Kitchen is an aggressive environment. Constant exposure to steam, heat, soot, humidity negatively affects furniture in the first place. Fittings and surfaces wear out, scratches and chips appear, protective films peel off. But even if the furniture is in excellent functional condition, over time, its appearance can get boring. However, do not rush to get rid of it, because it is not as difficult to restore a kitchen set with your own hands as it seems at first glance. In this material, we will tell you how to make minor repairs to the surface of facades and how to change their design and color at minimal cost.
Repair of kitchen facades
During operation, small and large scratches and chips appear on the kitchen facades. They are easy to disguise without completely changing the headset. For minor defects, you can use wax crayon to match the facade. If damagelarge, for example, at the place where the fittings are attached, wood putty will be needed. The defect is carefully covered, and after complete drying, sanded with fine-grained sandpaper. After the surface is painted over to match the headset. Such a repair will not be too striking. Of course, this method is suitable for eliminating defects on a wooden surface, MDF, chipboard or veneer. Severe damage to the PVC film can be repaired by replacing the topcoat, while acrylic and enamel fronts will need to be replaced.
A vinyl film that has peeled off the facade can be returned to its previous state using Moment glue. It is recommended to remove facades before repair. Glue is drawn into a syringe and the voids between the film and the base are carefully filled. You need to work quickly, as the substance sets quickly. It is important that the adhesive does not get on the front surface of the film, it will be impossible to remove it. Next, the glued facade is placed under the press for a day for a strong and even fixation. In a similar way, you can restore the veneered doors of the kitchen set. The main thing is that the veneer should not be deformed or have cracks.
Tinting and varnishing
Facades made of natural wood are a very durable decorative element. However, if they do not fit into the updated interior of the kitchen or the lacquer is cracked, they can be re-tinted and varnished.
At the preparatory stage, the doors are removed from the hinges and the fittings are removed. Old varnish is removed with sandpaper. Next, cover up largedefects, if any, with putty on wood. It is necessary to leave the work until the putty is completely dry. After the surface is polished. Now she is ready to apply the tone. It is important that each layer of tinting dry well. Next, the surface is primed in 1-2 layers, allowed to dry well and proceed to varnishing. Work should be done in a well-ventilated area, as the substance has a strong odor. Facades are varnished in 1-2 layers, allowing each to dry for a day.
Updated kitchen doors are ready! It remains to return the fittings to their place and hang them on the hinges.
Painting kitchen fronts
If you want to change the look of your kitchen unit, you can paint it. It is easiest to work with wooden and veneered surfaces, but film and MDF facades can also be successfully restored if the technology is followed.
If you decide to update the kitchen in this way, the first question that arises is how to paint the kitchen facades. Oil and water-based formulations are not suitable for such work. Restoration specialists recommend using car sprays, while designers recommend using chalk paint.
Aerosols are easy to apply, lay down in a thin and even layer, have a wide range of colors. However, film, acrylic and MDF surfaces cannot be painted with them. The coating will quickly crack and peel off.
It is better to take chalk paint for painting kitchen facades. She isdiffers in the increased density thanks to what allows to imitate wood drawing or any other invoice. In addition, the paint has enhanced adhesive properties, which makes it possible to use it on a variety of surfaces, including for painting MDF kitchen fronts.
You can update the design with the help of moldings, this element allows you to make a kitchen in a classic style from the most ordinary headset, which will fit perfectly into the interior. You can add painted facades with painting or decoupage. For painting, you can use stencils, and we will talk about the decoupage technique below. Artificially aged furniture looks very stylish and original. You can achieve this look with the help of varnishes and paints with the effect of "craquelure".
Materials and tools
Before you start painting kitchen facades, you need to stock up on the following materials and tools:
1. Screwdriver. Useful for unscrewing hardware and removing doors from hinges.
2. Protective film and masking tape. The film will be needed to cover the work surface and the floor, and with tape you need to seal the elements that will not be painted, such as glass inserts.
3. Gloves.
4. Sandpaper. It is better to stock up on two types: medium-grained and fine.
5. Primer. There are special compositions for the subsequent painting of the surface with chalk paints, but alkyd is also suitable. The latter is mandatory for use if the facadeswere covered with oil stain.
6. Degreaser. Has a strong odor, so work in a well-ventilated area.
7. Chalk paint. Thick consistency increases its consumption. You should also purchase paint with a small margin. If it is not enough, then you will have to finish the surfaces with a composition from another batch, and its tone may differ slightly.
8. Brushes. Suitable for both synthetic and natural. Prepare one each for paint, primer, and varnish.
9. Varnish. The final coating will protect the surface from wear and extend the life of the facades. Designers recommend using a matte polyurethane or acrylic varnish to work with chalk paint. The first well withstands temperature extremes and mechanical stress, and the second does not have a too pungent odor.
How to make chalk paint
Chalk paint for MDF kitchen fronts is the best choice. It adheres very well to glass, film, laminated surfaces. The composition dries quickly and does not have a strong odor. Paint can be purchased at hardware stores or made independently. There are many recipes for homemade chalk paint, based on reviews, we chose the option that is most suitable for painting kitchen facades.
To prepare the composition, you will need good quality white acrylic paint, finely ground gypsum putty, water and toner. Putty is diluted with water to the consistency of thick sour cream. The more water you add, the morepaint will be liquid. If you want to make the surface textured, then the mixture should be thick. Next, you need to mix the diluted putty with acrylic paint in a ratio of 1 to 3. The mixture is thoroughly mixed and color is added to obtain the desired shade.
So, the paint for MDF kitchen facades is ready. You can get to work.
Surface preparation
Before painting, the surface and the workplace must be prepared. The facades are removed from the hinges and all fittings are unscrewed. The floor, countertop, apron, glass inserts are covered with a film and fixed with masking tape so that paint and varnish do not spoil them.
Next, they begin to prepare the surface of the facades. Old varnish is removed with sandpaper, glossy facades are rubbed a little for better paint adhesion. Surfaces are degreased and a primer is applied in 1-2 layers. If you want to get a perfectly smooth and durable surface, you should sand the facades after each coat of primer and paint.
Instructions
Now you can start painting the kitchen facades. Usually 2-3 coats of paint are enough, but if you are painting a dark surface with a light compound, 5-6 may be needed. Chalk paint dries very quickly, in 30-40 minutes. However, before applying the varnish, it is necessary to withstand it for a day so that it is well fixed on the surface. Completely dry paint becomes very durable and cannot even be sanded.
At the final stage, the surface is varnishedin 2-3 thin layers. Each layer needs to dry for a day.
Painting of MDF facades is completed. Now you can hang them on the hinges of the headset, put the fittings back in place and begin to be proud of your craftsmanship.
Self-adhesive film
If painting MDF surfaces seems too complicated and painstaking for you, you can use self-adhesive vinyl to update your kitchen unit. It is very easy to work with her. The surface must be thoroughly washed and degreased. A sheet of film is cut to fit the door with a margin of 2-3 cm for pasting the ends. The top is separated from the paper backing and applied to the surface of the facade. The coating is leveled and, gradually separating the paper, the entire canvas is glued. The corners of the film are cut diagonally and folded over, pasting the ends. If bubbles remain on the surface, they can be pierced with a thin needle and the air released. Holes for fittings are made with an awl.
Repair of kitchen facades with PVC film completed. This method is one of the fastest and cheapest.
Decoupage
You can decorate a bored kitchen using decoupage technique. Such decor would be appropriate in the style of Provence and shabby chic. For work you will need:
- patterned napkins;
- PVA glue;
- brushes;
- varnish.
The surface is washed and degreased. The drawing is cut out of a napkin, impregnated with glue and fixed on the facade. Carefully smooth with a brush. After complete drying, the surface is varnished.
Conclusion
Updatekitchen facades - the process is laborious, but creative. The main thing in this matter is to choose the right method and materials depending on the type of surface. The most common methods of restoration are painting, pasting with PVC film and decorating using decoupage technique.
