Painting Thermofoil Kitchen Cabinets Part 1
After seeing this thermofoil kitchen I painted recently a friend of mine decided she needed me to transform her kitchen too.
As you can see she gave me some great “bones” to work with. These cabinets while nice and bright white just weren’t holding up well. Some of them had turned yellow and some of the thermofoil was peeling off of others. We decided we’d pull all of the thermofoil off before I painted them. I have painted over thermofoil but it wasn’t fun and took lots of prep work. So removing it was the way to go!
We used a Homeright Heat gun that you can purchase here on Amazon.
Here’s is a photo of the cabinet doors after the thermofoil has been removed. To remove it you simply heat it up with a hair dryer or heat gun and carefully peel it off. The surface underneath is called MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) and is painted in the same way you would paint raw wood. I lightly sanded it before applying the paint. LIGHTLY is the operative word here. You don’t want to over sand this surface. Doing so can cause it to pit and disintegrate.
Just in case you’re wondering the skeletons do not have the thermofoil covering. So I prepped them for paint by just cleaning as usual.
We tried several colors before we decided on French Linen is a mixture of brown and gray which blended perfectly with her granite.
So there’s a little bit of info about the beginning stages of this project. Stay tuned for more tips and the big reveal.
To see the finished kitchen click here….
Do you have cabinets you’d like to have painted? If you are within 1 hour of Fairview TN, email me at farmfreshvintagefinds@gmail.com for pricing and details.
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Thanks for reading and commenting below.
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Wish I was close to you, but Gainesville, Ga is a little to far I’m sure. Your work is beautiful
Aww thanks Ann! That’s so sweet.
It’s looking good so far! Looking forward to the reveal!
Thanks Paula!!!
Your work is lovely. I wish you were in my area and could paint my cabinets. After lightly sanding the peeled thermofoil cabinets, did you use any kind of primer before applying Annie Sloan paint?
Hi there~since Annie Sloan chalk paint is self priming I did not use an additional primer. You could if you wanted to but it’s not necessary when using Annie Sloan. Thanks for your question!
Blessings,
Beth
I applaud you! I recently started the process of removing thermofoil and painting my kitchen cabinets, but I’ve had trouble getting the paint to stick. I lightly sanded first, but in some areas the glue that held the thermofoil, specifically around the edges, just will not sand off. Did you do any additional prep work to remove remaining glue residue?
You can use a heat gun to heat the glue a bit and then remove it. What kind of paint are you using?
Nice! Do as far as Clarksville,Tn. NW of Nashville?
Hi Patricia-I responded to your email earlier. 😉
Thanks,
Beth
Sorry if this is a dupe.
I followed the link to removing Thermofoil. It just talked about a(nother) lovely kitchen.
How did you get it off?
How do you treat the MDF underneath?
And why do you think it’s easier?
Love your work!
Hi Christine,
The thermofoil peels off. Be sure and go slow and gentle so as not to damage the MDF. You can use a heat-gun if necessary. As far as treatment of the MDF you treat it just as you would, wood. It needs to be primed if you aren’t using a good quality Chalk Paint like Annie Sloan. It’s not necessarily easier in the beginning but in the long run it is. Thermofoil is notorious for peeling, cracking and shrinking. And most paints will not adhere to it. It’s just better to take it off.
Thanks so much for your compliments. Good luck with your project!
Blessings,
Beth
Well, I guess I’ve got nuttin’ to lose. 🙂
I have 4, 24″w x 84″t pantry cabinets in the famous, white 80’s thermofoil. I love their storage, but that. flat. white. I’ve entertained the idea of applied molding and some other great blogging ideas, but painting them was the monkey wrench in the mix.
I appreciate it.
(Note to self: add heat gun to Lowe’s list…)
Hi Beth,
One cabinet in my white thermofoil kitchen is peeled! 🙂 The sides of my cabinets also have the thermofoil texture. Have you found a good way to peel them, or did you paint over them? How did you tackle this step? They aren’t naturally peeling like some of the cabinets and drawers. Thank you! 🙂
Hi Annette,
When I paint them I peel all the thermofoil off. If you’re planning to paint yours that’s what I’d recommend. I hope this helps!
Blessings,
Beth
Hi Beth,
I am preparing to paint my thermofoil kitchen. I have removed the thermofoil from most of the cabinets to expose the MDF and think I am ready to go ahead and paint the cabinet doors and drawers. The biggest question I have is did you do anything special to the cabinet boxes or sides (skeletons)? Sand, prime, etc…? I believe the skeletons have a melamine coating. Can I use the same paint on that area that I use on the MDF that was under the thermofoil? Very nervous about the color matching. THANKS!!
Michelle,
There shouldn’t be a melamine coating on the skeletons but I would still prime them anyway. If you use Annie Sloan you shouldn’t have to prime because it has primer built in. I would do a test spot first. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Blessings,
Beth
Beth, I live in Franklin Tn and have those nasty thermofoil cabinets. I also think the skeleton is some type of thin overlay. I was wondering if once the thermofoil etc was removed could they be gel stained rather than painted? Thank you.
Hi Julie,
It really depends on how the surface has held up after the thermofoil has been removed. You would need to remove all the glue very gently with sand paper.
Beth
Is there a reason you used chalk paint? Would other good quality paint with primer work?
Hi Pat, I just like chalk paint but you could always prime and paint.
Thank you,
Beth
Love this! Four of my cabinets have peeled off completely and I’ve been debating on removing and repainting but I’ve been afraid to ruin my cabinets. This gives me hope and motivation to get it done!
One question, did you use an electric sander, or would that be too harsh? I know you mentioned to LIGHTLY sand after removing the thermofoil and I’m wondering if it’s in my best interest to rent/purchase an electric sander if just regular sandpaper would do.
Thanks!
Hi. Nice job. I have 2 questions: 1) Do you know if MDF is safe, as far as chemicals? 2) Does Annie Sloan chalk paint have any smell to it? My husband is sensitive to smells.
Hi Jerrie,
Thank you. I am not sure what kind of glue is used on the MDF so I can’t answer that. I haven’t ever encountered a smell though. Annie Sloan chalk paint does not have a smell. I have several autoimmune disorders and am sensitive to smells as well which is why I love Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I hope this helps!
Thank you for reading,
Beth
I live in Southern Ohio. Is there anyone in my area that does this work. I love my white cabinets but the Thermafoil is bubbling up on the edges. I am 76 and can’t do it my self.
Hi Linda,
I wish I could help you. I’m not sure of anyone that does this kind of work in your area. You might post on a local Facebook group and ask for recommendations.
🙂 Beth