KITCHEN CABINET PAINTING TIPS - Give your kitchen a new look in Frenchic style!
Painting kitchen cabinets is always a good option for the environmentally conscious consumer.
Painting can make a big difference and at the same time saves you time and nerves from the hassle of often long and expensive renovations.
Painting is an easy way to inexpensively renew the look of your entire kitchen, giving your old kitchen extra life and refreshing yellowed or dark surfaces at home or at the cottage.
Read these tips to the end and see 'before and after' photos of kitchen renovation projects.
Often the frames of old kitchens are in perfect condition - it's just that the doors are yellowed or otherwise look a bit like they're from another era!
The kitchen can also be painted with the doors in place. The non-draining Frenchic is pleasant to paint. The color in the pictures is Olivia, from the Al Fresco series.
Do it yourself and save - You don't always have to buy new
Just by painting the doors and choosing a new shade, you can easily bring an old kitchen back to the present day.
The high-yielding Frenchic is your choice! 2-3 x 750ml of Frenchic paint is enough to paint a standard kitchen cabinet - compare the price of a can of paint to new doors.
The kitchen is painted in the Smudge shade, from the Al Fresco series.
Painting kitchens yourself is more common than you might think!
The Frenchic series of paints has become extremely popular in England, and the kitchen painting boom is happening precisely because of the innovative properties of the Frenchic series of paints.
Our customers are delighted with the matte finish of the Frenchic shades and the even and durable finish.
Read here also our customers' experiences and feedback about the Frenchic series.
Image: Cabinet doors in Smudge shade and space tiles in Dazzle Me! shade
Is your kitchen so old and worn that you think painting is not an option?
You might be surprised when you check out our customers' various Frenchic projects: you'll probably find examples of a kitchen exactly like yours in our customers' photos in our FB group!
You can compare images and options, plan the use of shades. What if you dare to try powder green, blue or pink! What would a super trendy two-tone kitchen look like?
The matte shades of the Frenchic series are soft interior shades that fit beautifully into a variety of homes.
The kitchen cabinet doors in the picture are painted in the pastel Little Duckle shade, from the Al Fresco series.
From our customers' photos on FB pages, it's easy to compare what the end result will be if you only paint the doors and leave the frames unpainted.
The painting style can be painting the doors in place or removed, or painting the doors only from the outside - there are also useful photo series for these.
You're sure to find a kitchen in the group that's similar to yours!
In the group you will find hundreds of photos and photo series from our customers, as well as photos of kitchen transformations, so the Frenchic group is a great place to start planning.
Image: before and after. Shade: Wise Old Sage , Al Fresco
Book a time for a kitchen painting project
When painting at home yourself, you can take your own pace and even paint just one door at a time!
Weekend painting sessions with friends are a quick way to get everything done at once. Choose a style and method that suits you.
Also allow time for the paint to dry according to the instructions.
You can paint wood or MDF surfaces
You can paint many types of surfaces: wooden doors, pressed panels or MDF foil doors. Learn more about painting laminate surfaces here.
Sometimes the plastic film on the doors is already peeling and removing it before painting can be a good option. Films can be removed using heat, often just a hairdryer.
Tip!
If you end up removing the plastic film from furniture or kitchen cabinets, you will save yourself the hassle of sanding and washing the surfaces. However, do not sand or wash (washing lifts the MDF fibers) the exposed MDF surface without proper protection. Harmful substances will be released from clean MDF.
Treat the bare board surface with Finishing Coat before painting, which will seal the porous board and save on paint.
No matter what kind of surface you are painting, the preparations are always the same:
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Thorough cleaning of surfaces to remove kitchen grease and dust
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Repairs and packaging if, for example, you replace the handles with new ones
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Surface roughening. (do not sand bare MDF)
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Painting, at least twice, depending on the shade differences and the chosen color
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48h drying, use with caution during the three-week curing period
Practice on a miniature scale first
If you have not painted with the Frenchic series before, do a test painting first - you can, for example, get an old small cabinet or bedside table with a door and a drawer, in miniature, like the one in your kitchen.
Prepare the test piece as you would your kitchen: wash and roughen. Try different brushes and rollers, different painting techniques.
In this little project, you can easily see the final result of the surface using the painting tools you choose.
Photo: Dusky Blush & City Slicker, Al Fresco
Pictured: Cabinet doors Swankypants, Al Fresco, interstitial tiles Dazzle Me!
Start by choosing a shade for your kitchen and test it out in the comfort of your own home.
Choose a Frenchic paint shade or a few of your favorites and paint a test on a cabinet door, a detached door, or some inconspicuous spot.
This way you immediately get a good idea of the paint's coverage and can also assess the paint's consumption.
You can also examine the shades you choose in the light and shade of your own home - and thus ensure the color is correct.
Did you know that the tone/color looks different on a vertical surface than on a horizontal surface?
On this page you will find everything, over 100 ready-made shades, conveniently together!
The kitchen in the picture is painted in Cool Beans, a shade from the Al Fresco series.
A standard kitchen painting without large differences in tone is completed in 2-3 coats.
Many things affect the amount of paint used: the color difference between the surface to be painted and the selected shade, the painting tools and painting technique used, unmixed paint, and layers that are too thin.
So follow the instructions to get the best results.
If there is a large difference in tone between the surface to be painted and the selected paint, or if you want to paint a reddish wooden surface white, you may need more coats than usual. Especially when painting from white to black or vice versa.
It is recommended to paint an orange, yellowish, red or similar surface with a gray tone before applying the final surface color.
The nature of colors changes depending on the lighting and the adjacent color. The color also repeats differently on horizontal or vertical surfaces. That's why it's worth testing at home!
Thinning the paint also has a negative effect on coverage, the number of layers, and durability.
Make sure you reserve enough paint to complete the project.
Standard industry advice is that if you need more than one can of paint, make sure they are from the same batch number or, if that is not possible, mix the paint batches before painting to ensure a consistent finish.
It is worth assessing the correctness of the shade only after it has dried and after two coats.
Yellowed white becomes beautiful again with the Olivia shade.
From dark to white or vice versa
Tip!
Paint the first layer with a gray shade if your new shade is very different from the base shade. The gray shade will counteract the redness or dark tone and you can get by with fewer layers of white, for example.
You can choose a medium gray shade, for example, from the Al Fresco series, City Slicker or Swankypants .
When choosing a shade, it's worth looking at the posts in the Frenchic series' own FB group , where you'll probably find pictures of kitchens already painted in the shade you're considering.
In the group search field, search for the shade name or see all tagged posts with the title: kitchen .
You can read more about colors and color selection here.
Start your painting project by cleaning the surfaces
Wash and scrub the surfaces to be painted thoroughly to remove all kitchen grease, dirt and dust. This is the most important step, so cleaning should be done carefully.
Clean everything REALLY well! Kitchen surfaces can be especially oily and greasy no matter how clean you keep your kitchen. Clean and clean again!
Sugar Soap is a detergent developed for this purpose - paint cleaning, but no matter what detergent you use, rinse the surfaces with clean water and finally dry the surfaces.
You don't want to skimp on this washing step, it will pay off later, when your project is already well underway. No paint will last long on a dirty and greasy surface.
Look at the clean surface - do you want to fill in any holes or scratches? Do you want to replace the handles with new ones? Remove the knobs and handles. Then fill in the old handle attachment points.
Roughen the surface and start painting
Wipe off the sanding dust from the cabinet surfaces and start painting. Set aside time for the project or do it in small sections according to your own schedule, one door at a time.
You can remove the doors, which may speed up the painting process, or paint the doors in place.
However, tape off hinges and other areas you don't want to paint before painting. Use high-quality tape for demarcation.
Image: The oval brushes from the Frenchic series are well suited for painting cabinet doors.
Paint a test - try and test the tools first
If your cabinet doors have grooves or decorative mirrors, you'll need good brushes: both a narrow and a wide brush. A narrow roller is also a quick and good tool to use with brushes.
Try out the tools before starting a larger project, and you will discover which painting tool suits you best.
With high-quality, clean and intact tools, painting goes quickly and the result is beautiful. The oval brushes of the Frenchic series are hand-made specifically for chalk paint.
You can paint the doors with a small sprayer or a brush - a roller and brush are a good combination.
Take care of your brushes during a painting project and always wash them thoroughly with warm water after each painting job. Dry brushes horizontally or with the bristles facing down.
Clean brushes create beautiful paint results. Read more about choosing a brush here.
Don't overwork a damp paint surface - Let the coat dry, even if it hasn't become perfect and opaque - the next coat will fix the situation. But always paint the next coat only on a completely dry surface. Even if you want to touch up some spots, be patient and let the coat dry first.
If you accidentally repaint a fresh coat of paint, it may roll unevenly. Even then, let the coat dry, sand the surface smooth - wipe off the dust and continue painting.
Photo: Dusky Blush, Al Fresco
Let the paint dry in peace.
Adhering to drying times is important and affects the durability of the paint surface and the paint consumption.
Read the instructions on the side of the paint can before you start and follow the painting instructions and drying times, including between coats of paint.
Finally, let the painted surfaces dry for 48 hours before using them carefully and remember that the protective properties in the paint will harden for another three weeks after the paint has dried. Until then, take extra care of the surfaces.
You can therefore use the kitchen with caution after 48 hours. When the paint has reached its final hardness after about three weeks, the surface will be very durable.
Image tone: Dazzle Me! and Smudge, Al Fresco
Frenchic paints level out beautifully
Frenchic paints have a special 'Self Levelling' feature, the paint surface levels out beautifully within the drying time of the coat. Read more here.
If you want the paint surface to be finished and smooth, apply the last coat lightly with a roller or a soft brush lightly dipped in water. With high-quality paints and clean tools, the end result is beautiful. Always let the paint layers dry completely before applying the next one - take your time with your painting project.
You may need a few coats, especially if there is a big difference in tone between the base color and the chosen paint. Experiment with techniques and tools first and then choose which tools and style will give you the desired result.
The amount of paint used and its coverage are significantly affected by the difference in tone, careful mixing of the paint before and during the project - and compliance with drying times between layers.
The kitchen cabinets in the picture are in the off-white Ol' Blue Eyes, from the Al Fresco series.
When painting with Al Fresco, the drying time between coats is two hours and with Lazy Range, at least one hour.
Frenchic series kits suitable for painting kitchen cabinets
- Lazy Range waxy lime paint - matte finish, no other protection required
- Al Fresco Moisture-resistant lime paint - matte finish, no other protection required
- Trim Paint, satin matte, durable trim and door paint - satin gloss, no other protection required, only in 500ml can size
If you choose a paint from these three series to paint your kitchen cabinets, you will not need any other protection, such as wax or varnish, on top of the paint. The paint surface will be durable as is.
A new, fresh shade for the kitchen walls
Washable and durable Frenchic wall paint is suitable for the kitchen. Read more here.
The kitchen wall in the picture is painted in the blue-gray Gentlemen's Club shade.
Extra protection for hard-wearing surfaces - kitchen countertops
When considering the need for additional protection for painted surfaces, it's worth being realistic.
You know best what kind of consumption your kitchen has.
High wear and tear doesn't mean you can't paint the furniture.
In general, all paint surfaces have poor resistance to strong detergents, disinfectants, abrasive cleaning agents, pet claws, and mechanical scratching or scuffing.
Painting kitchen countertops and kitchen table tops
We do not recommend painting kitchen countertops. However, our customers have also painted kitchen countertops and kitchen table tops. Some projects are successful, others are not.
Before deciding on painting, consider how countertops are used and cleaned in your family.
The paint surface cannot withstand, for example, cutting on the surface or hot dishes.
For painted surfaces and kitchen countertops , Tuff Top Coat is recommended according to the instructions .
The Frenchic series has two different finishes, both of which are perfect for finishing kitchen cabinets, providing a moisture-resistant and wear-resistant surface, either matte or glossy.
If you decide to add a matte coating on top of the paint , for example, wait at least a couple of days, at least 48 hours, for the paint to start drying.
Applying the coating is easy and quick - you can do it just on the base cabinets, for example.
Read the working instructions in the product data sheet of the coating you have chosen and follow the drying times and number of layers.
Both finishes are solvent-free, easy to apply and dry quickly.
Finishing Coat - Glossy coating
You can add a few coats of Finishing Coat to the painted surface if you want more shine. Finishing Coat is best applied with a sponge.
Tuff Top Coat - Matte coating
The new ' Tuff Top Coat ' is a matte finish that is resistant to some heat and is suitable for providing additional protection to heavily used painted kitchen worktops, kitchen countertops, floors and kitchen cabinets.
If you love our matte paints but want extra protection and wear resistance, use TTCs and you won't have to compromise on a great matte finish!
The Frenchic Paint series paints have a matte finish - durable and washable.
Only Trim Paint has a beautiful, matte satin sheen. Trim Paint is an excellent choice for kitchen cabinets.
The kitchen in the picture is painted in the blue-gray Gentlemen's Club shade, from the Trim Paint series.
Take good care of your painted furniture and kitchen cabinet doors and only wipe them with mild detergents. Avoid harsh detergents, steam cleaning, and abrasive sponges or brushes when cleaning stains.
Read more about caring for painted surfaces here.
No wax for the kitchen
We do not recommend self-applying wax for kitchen cabinets or bar tops because the wax wears off and dissolves in alcohol and solvent-based cleaners.
We recommend Finishing Coat layers instead of wax for surfaces subject to heavy wear and splash water, or if you want a gloss finish on a matte finish.
Frenchic Paint Original series paints are not recommended for kitchen countertops as is, without a Tuff Top Coat coating.
Supplies for painting kitchen cabinets
Choosing and using paint for painting kitchen cabinets
The amount of paint used depends on many factors, but 2 x 750ml is often enough for even a large kitchen, regardless of the series.
Get a small 250ml jar for testing.
If you are painting a dark surface white or vice versa, you may need more paint than usual due to the large difference in tone. In that case, reserve one gray shade for the first coat.
The following factors affect the consumption: careful mixing of the paint, compliance with the drying interval between layers, the difference in tone between the base and the selected tone, painting tools and painting technique.
Consider painting the inside of the doors and frames as well. What about the sides and moldings of the cabinets?
When spray painting, the paint consumption is higher than normal.
Test before a larger project
We recommend a test painting to get comfortable with the paint and tools before a larger project .
Paintbrushes, masking tape and detergent.
Means:
You can do the painting with a brush or a roller - often both are a good purchase.
Detergent:
You will also need an effective, degreasing detergent, such as Sugar Soap , and a sanding sponge if you are roughening the surfaces by hand.
Border tape:
High-quality tape if your cabinets have glass doors and you want to outline the edges or moldings.
If you don't change the handles , you don't need anything else!
Frenchic paint coverage:
Al Fresco, Trim Paint and Lazy Range paints have a coverage of approximately 12m2/750ml.
Chalk Wall Paint's 36m2 / 2.5L.
All paints in the Frenchic series are also suitable for spray painting kitchen cabinets.
However, take a look at our customers' wonderful photos of completed kitchen cabinet painting projects to get some great ideas for your own!
Plan your project's implementation schedule and quiet drying time.
Invite friends to join you in painting activities - it's fun to do it together!
Image tone: Duckling, Al Fresco
You can find photos of our customers' kitchen transformations and various color combinations in the Frenchic Paint Finland FB group.
Watch this painting video with Finnish subtitles on how to paint kitchen cabinet doors with a brush or sprayer!
