Kitchen cabinet doors - 5 steps to a fresh new look

Step 1) Remove doors and drawer fronts and move them to the area where you want to work, protecting the floor with dustsheets. Unscrew handles or wrap them in clingfilm or masking tape if they're stuck on.

Step 2) Sand down painted, stained or varnished wood doors and drawer fronts with medium-grade sandpaper to roughen the surface and provide a ‘key' (don't forget the edges, too). Melamine doors don't need to be sanded or primed - use a specialist spray paint such as Plasti-kote Cupboard Colours, and follow the instructions on the can.

Step 3) Use a tack rag to remove dust, then wipe with sugar soap solution. Use a small roller or brush to apply a thin coat of primer. Allow to dry, then apply a second coat.

Step 4) Rub down with a fine-grade sandpaper (the primer may have raised the wood grain) and remove dust with a tack rag.

Step 5) Apply a coat of eggshell paint, leave to dry overnight, then apply another coat. If you want a more distressed finish, you can use emulsion paint, then finish with wax, following the instructions on the tin.

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