Available in 11 colours, The One Paint is a non-toxic, water-based paint suitable for multiple surfaces including woods and laminates. It even claims to complete the task without the need for a primer, making it the ideal choice for the time-poor. However, we’d still suggest using one if you have time. The finish you choose is very much a matter of personal taste with gloss, eggshell, satin and matt the common choices.

Eggshell and matt finishes are typically harder to maintain and clean but are easy to recoat. Satin and gloss finishes are easier to wipe clean and keep their appearance for longer. But high gloss finishes are not for everyone. A good compromise is a satin finish. It’s not high gloss, but it's easier to clean than eggshell and matt. Most kitchen cabinet or cupboard paints are water-based and these are easier to apply and clean up than oil-based paints. But oil-based paints typically have a stronger finish and are less likely to chip. However, in everyday use, there isn’t much difference between the two. You might get away with a single coat of oil-based paint, but in reality, whatever paint you choose two coats are always better. Matt or chalk paint finishes can create a more rustic feel that may work well in a country cottage kitchen, although a matt finish is generally harder to wipe down and less durable to chipping, so it can be a difficult choice to maintain in a high traffic kitchen. Matt paints are often water-based though, so you're more likely to find an eco-friendly and low VOC option.If you’re after an instant update for your melamine or MDF kitchen cabinets, the Ronseal One Coat Cupboard & Melamine Paint is ideal. This paint is specifically formulated for melamine cupboards, and easy to apply with a brush in just one coat. But if you are painting over a strong colour with a lighter hue, you may need two coats to achieve that smooth finish. Add a dash of sophistication to your kitchen with Rust-Oleum Kitchen Cupboard Paint, for a soft matt finish that’s as stylish as it is durable. The spray can is incredibly easy to use, it’s a case of simply shaking vigorously before and during application. The nozzle is focused which means you can get a precise finish and doesn’t clog which is a common problem with some spray paints. If you went with something different, just be aware of the clogging issue. This frequently results in spurts of the paint coming out and gives you an uneven coverage. Refresh your kitchen with Rust-Oleum Kitchen Cupboard Paint, easily applied to melamine, wood and gloss cupboards for a beautiful matt finish A low odour paint with hundreds of colours to choose from, it is touch dry within an hour, re-coatable in around six hours and hardens to a strong durable finish in less than 24 hours.

Also remember to place a dust sheet on the floor or an even layer of newspaper. Make sure you have all the tools too – a roller, a tray and a few paintbrushes of varying sizes. You should make sure you’re wearing clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, too. Tough against everyday wipe downs, upcycle wood and gloss cupboards with a cabinet paint that’s both kind to the environment and easy to apply. Drying Time: Touch dry in 1 hour. Hard dry in 4 hours. May be overcoated after 4 hours. Full cure achieved after 7 days - take extra care surface afterwards with water. If wax or oil has previously been usedon the item, clean the surface thoroughly with white spirit. If paintingover a hard or glossy or previously painted surface abrade the surfacebefore application. Now you’re all set to get out the paint and give your kitchen cupboards a makeover! Do I need a primer to paint kitchen cupboards?

Lovely colour, goes on well, wears well. Been on 18mths and only a couple of scratches. Bought some sample sachets as repair kit. Chalk paint might be seen by some as a fad but we can vouch for its quality. If you want to try something a bit different, try this one. Application: Stir thoroughly before use. The product may be appliedby brush or roller. If applying by brush, apply evenly, following the grain Rust-Oleum Kitchen Cupboard Paint is made in the UK and offers exceptional coverage without compromise, available in a 750ml tin

Rust Oleum’s Painter’s Touch is a 400ml spray paint that can be applied to interior surfaces such as wood and metal and can be used on a variety of objects such as kitchen cabinets as well as other pieces of furniture. The answer that nobody wants is yes, probably! Primers create a base coat for the paint and will help to prevent blemishes or knots in the wood from showing through and make paint more resistant to chipping off. Many specialist cupboard paints are self-priming and suitable for use directly on wood, melamine and acrylic cabinets, but if you want the best possible results, it will probably still pay off to use a primer first.

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This is the most durable specific kitchen cupboard paint on the market but does take awhile to dry. If you’re OK with that, this might be the paint for you. Our runner up for the best kitchen cupboard paint is Ronseal’s Cupboard and Melamine paint. Whilst not quite up to the standard of Johnstone’s, this paint trades high quality for a little bit more convenience, requiring just one coat for most cupboards. Designed especially for kitchens, it’s washable, making it easy to wipe away splashes or splatters over time and delivers a smooth coverage in just one or two coats. But best of all, is the fact there's no need to compromise on your creative vision with those 110 colour options to choose from.

The paint is water based which means you won’t need to put up with any strong odours, making it convenient to use in your kitchen without having to take all the doors off for exterior application. Of course, make sure your kitchen is well ventilated before, during and after painting. Whilst not a specific kitchen cupboard paint, the Diamond Satinwood is suitable for application across a variety of surfaces including wood, MDF and even metals. This makes it the perfect choice for kitchen cabinets whilst you’re free to use the leftovers on any other projects you have lined up. Get Prices for a Professional Decorator Near You Best Kitchen Cabinet Paint Overall: Johnstone’s Cupboard PaintWhile branded as a furniture paint, Rust Oleum’s chalk paint is suitable for use on a variety of interior surfaces including melamine and MDF. This means that anything from old kitchen cabinets to yellowing stone fireplaces can all be revived and refreshed using this paint. Watching paint dry is nobody’s idea of fun, but painting your own cupboards costs far less than paying a professional and you can still get excellent results, if you choose the right paint. On top of that, you’ll have the satisfaction of basking in a kitchen that would have Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen nodding his head in approval. The paint itself is top quality – hard wearing, ultra-low VOC and leaves a flawless, professional-looking finish. It’s available in a matte or semi-matte finish and in an almost infinite colour range. While it looks a little pricey at first, this is probably one of the most affordable ways to refresh your kitchen without compromising on quality, providing you don’t already have all the equipment. The creamy, satin paint is solvent based and is very easy to apply and easy to achieve a smooth finish when brushed vertically. Being solvent based does mean that you’ll need to take the relevant safety measures as it has a high VOC content and odour. It’s specifically formulated to give a tough, smooth satin finish for melamine, interior wood, MDF cupboards, which makes it a good choice to touch up your kitchen cabinets and drawers, and it's also available in a chalk finish option.