The Ugly Duckling Kitchen Company
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The Ugly Duckling Kitchen Company
  • Home
  • Spray Granite
  • Gallery
    • Hand-Painted Cabinetry
    • Spray Granite
    • Hand-Painted Furniture
    • Painting & Woodwork
    • Front Doors
    • During The Process
  • Reviews
  • FAQ
  • Paintable Kitchens Guide
  • Reels
  • Contact Us

Frequently asked Questions

  

Your Bespoke Hand-Painted Cabinetry Guide

Our Process, Standards and What To Expect


Do we clean the kitchen?


Yes, we always thoroughly clean the kitchen before any painting begins. We use a specialised degreaser to remove grease, residue and contaminants, ensuring all surfaces are properly prepared prior to sanding and priming. Proper preparation is essential for a long-lasting finish.


Do you sand?


Absolutely. We carefully sand all cabinets and drawer fronts using a professional dustless sanding system. This advanced system captures dust at the source, preventing it from circulating throughout your home. You won’t find sanding dust settling on floors, furniture, or drifting into other rooms. We also sand between coats to ensure a beautifully smooth, high-quality finish. The result is a flawless surface without the mess traditionally associated with sanding.


Do you prime?


Yes, we prime all surfaces before painting. We apply two coats of high-adhesion primer to ensure optimal bonding, durability and long-term performance. After priming, we caulk any unsightly gaps using a flexible, paintable acrylic caulk to create a seamless, refined finish before applying your chosen colour.


How many topcoats are applied?


We apply a minimum of two enamel topcoats to ensure excellent coverage, depth of colour and durability. Lighter shades may require additional coats to achieve a flawless, even finish.


What paint products do we use?


We use only premium, professional-grade products to ensure a flawless and durable finish. 


All surfaces are first primed with a high-performance, water-based primer-sealer designed for exceptional adhesion and stain blocking. This specialist primer effectively seals knots, sap streaks and problem areas while maintaining a low-odour, low-VOC formulation suitable for indoor environments.


Once primed, we apply two coats of a premium water-based acrylic enamel developed specifically for durability in high-use areas such as kitchens. This advanced coating is highly resistant to mechanical damage, resistant to yellowing and UV exposure, fully washable and designed for busy kitchen environments. 


The result is a seamless, long-lasting finish that is both beautiful and practical. We only use products trusted within the kitchen and cabinet manufacturing industry as the professional standard for hand-finished cabinetry.


Will the paint chip?


The premium enamel system we use cures to form an exceptionally tough, hard-wearing surface designed to withstand everyday kitchen use. Our preparation and priming process ensures excellent adhesion and long-term durability.


As part of our finishing system, we install discreet rubber buffers to the backs of cupboard doors and drawers. These prevent contact with the cabinet framework and protect the finish during curing and ongoing use. 


At completion, we re-pot and reseal any leftover paint for you and provide a detailed Aftercare Guide outlining how to care for your cabinetry while the paint fully cures.


We stand firmly behind the quality of our work and are always available should you ever need assistance.


Is the paint wipeable?


Yes, the finish is fully wipeable and highly durable. Our acrylic enamel is resistant to cleaning, detergents and everyday wear. We recommend cleaning with warm water and mild washing-up liquid, then drying with a lint-free cloth to keep your cabinetry looking flawless.


Can I choose my finish?


Yes, you can choose from:


Matt - 10% sheen

Satin - 40% sheen

Gloss - 80% sheen


Can we choose other colour palettes?


Absolutely. While we love the Farrow and Ball palette, we can colour match to any brand.


Will I have help with colour choice?


Of course. Choosing the right colour is one of the most important parts of the process, and we are always happy to guide you.


We strongly recommend ordering a Farrow and Ball colour fan if you are unsure. The fan provides much larger and more accurate colour samples than standard in-store cards, allowing you to properly view tones in your own lighting and space.


If you find shades you love, send them over to us. We can share examples of previous kitchens where those colours have been used, and we can also create mock-up images of your own kitchen to help you visualise how the final result will look.

Our goal is to ensure you feel completely confident in your colour choice before we begin.


Can I get sample pots?


Yes, sample pots are available from Brewers or directly from Farrow and Ball.


When do you need my colour choice?


We ask for your confirmed colour selection the Tuesday before your scheduled start date.


 

What if my cabinets have de-laminated? 


We remove all the failed laminate, dustless sand, prime, and then apply the primer and finishing coat to the MDF. We also dispose of the laminate.


Can we change the handles?


Yes, you are welcome to supply your own handles and we will fit them at no additional cost.


Can you change my worktops?


Yes, we offer Spray Granite, a natural granite-effect resin system that creates stone-effect surfaces using real granite flecks embedded in a water-based resin.


This specialist system provides a cost-effective alternative to full replacement while delivering a durable and elegant finish.


Spray Granite is available in a wide range of colours and finishes. You can mix and match granite flecks with base colours to create a bespoke look tailored to your space.


Do I have to empty my kitchen?


No. We only ask that you clear surfaces, drawers and all glass-fronted cabinets, as we paint the internal framework.


Can I use my kitchen during work?


Yes. We ask that you are cautious around freshly painted areas, particularly near the sink. Each evening, we leave the kitchen tidy and functional for you.


How do you protect floors and worktops?


We use hard surface floor protection and specialist worktop protectors that remain in place throughout the project. We avoid dust sheets as they can trap particles and release dust when moved.


Do I need to be home?


No. We ask that someone is present on the first morning so we can discuss the project. After that, we can work independently. For your peace of mind, we are fully DBS checked.


Sprayed or hand painted?


This is a great question.


While both methods have their place, we specialise exclusively in bespoke hand-painted kitchens and cabinetry.


Sprayed kitchens achieve a factory-style finish. Hand painting offers a crafted, tailored aesthetic with greater flexibility for maintenance and future touch-ups.


Hand-painted finishes allow for easy on-site repairs if ever required, without the need for full respraying. They also require significantly less masking and disruption during application, meaning your kitchen remains more functional during the process.


Hand painting takes time, but the depth, character and detail achieved create a truly bespoke finish.


Our Experience


With over 13 years of experience specialising in hand-painted cabinetry, we have refined our systems to ensure durability, longevity and exceptional attention to detail.


We continually test and adopt the latest professional products to ensure we remain at the forefront of this specialist trade.


Your kitchen is in the hands of experienced professionals who genuinely care about achieving a flawless, lasting finish.


Is there a guarantee?


Yes. We stand firmly behind the quality and durability of our work. The premium paint system we use cures to form a tough, hard-wearing surface designed for everyday kitchen use.

We offer a free touch-up service should any issues arise, giving you complete peace of mind.


Can I repaint my kitchen in the future?


Absolutely. The beauty of paint is flexibility. You can refresh and update whenever you choose.


What other services do you offer?


We also paint tiles, house doors, garage doors, furniture, walls and woodwork. If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help.

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