The kitchen is an aggressive environment. The constant effect of steam, heat, soot, humidity adversely affects primarily furniture. Fittings and surfaces wear out, scratches and chips appear, and protective films peel off. But even if the furniture is in excellent functional condition, over time its appearance may get bored. However, do not rush to get rid of it, because it is not as difficult to make a restoration of 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 with minimal cost.
Repair of kitchen facades
During operation, small and large scratches, as well as chips, appear on the kitchen facades. They are easy to disguise without completely changing the headsets. For minor defects, you can use wax crayon to match the facade. If the damage is large, for example, at the place where the fittings are fastened, wood putty will be needed. The defect is carefully coated and, after complete drying, sanded with fine-grained emery paper. After the surface is painted in tone with the headset. Such repairs will not be too striking. Of course, this method is suitable for eliminating defects on a wooden surface, MDF, particleboard or veneer. Serious damage to the PVC film can be repaired by replacing the topcoat, and the acrylic and enamel facades will have to be replaced.
The vinyl film that has peeled off from the facade can be returned to its previous state by using the Moment adhesive. It is recommended to remove the facades before repair. Glue is collected in a syringe and gently fill the voids between the film and the base. You need to work quickly, as the substance quickly sets. It is important that the glue 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, the veneered doors of a kitchen set can be restored. The main thing is that the veneer is not deformed and does not have cracks.
Tinting and varnishing
Facades made of wood are a very durable element of the decor. However, if they do not fit into the updated interior of the kitchen or the lacquer coating is cracked, they can be re-tinted and varnished.
At the preparatory stage, the doors are removed from the hinges and the hardware is removed. Old varnish is removed with sandpaper. Then cover large defects, if any, with putty on wood. It is necessary to leave work until the putty is completely dry. After the surface is ground. Now she is ready to apply the tone. It is important that each layer of tinting is well dried. Next, the surface is primed in 1-2 layers, allowed to dry well and proceed to varnishing. Work should be in a well-ventilated area, as the substance has a pungent odor. The facades are varnished in 1-2 layers, allowing each to dry for a day.
The updated kitchen door is ready! It remains to return to the place of accessories and hang them on the hinges.
Painting kitchen facades
If you want to change the look of your kitchen, you can paint it. It is easiest to work with wood and veneered surfaces, but film and MDF facades can also be successfully restored using technology.
If you decide to update the kitchen in this way, the first question is how to paint the kitchen facades. Oil and water-based compositions for this work will not work. Restoration specialists recommend using aerosols for painting cars, and designers recommend chalk paint.
Aerosols are easy to apply, lie in a thin and even layer, have a wide color gamut. However, film, acrylic and MDF surfaces cannot be painted with them. The coating will quickly crack and begin to peel.
Paint for painting kitchen facades is better to take chalk. It is characterized by increased density, due to which it allows you to simulate a wood drawing or any other texture. In addition, the paint has improved adhesive properties, which makes it possible to use it on a variety of surfaces, including for painting kitchen facades made of MDF.
You can update the design with the help of moldings, this element allows you to make a kitchen in the classic style from the most ordinary set, which will fit perfectly into the interior. You can complement painted facades with painting or decoupage. You can use stencils for painting, and we will talk about the decoupage technique below. Artificially aged furniture looks very stylish and original . This type can be achieved with the help of varnishes and paints with the effect of "craquelure".
Materials and Tools
Before proceeding with the painting of kitchen facades, it is necessary to stock up on the following materials and tools:
1. A screwdriver. Useful to unscrew the accessories and remove the doors from the hinges.
2. Protective film and masking tape. The film will be needed to cover the working surface and the floor, and with tape you need to glue the elements that will not be painted, such as glass inserts.
3. Gloves.
4. Sandpaper. It is better to stock up on two species: medium-grained and small.
5. The primer. There are special compositions for subsequent surface painting with chalk paints, but alkyd is also suitable. The latter is required to use if the facades were covered with oil stain.
6. Degreaser. It has a pungent smell, so work should be in a well-ventilated area.
7. Chalk paint. A thick consistency increases its consumption. You should also purchase paint with a small margin. If it is not enough, you will have to paint over the surface with a composition from another batch, and its tone may vary slightly.
8. Brushes. Both synthetic and natural are suitable. Prepare one for paint, primer and varnish.
9. Varnish. The topcoat will protect the surface from wear and extend the life of the facades. Designers recommend using matte polyurethane or acrylic varnish for working with chalk paint. The first one withstands temperature extremes and mechanical influences, and the second does not have too sharp a smell.
How to make chalk paint
Chalk paint for kitchen facades from MDF is the best choice. It adheres very well to glass, film, and laminated surfaces. The composition dries quickly and does not have a pungent odor. Paint can be purchased at hardware stores or made by yourself. There are many recipes for home-made chalk paint, focusing on reviews, we have chosen the option most suitable for painting kitchen facades.
To prepare the composition, you need good quality white acrylic paint, gypsum putty, finely ground, water and toner. Putty is diluted with water to the consistency of thick sour cream. The more water you add, the more liquid the paint will turn out. If you want to make the surface textured, the mixture should be thick. Next, mix 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 the kitchen facades from MDF is ready. You can get to work.
Surface preparation
Before painting, the surface and workplace must be prepared. The facades are removed from the hinges and unscrew all the fittings. The floor, countertop, apron, glass inserts are covered with a film and fixed with masking tape so as not to spoil them with paint and varnish.
Then proceed to the preparation of the surface of the facades. Old varnish is removed with sandpaper, glossy facades are slightly overwritten for better paint adhesion. Degrease surfaces and apply a primer 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.
Instruction manual
Now you can start painting the kitchen facades. Usually 2-3 coats of paint are sufficient, but if you paint a dark surface with a light composition, 5-6 may be needed. Chalk paint dries very quickly, in 30-40 minutes. However, before applying varnish, it is necessary to withstand it for a day so that it is well fixed on the surface. Completely dried paint becomes very durable and does not even lend itself to grinding.
At the final stage, the surface is varnished in 2-3 thin layers. Each layer must be dried during the day.
Painting of MDF facades is finished. Now you can hang them on the hinges of the headset, return the accessories to their place and start to be proud of their skill.
Self-adhesive film
If painting MDF surfaces seems too complicated and painstaking, you can use a self-adhesive vinyl film to update the kitchen. Working with her is very easy. The surface must be thoroughly washed and degreased. A sheet of film is cut to the size of 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, glue the entire canvas. The corners of the film are cut diagonally and bent, pasting the ends. If bubbles remain on the surface, they can be punctured with a thin needle and let out air. Holes for fittings are made with an awl.
Repair of kitchen facades with PVC film is completed. This method is one of the fastest and cheapest.
Decoupage
You can decorate a boring kitchen using the decoupage technique. Such decor will be appropriate in the style of Provence and shabby chic. For work you will need:
- napkins with a pattern;
- PVA glue;
- brushes;
- varnish.
The surface is washed and degreased. The figure is cut out of a napkin, impregnated with glue and fixed on the facade. Smooth thoroughly with a brush. After complete drying, the surface is varnished.
Conclusion
Updating kitchen facades is a laborious but creative process. 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, gluing with PVC film and decorating using decoupage technique.