Vinyl wrapped kitchen cupboards

Can’t help I’m afraid but you can get new doors!

Yes new doors will probably be cost effective compared to all the difficult work stripping the old ones.

I have the same problem with my vinyl wrap doors after about eight years. The wrap is peeling off at the edges, particularly on the doors next to the oven (which is under the counter)

I am thinking that the only solution is to replace the doors - but not with vinyl wrap again.

The only problem is if you chose a different colour door. Mine are cream and the wall cupboard carcasses and some side panels are also cream (to match).

I am fancying white doors, for a change but I will have to replace all of the wall cupboards where you can see the sides.

I think you could paint the side panels but it would probably look like a dogs dinner if I did them!!

its easy to replace just the doors if you keep the same layout and cheaper
if not a carpenter will help reposition units
13 years sounds like time for a change maybe

Hello Theone, I was upset to move into my new bungalow and 'melt' the bottom of the kitchen cupboard with my toaster on my first night, I'd assumed they were wood.

I am also on Mumsnet and there was a discussion about doing up your kitchen, there is a fantastic new paint called French chic. I was directed to the 'French chic lovers' page on Facebook, and people have done wonders with vinyl wrapped kitchens.

They have sometimes torn the vinyl off, other recommend a hairdryer makes it easier. The MDF is primed first of all so it doesn't soak up the paint like a sponge, (no sanding as it's poisonous) then painted. French chic 'Alfresco' seems to be the one generally used for kitchen. I'm going to do mine, when I can, with 'Apple of My Eye'.

It's possible now to paint any kind of surface: wood, laminate or metal, provided you use the correct primers and paint. One of my neighbours has just had all of her gloss white,1980s laminate kitchen cupboards, painted in a dark blue on the base cupboards and a very pale grey on the wall cupboards. New handles and it looks brilliant.

There are companies that specialise in refacing kitchen doors and they usually strip the old finish first. Try contacting a local one to come and have a look and give you a price?

It's actually called the Frenchic Fan Forum, sorry, don't think I'm allowed to link. So many kitchens have been painted, recycling at its best.

I'm not renovating my kitchen, it's so vile it isn't worth it BUT the vinyl HAS totally come off one of the doors. The quality of MDF/whatever is underneath is excellent though. It could very easily be painted.

Oh well I'm all excited now! I had thought of replacement doors but to be honest I don't even want to go to that expense. I'll have a look at the forum mentioned and maybe it's easier than I thought to remove the vinyl. My doors are fully wrapped with no seams so it would be brilliant if they peeled off in one piece! Ever hopeful In fact I might get my decorator to come and have a look as I'm not much of a dab hand with a paint brush and that might be money well spent if the base material is in excellent condition. Thank you all so much. If my plan fails, it's new doors I think.

Finding new doors that fit exactly may not be straightforward, look for a local kitchen workshop, he will have the sanders and spray paint facilities to do a proper job.

OH did our kitchen cupboards and drawer fronts. He removed them and peeled the vinyl with a heat gun. After priming, he painted them with satinwood gloss in cream. The plinths and cupboard sides wouldn't peel, so we have left them as they are a light woodgrain which looks very good with the Egyptian cotton colour. It transformed the kitchen.

I took the vinyl wrap off my 1998 b n q kitchen, used a cupboard paint, took off glass doors, put wallpaper in the backs of the cupboards and painted the interior a bright colour . Did the walls same as the inside of the cupboards, took off the nineties fasardes, which allowed a lot more storage up above cupboards.

I think if I put new knobs on too that might look nice.

But it’s a transformation for about £50.

Just popped back to thank everyone for their useful input. I have today removed the vinyl covering on the worst affected door and am pleased to report a perfectly smooth mdf surface underneath. I'm not expecting it to look amazing but I'm sure it will paint up adequately until I can afford to replace the whole kitchen. I'm going to look in to preparation techniques and various (simple) paint finishes over the coming week. 3dognight and Pirate, I like the sound of what you've managed with your kitchens without spending a great deal!

My DH is very experienced making furniture, toys, from wood. Also fitted two kitchens in our own homes and two for AC. I don't like my current kitchen installed in new builds 12 years ago and suggested a paint job to change the colour. A very big NO from DH. It will not work. You di gave to strip absolutely every bit of vinyl then you have an awful lot if prep on the MDF before you get anywhere near painting. Remember you may have end panels, shelving, plinths, not just doors. If cours you may be happy leaving everything other than doors in original colour. There are companies that will take doors away and spray them for you but think they deal with wooden stuff. New kitchen for me, almost finished design and can't wait for work to start.

13 years sounds like time for a change maybe

Yes, but should we be changing stuff just because ‘it’s 13 years old?’ My kitchen is 16 years old, but it’s serviceable and not tatty. Then I read comments like this, and think is it me?

4allweknow this particular paint does seem to work, there are hundreds of photographs of successful revamps of existing kitchens.

www.facebook.com/groups/TheFrenchicFanForum

The vinyl came off in one clean sheet once I'd slit the most bubbled section. I am encouraged to give painting a try before considering new doors and I know the particular shade of cream will be easy enough to match up (or near enough for me) so I do really appreciate all the input and differing opinions. I will soon know once I've experimented with the one I've stripped. Thank you!

I'd love to see a painted door Theone.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Hello Theone, I hope your colour matched OK.

I'm just back from ordering the french chic Al fresco range, the colour is Mermaid for a day, a greeny blue. Scared but excited at the same time, the success stories on the FB page have inspired me.

If you join the frenchic fan forum in a matter of months you will be chalk painting your own grandchildren
beware

shandy57, how long have you been on the forum? I had to leave after someone wanted to paint an original 'arts and crafts' room (20s wood lined room, fireplace, absolutely gorgeous) I wonder if you saw it!

I've only been on there a few months JaneJudge, sorry you had to leave. I am sorry the art nouveau items were painted, but hopefully someone in the future will strip them back to their natural beauty as fashion returns to a love of wood grain.

I am very impressed that so many furniture items, including whole kitchens, have been recycled by such enthusiastic people.