What is the best product that is very durable to up-cycle my 1980 Formica/oak custom kitchen cabinets? The cabinet interior/exterior is in excellent shape. The doors need something. I am open to all suggestions. I am willing to change the color, the handles etc., etc., etc., but I do need to keep the cabinets because they are custom and built for the kitchen.
What is the best way to up-cycle my 1980, Formica/oak custom cabinets?
by
Mis5593747
+10
I would put new doors on that match the trim. Then a marble counter top. Just an
idea.
White chalk paint for the cabinets, funky knobs that add a pop of color. Butcher block counter tops? I bought my counter tops at Ikea for cheap.
that was another idea I had, but is there a special chalk paint for Formica/cabinets?
I like them. They have a Scandinavian look. Butcher block top would look nice. I'd look at the same Scandinavian style for a couple of accessories or a piece of art. Would clean off the top of the cabinets and maybe have some artificial greenery.
Yep! 1980's European style cabinets. They were the craze. Laminate over cheap particle board. Came in white and almond that yellowed over time. When I was a home builder I installed tons of them. Requested by the home buyers. I DON'T KNOW WHY! You can paint them and put on some nice modern door hardware.
Remove the doors and hardware. Mark the doors and cabinets with tape where they go. Lightly sand the doors and cabinets to remove any gloss and roughen the surface for paint. Prime with a stain blocking primer like Zinsser 123. Then paint with your color. Seal with at least three coats with a water based polyurethane. Use a small foam roller and foam brush for a smooth finish.
Thank you 😊, the answer I was hoping to get! Now I know where to start!
Two years ago, I put two coats of primer, two coats of paint, and two coats of polyurethane on my oak and formica cupboards. I sanded between every coat. It was a lot of work, but I don't want to do this again for twenty years. So I did it right, and they are holding up to the very rough banging around that happens in kitchens. Put on new handles, while you're at it. My cupboards were in good shape, so it would have been silly and expensive to replace them. They are gorgeous now, and they'll look good for many more years.
Unfortunately have the same cabinets. Sure you may paint them, ours have been painted about 6 times over the years and stenciled once( just primed and painted, no sanding before or sealing after) but they were still the same boring plain Jane. Last year had trim added to sides to match top and bottom and beadboard paneling added to middle, then painted. Added handles for first time and no more plain Jane! Man are these cabinets heavy!