How to repaint kitchens and open-plan kitchen / living areas

Note: Refer to the PDF flowchart for a visual of the steps below:

1. Using a soft cloth, wipe the walls down using Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner

2. Fill all dents, defects and holes with PAL Contract Filler or Resene Ezyfill Quick, which is ideal for smaller dents and holes, and lightly sand. Large repairs may need sealing with Resene Quick Dry (D45) primer.

3. Sand old enamel paints (often used in older kitchens) with 220 grit sandpaper and wipe off sanding dust with a damp cloth.

4. Prime using Resene Quick Dry primer.

5. Apply Resene Waterborne Sureseal (D42a) or Resene StainLock (D408) to any water stains or ink marks.

6. Fill any cracks between the walls and skirtings and/or scotias with Sika Fill That Gap

7. Mask the edges of door and window frames, skirting boards and light switches with yellow washi (multipurpose) masking tape.

8. Apply topcoats:

• Apply 2 coats of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen (D311) for the most washable finish.

• Or apply 2 coats of Resene Zylone Sheen (D302).

An average open plan kitchen and living room will use 4-6 litres of paint.

Things to consider:

• What room or rooms are being painted?
• What is on the walls? E.g. are they painted and do you know what with?
• What condition are they in?
• Are there any critical lighting issues?
• Have you decided on a colour scheme? Have dark colours been selected?
• What is the size of the room(s)?

Notes:

1. Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen is our best system as it is more hardwearing than Resene Zylone Sheen or Resene SpaceCote Flat (D314)

2. If you are using white or light colours use Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen & Bathroom (D311K) for added anti-bacterial silver and MoulDefender protection.

3. As open plan living areas invariably share walls with the kitchen it is important to use a paint that performs well in all areas. Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen is the best in this situation.

4. Most modern kitchens have good ventilation and glass, tiled or stainless-steel splashbacks in cooking areas. This means that solventborne systems are not normally required.

5. Grease and oil must be removed prior to repainting using Sugar Soap or a strong kitchen cleaner, such as ‘Jif’.

6. When dealing with ceilings it is important to remember that steam from kettles and cooking may become a problem for flat ceiling paints. Resene SpaceCote Flat and Resene SpaceCote Flat Kitchen & Bathroom (D314K) are much tougher and a better barrier to steam than Resene Ceiling Paint (D305) and are recommended particularly in the kitchen area. Avoid flat finishes on walls that may require regular cleaning.

7. A third coat may be required for some colours, bright yellows for example and also some very pale shades. The colour being overcoated is also a factor – if you are going from very dark to light or vice versa.

Key accessories essential to complete the job

• 220 grit sandpaper for preparing filled areas and any surface imperfections.
• 38-50mm PAL Legend, Basil Hybrid or MacGyver brush and/or a cutting in brush
• PAL No.1 or for a smoother finish the PAL No.7 roller sleeve.
• Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner (concentrate)
• Roller handle and roller tray
• Good quality extension pole, we recommend the MacGyver Boss extension pole.
• PAL Contract Filler or Resene Ezyfill Quick
• Sika Fill That Gap

Add-ons – to make the job easier or quicker

• Paint pot to decant into
• Drop cloth
• Yellow washi (multipurpose) masking tape (for light switches and painted skirting boards)
• Meths for clean up around light switches, enamel skirtings etc
• Pole sander
• Rubber gloves (for use with the Sugar Soap)
• Sugar Soap

Products to use

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Painting guide for interior rooms   How to paint your home