Painting Kitchen Cupboard doors?

[conny]

Is it possible to spray paint the doors of kitchen cupboards?

They are like a melamine surface with a dimpled texture, a bit like 'orange peel'. They are Polar white, or rather were originally, but have yellowed over time. We want to try and bring them back to a high finish white again so if possible what would the procedures be? i.e. Should I rub them down lightly with glass paper to key the surface or just wash them with sugar soap and dry off. What, if any, primer/basecoat should I use?

Any help/tips would be much appreciated.

 

[Nige F]

sugar soap and then a special primer for melamine have you got a proper spray kit

 

[conny]

Hi Nige,
thanks for the reply. Where would be the best place to get the primer? One of the sheds or a proper decorating centre? Not got a proper spray kit was thinking I may be able to use cans from somewhere like B&Q, Homebase etc
Not a good idea?

 

[dextrous]

Are you thinking along the lines of "plasticoat"?

 

[conny]

Thats something like what they are made of at the moment.
Is that a problem?

 

[Nige F]

All from the sheds I think plasticoat may be OK . having a textured finish already will make spaying with cans easier

 

[dextrous]

Thats something like what they are made of at the moment.
Is that a problem?

No - may prove expensive though. Made my own cupboard and drawer fronts for my kid's playroom using mdf and plasticoat several years ago. Bit of a labour of love, but looked good in the end. Used about two to three times the amount of the stuff than I originally estimated though.

Providing you can get it to adhere properly (and for long enough - kitchen's have moist air at times), should be fine.

 

[conny]

Thanks for the replies lads.
Now know where I'll be traipsing around tomorrow!

Once again, thanks, will let you know if we go ahead with the project.

 

[conny]

After much deliberation and gentle reasoning the wife has agreed, washing the doors with a strong solution of sugar soap has worked wonders.
Thanks lads, saved me a fortune in paint and much ear ache over what would probably been a crap finish.