I currently have white thermofoil kitchen cabinets

by Amy Harmon Kowalski

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I really would like to update my kitchen to start getting the house ready for resale, but have a very small budget, any thoughts on how to get my peeling nasty white cabinets to look great again? Can I make them look woodgrain? Or should I pick a color and go that route?

7 answers

Shari on Aug 11, 2015
Unless you are really talented at faux finishing, I don't think it will be easy to make thermofoil cabinets look like wood grain. However, if they are starting to peel, it is apparently not difficult to remove the plastic coating from the doors and then paint the MDF material underneath. Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxSWCB5V88g

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B. Enne on Aug 11, 2015
Click are the three large blue dots to expand. I have done it..It is best to remove the vinyl from the doors if it is loose, because if it moves the paint will crack. You have to prime...I have used regular latex /acrylic/ oil paints and gel stain. I have NOT used chalk paint. Wood grain look is hard to do, especially on such a grand scale...I personally wouldn't do it. Here are many posts on the subject. The 1st 2 are the best IMO. Read comments as well...good luck! http://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/rooms/q-painting-particle-board-cabinets-in-mobile-home-2053363... http://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/rooms/q-how-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets-after-paint-peeled-off-8655437... http://www.hometalk.com/diy/-2444267... http://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/rooms/q-how-to-paint-shrink-wrapped-kitchen-cabinets-9394779... http://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/cabinets/painting-your-cabinets-5-questions-you-always-wanted-to-ask-a-pro-2369248... http://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter...

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- See 7 previous
- Amy Harmon Kowalski on Aug 18, 2015
  Some of the Thermofoil is peeling and some is not so I'm not sure how to tackle these cabinets ! 😄
  
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- B. Enne on Aug 18, 2015
  @Amy Harmon Kowalski Remove the thermofoil that has peeled completely from the door. On the other doors, you have to make sure there is no give at all...if there is, the seal has broken, so the vinyl must be removed...check the seam all around and push your hand in the panel. If you choose to paint over the sound thermofoil doors, you may have to repaint them later if the seal breaks down the line. That is what happened to me on a couple of drawers. The frame should all be melamine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxSWCB5V88g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ueq3I7QiGfk
  
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- Amy Harmon Kowalski on Aug 18, 2015
  @B. Enne Great information Thank you.... I would have had no idea I could actually peel it off the rest of the way or that it was because the seal is broken. thank you so much... I feel like you probably saved me a ton of time and frustration!
  
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- B. Enne on Aug 19, 2015
  @Amy Harmon Kowalski You're welcome! Of course there is always a risk...I'm no expert, just a homeowner on a budget. I remember being laughed at when I first went to paint stores asking for suggestions. Every single place told me it could not be done. Now this type of problem is all over the Internet! I figured if you could prime/paint raw MDF, why not cabinets. The worst that can happen is it doesn't work and the doors need to be replaced...that is what I was told to do in the 1st place. If you have any concerns, do one and try it. If it is not for you, just replace that door. I have to tell you though that my warranty was 5 years, the cabinets started to lose their seals at 7 years...the paint lasted longer. I am now painting my crappy vinyl floors that I cannot remove. It is a band-aid solution until we can cover them. Again I was told: ''no way"...they were a yellowed white with dings, always looked dirty. At least now they look clean...for how long...who knows? They are still better than they were, even if they peel or crack. Good luck!
  
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- Amy Harmon Kowalski on Aug 19, 2015
  @B. Enne Oh the floors.... thats a whole addtional part of getting my kitchen upgraded! I must have the same flooring as you do! :)
  
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- B. Enne on Aug 19, 2015
  @Amy Harmon Kowalski I hope not for your sake ! LOL
  
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- Amy Harmon Kowalski on Aug 21, 2015
  @B. Enne So I peeled the thermofoil off of some of the drawers and cabinets...it was sooo easy! thanks! the backs of the drawers and cabinets are white tho, but they are not thermofoil i do not think... I would sand and paint this area as well correct?
  
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- B. Enne on Aug 21, 2015
  @Amy Harmon Kowalski If it was easy, it is because they were failing...they are not so easy to remove when they are still sound. :) The cabinets themselves are probably melamine.,,they usually are...You want to leave that intact. I thought I had mentioned that, but maybe I said it in another post.:) You sand or use liquid sandpaper and steel wool (my preferred method), and wipe down with a damp rag to remove dust. When completely dry, prime well with a high adhesion primer then paint...so yes the same thing I do with the thermofoil, minus removing the vinyl. Don't get the doors wet since the MDF will wick moisture. It is best to use a High-density foam roller to avoid brush strokes. Have fun!
  
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Debbie McGarrity on Aug 12, 2015
Do you have sound base cabinets do uni have some pictures?

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Jonnie Hammon on Aug 12, 2015
Pick a colour, not white, go with a neutral, to appeal to more people. Go with soft colors, such as ecru, nothing too loud or bold. Give them something they can live with, until they want to change it.

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Amy Harmon Kowalski on Aug 14, 2015
These are some pics of my kitchen right now.... I am in the middle of some renovations, but this is what I plan on tackling next...

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Amy Harmon Kowalski on Aug 14, 2015
More pics...

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Amy Harmon Kowalski on Aug 14, 2015
obviously I need to paint...lol

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