On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 17:25:48 -0000, "Bob C"
wrote:

I'm considering repainting my rather dark kitchen unit doors to brighten
up
my kitchen.

Bob, be carefull. The existing surface material must be removed fully
and make sure you dry the doors properly before painting. You will
need the correct wood primer to bond with the material too. The paint
should also be able to resist water splashed onto it.

Are you sure you can't treat the wood you have - It seems a shame to
paint over that natural wood ?

Hi Andy,

Thanks very much for the words of caution. If you're right that I have to
take the doors back to bare wood, then I would hesitate at this stage to
move forwards - the original idea was that this was a relatively simple job
which could be done mostly by myself and on a budget. Adding something like
what you're suggesting causes me to wonder whether it's worth doing at all.

The doors themselves are, from what I can see, solid wood, dark varnished
fairly heavily and, as there are units both above and below the worktops,
the overall effect is of a very dark kitchen. I had originally thought that
a freshly painted ceiling and units, a new light and new floor tiles would
have the effect of a fairly significant makeover.

Hmm.


Hi,

If they can be stripped thoroughly then a limewash effect paint or
stain might be worth considering, Sadolin may do something in that
line.

For painting over a dark varnish a neutral undercoat before the
topcoat should work, the manufacturer of the paint you choose will be
able to advise.

Would be well worth experimenting on some similar scrap wood before
doing the real thing, might even be worth getting them sprayed with
the right gear or paying someone to do it.

cheers,
Pete.