Painted facades for the kitchen: types and technology

Features and advantages of painted kitchen facades

Painted kitchen facades are MDF sheets onto which special enamel (paint) is applied. It gives the product color and performs a protective function, eliminating the effects of moisture, high temperatures and dirt on the material.

Compared to other options, painted facades have the following advantages:

thanks to a large selection of colors and effects, enamel allows you to make your set truly unique;
durability - painted panels are heat-resistant, do not melt, do not chip or delaminate;
high-quality coating is resistant to mechanical damage.

Please note that a headset with painted front panels will cost much more than the option with a film coating. High-quality enamel-coated facades are comparable in cost to furniture made from natural wood.

Easy to care for

Often when furnishing a kitchen, an apron made from MDF is used. It is cheaper than tile, easy to install and can be decorated in a variety of ways. At the same time, you should remember the disadvantages of this type of kitchen furniture:

burning out of the finishing layer under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
peeling of the film, especially in places near heat sources;
scratches appear when cleaning.

If a manufacturer skimps on quality and uses low-grade adhesives, the slabs can swell and become deformed. Therefore, choose only proven brands and models.

Base for a painted kitchen façade – material and requirements

Please note that MDF facades are painted.

MDF is a medium density fiberboard. It, just like chipboard, is made from wood chips - that is, from wood processing waste. However, unlike cheap chipboard, natural resins are used to glue the chips. Therefore, MDF is considered an absolutely safe and environmentally friendly material.

It meets all the requirements for painted surfaces:

the internal structure of MDF is homogeneous;
has a smooth top side, without roughness and protruding pieces of chips;
The porosity of the surface allows the primer and paint to be evenly distributed.

If you want to save money and paint chipboard panels, it is better to abandon this idea: not only will the enamel not stick to this material, but it will also not look aesthetically pleasing - with irregularities and bumps. It is better to cover chipboard with a special film for lamination.

What paints are used for enameled kitchen facades?

Two types of paint are used to paint kitchen facades:

acrylic;
alkyd (auto enamel).

Acrylic enamel is safe, affordable and comes in a wide range of shades. It is used both in the production of facades and for painting furniture yourself. It does not have a strong odor and applies smoothly.

It should be taken into account that acrylic paint is difficult to withstand moisture and high temperatures and requires a topcoat. Without it, the enamel is easily corroded by acids (for example, splashes of lemon juice or vinegar). In addition, it absorbs oils - greasy stains will remain on the panels.

The best option for painting facades is auto enamel - these are polyurethane or polyester paint and varnish coatings.

This is the most durable and reliable solution. Compared to acrylic paint, it has the following advantages:

resistant to humidity, splashes of water and high temperatures;
immunity to mechanical damage - small scratches and marks from impacts do not remain on the enamel coating of the car;
wide choice of colors and effects.

Top 3 paint options

Although various compositions can be used in the manufacture of MDF furniture, the most common are three types of enamel:

Acrylic. Paint is widely used not only for decorating kitchen furniture. It is often used to cover living room cabinets, beds and bedroom cabinets. The paint adheres perfectly to the surface, lasts a long time, does not fade even in direct sunlight and is not afraid of temperature changes.

Polyurethane. It is identical in almost all characteristics to the paint used in auto repair shops. Not afraid of moisture, high temperatures and mechanical damage.

Polyester. Easy to use and absolutely safe for humans, the paint does not require special conditions for drying. It is highly resistant to household chemicals, so the surface can be cleaned using aggressive detergents.

The matter is usually not limited to just coloring. Typically, various special effects are used for facades, which make it possible to obtain original textures. The dyeing process itself is divided into several stages. First, the surface is sanded, after which an insulating layer is applied. After it has dried, the coating is sanded again, and then a primer is applied to the surface. When it is completely dry, it’s time to paint. It can be applied in several layers, depending on the intensity of the color. Each layer is dried in a special chamber. Varnish is applied on top of the surface.

How to paint kitchen MDF facades

The production of painted kitchen facades is a complex technological process. The performance properties of the panels directly depend on it, which is why correctly painted products are so expensive.

It includes several stages:

leveling the surface - the MDF board is sanded until ideal smoothness is achieved: there should be no roughness or pores on it;
facade primer - a special composition is applied to it in two layers. The first layer has a protective function - it prevents the paint from being absorbed by the material, which not only reduces its consumption, but also ensures uniform coverage. The second is the adhesive layer. It serves for better adhesion of the plate and paint;
Paint is applied only after the primer has completely dried. It is applied using a spray remote control in several layers until the required shade and saturation are obtained. At the same time, each layer is completely dried in a special chamber;
applying the final varnish coating and drying it. If the facade is glossy, then it is polished to a shine.

You can paint kitchen panels yourself. To do this you will need a set of special tools and materials:

dye;
wood primer;
sandpaper;
brushes and roller;
gloves, respirator and goggles.

It is best to apply the coating using a special paint control panel.

First, you need to sand the coating using sandpaper. If you are painting old facades, you need to remove the previous coating from them.

Next, the panels must be cleaned of dust with a brush and lubricated with a degreaser, for example, alcohol or technical acetone. After this, you need to apply a thin layer of primer and start painting. Dry the facades on a flat horizontal surface for 24 hours.

How to check the quality of a painted MDF kitchen facade

Painted MDF kitchen facades are expensive, so be sure to check the high quality of the products before purchasing.

To do this, you need to follow a few simple steps:

carefully examine the facades from different angles - the glare should be even, waves and irregularities are unacceptable;
there should be no smudges, paint or varnish on the surface. This is especially true for the edges of the product;
try to leave a fingerprint on the facade - it can be easily wiped off with a soft cloth from a well-painted panel;
take a closer look at the dust particles under the top layer - there should not be too many of them.

Advantages and disadvantages of MDF

Like any other material, painted MDF has its pros and cons. But it is worth noting that negative qualities are quite controversial, since they can very easily be turned into advantages. The advantages of painted MDF are so obvious that when described they look like praise. This is absolutely not true, so it’s worth purchasing a kitchen furniture set to see from your own experience the versatility of the material from which it is made.

Advantages

Kitchens made from painted MDF are presented in furniture showrooms in a wide variety of colors and many different shades. There is no such richness of colors among other materials. The most demanding owner will be able to satisfy his desires by designing kitchen furniture in accordance with a certain style. If it happens that the coveted color is not available, then custom-made kitchen facades, photos of which can be seen in large quantities on the website, will certainly satisfy the taste of the most picky designer.

You can paint absolutely any shape and configuration

MDF kitchens are made from natural materials and are therefore environmentally friendly. This essential quality is especially valuable in the kitchen, where people prepare and eat food. Harmful chemical compounds negatively affect the health of the housewife, who is forced to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Under the influence of temperature changes and fumes from cooking, these dangerous substances can cause irreparable harm to children and the elderly. That is why MDF kitchens are the right choice for everyone who cares about the health of their loved ones and protects their own.

Painted MDF facades are absolutely not susceptible to rot and mold, they do not react to temperature changes and are not afraid of high humidity. They also do not absorb specific odors that appear during the preparation of various dishes. Kitchen furniture made of painted MDF will never be wet from excessive wetting during washing. At the same time, everyone understands that the kitchen is a place subject to constant pollution, and therefore needs regular and thorough care. This material is very easy to handle, it can be washed without much effort and remains in this condition for a long time.

Another undeniable advantage is that restoration of painted MDF facades is possible at home.

You can also order this service at a furniture showroom. A kitchen made from such high-quality material will last for decades without losing its aesthetic and functional qualities.

Flaws

The production of painted MDF requires significant costs and high-quality equipment, so these products are expensive. If you really don’t have enough money, you can use an analogue - chipboard, which is much cheaper and simpler. However, if refusing to purchase only implies a desire to save money, this is absolutely not worth doing. A kitchen set made of painted MDF will, over time, fully recoup all costs and meet all expectations. When other furniture has long been thrown into a landfill, this set will be in no way inferior to a new one. To do this, you just need to carefully care for the furniture and do not use harsh abrasive cleaners that can damage the surface.

Even the smallest defect in the paintwork can ruin the appearance of the entire headset

Color palette and types of decor for enameled kitchen facades

After you have checked the quality of the facades, you need to decide on the color and decor.

It is important that the design of the panels is in harmony with the overall design of the kitchen.

First choose a color:

Light-colored facades are ideal for small kitchens. They visually expand the space and add volume to it;
dark panels can be used to create unusual interiors and contrasting effects;
bright colors look rich and refresh the kitchen, but keep in mind that they are not suitable for small rooms.

Contrary to popular belief that light-colored furniture gets dirty quickly, panels in white, beige and pastel shades are much more practical - soap stains and traces of splashes of water, oil and grease are not noticeable on them.

The texture of the coating is also important: glossy facades lighten the space, while matte ones give the interior a special charm.

To decorate painted kitchen facades use:

drawing images - floral and geometric patterns are popular;
patination (the “crackle” effect or claquelure) is a special finishing of panels that allows you to create the appearance of an aged surface;
Decoupage is an elegant version of decoration in the Provençal style. It involves gluing patterns made of thick fabric onto the surface. To ensure that the images last a long time, they are coated with a layer of varnish;
metallic is an interesting effect that is created by adding special substances to the paint. Such facades are perfect for a high-tech kitchen.

And if you like variety, take a closer look at chameleon facades - they change color at different angles.

Care and operating features of painted MDF kitchen facades

In order for painted kitchen facades to last a long time, they must be properly cared for, observing the following rules:

First of all, you need to choose the right accessories. It is important that it ensures minimal contact between hands and fronts. These can be wide mortise and railing handles;
Careless operation of the cabinets should be avoided - strong slamming of doors and hitting their surface is unacceptable;
In order for the facades to retain their original brightness and color saturation, it is recommended not to expose them to direct sunlight.

The panels should be cleaned using soft flannel cloths soaked in soapy water. It must be washed off immediately so that there are no streaks left. It is acceptable to use microfiber cloths.

The use of foam sponges and harder materials, as well as products with abrasive particles, is not allowed - they can scratch the coating.

Kitchens made of painted material

Headsets made using this technology are aesthetically attractive and are characterized by a variety of color palettes. In particular, original decoration can be achieved by painting the facade with gradient transitions, by giving the furniture a chameleon effect.

To make a painted set, automotive enamel is applied to the surface in several layers. The resulting color is bright and rich.

Enamel is suitable for any surface. At the same time, from the front side the plate can be glossy or matte. It is also possible to apply a design using milling.

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The material has excellent performance properties. It does not require much effort when cleaning - just gently wipe with a sponge with water and a cleaning solution. The glossy surface may retain traces of touch. In addition, there are scratches on it.

Photos of kitchen units with painted MDF facade

Kitchen facades made of MDF with enamel coating fully justify their cost - they are stylish, practical and durable. The main thing is to carefully select panels and check the quality of the paintwork.