#surface-preparation

#surface-preparation

Many of the common mistakes that occur when painting the kitchen also apply when it comes to cabinets. For starters, there is no skipping the prep work. Without adequate sanding and priming, your paint will fall apart. You'll also need to give the tiny grooves the attention they need - even if it adds a few days to your timeline. The need for quick results is understandable, but bear in mind that kitchen cabinets face a significant amount of wear and tear.

Steel and wrought iron are typically used for gates, railings, garden furniture, and radiators, and are usually sanded to remove any rust and peeling paint before repainting. Similarly, aluminium items like car parts and bodywork, cookware, and certain tools and machinery, will benefit from sanding to restore shine and improve the adhesion of any finishes. Sanding aluminium can smooth over any scratches and prepare these items for paint and polish.

You can paint onto varnished wood, but, like all paint projects, you will need to do some preparation to ensure a good finish, explains Paul Kerr, Building specialist at Beatsons. "Technically, yes, you can paint directly onto varnished wood. However, it is difficult to keep paint adhering to the glossy surface as varnish seals off the wood underneath." He adds, "The key to painting on varnish is to prepare the surface for adhesion, making sure the paint can stick and hold to it."