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

Frequently asked Questions

Do we clean the kitchen?

Yes, we always clean the kitchen before painting. We use a specialised de-greaser to remove any grease or residue, ensuring the surfaces are properly prepared before sanding and painting.


Do you sand? 

Absolutely! We carefully sand all cabinets and drawers using a professional dustless sanding system designed to remove imperfections and create a perfectly smooth surface. This advanced system captures dust at the source, preventing it from circulating through your home. You won’t find sanding dust settling on floors, furniture, or drifting into other rooms.


We also sand between every coat to ensure a flawless, high-quality finish. The result is a beautifully smooth surface without the mess traditionally associated with sanding.


Do you prime?

Yes, we prime all surfaces before painting. We apply two topcoats of high-adhesion primer to ensure optimal bonding and long-lasting results. After priming, we caulk any unsightly gaps with a flexible, paintable acrylic caulk to ensure a smooth, flawless finish.


How many topcoats will be applied? 

We apply a minimum of two topcoats to ensure excellent coverage and rich colour. Lighter shades may need extra coats for a flawless, even finish.


What paint products do we use?

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


We start by priming all kitchen surfaces with an ultimate-performance, water-based primer-sealer. This high-hiding primer provides exceptional adhesion and acts as a stain killer and odour blocker, effectively sealing knots, sap streaks, and problem areas. Its ultra-low odour, low-VOC (<0.1%) formulation makes it safe for indoor use while delivering outstanding performance.


Once primed, we apply two coats of premium, water-based acrylic enamel — a next-generation, universal enamel designed for high durability and longevity. This advanced coating resists mechanical damage, yellowing, and sun exposure, and it remains neutral in odour during application.


Its durable, washable surface also withstands regular cleaning and household detergents, making it ideal for kitchen environments.

The result is a seamless, long-lasting finish that looks beautiful and is easy to clean and maintain.


We use only paints that are trusted within the kitchen and cabinet manufacturing industry as the leading choice for professional hand-finishing.


Will the paint chip? 

No, the paint we use is extremely hard-wearing and designed to resist chipping. Once cured, it forms an incredibly tough, durable film that can be cleaned, washed, and even scrubbed without damage.


In the rare instance that touch-ups are needed, we’re happy to return free of charge. 


Occasionally, minor chips can occur within the first few days before the paint has fully cured. To prevent this, we fit rubber door stoppers on the backs of all cupboard doors and drawers, ensuring they don’t touch the carcass while curing — these remain in place once set.


After completing your project, we re-pot and reseal any leftover paint for you and provide an Aftercare Leaflet with clear instructions on how to care for your kitchen during the curing period.


We take great pride in our service and are always just a phone call away if you ever need assistance.


Is the paint wipeable?

Yes, the paint we use is fully wipeable and highly durable. 


Our acrylic enamel finish is extremely resistant to cleaning, detergents, and everyday wear and tear. 


We recommend cleaning your cabinets with warm water and a mild washing-up liquid, then wiping down with a lint-free cloth. This gentle method easily removes food splashes, fingerprints, and water marks while keeping your finish looking flawless.


Can I choose my finish? 

Yes, you will have a choice between:

Matt - 10% Sheen

Satin - 40% Sheen

Gloss - 80% Sheen 


Can we choose other colour palettes? 

Yes, we just love Farrow & Balls colour palette! But we can colour match to any other brand.


Will I have help with colour choice?

Absolutely! We love helping with colours — it’s one of the best and most important parts of the process.


Our goal is to make sure you’re completely happy with the end result. When it comes to choosing colours, we always recommend ordering a colour fan from Farrow & Ball. They cost around £15, but worth it if you’re unsure which shades to choose, as the fan provides much larger than the free colour cards available in-store.


If you find any colours you like, feel free to send them over to us. We can check whether we’ve used them before and share examples — and if not, we’ll always find inspiration and guidance to help you visualise your perfect finish.
 


Will I be able to get sample pots?

You can pick sample pots up at your local Brewers store or order them from Farrow & Ball. They are £5.95 each online. 


When would you need my colour choice by? 

We will ask you for your colour choice the Tuesday before your job is booked in. 


Can we change the handles?

Yes, we can change handles. We ask for you to provide your own handles. There is no additional charge for handle replacement.


Can I change my worktops?

Yes. We offer Spray Granite, a natural granite effect resin system that creates stunning stone-effect surfaces using real granite flakes embedded in a water-based resin. This revolutionary four-step process offers a beautiful, cost-effective way to transform your kitchen or home surfaces with a bespoke, natural granite finish.


Spray Granite is available in 22 different colours, allowing us to tailor the look to suit your style perfectly. It’s an affordable way to update your home’s appearance and increase its value — ideal for homeowners seeking a durable, elegant solution. For more details and colour options, please visit the Spray Granite section on our homepage.


Looking for new worktops?
We highly recommend our skilled local joiner, Ian Ruiz at IR Joinery. With over 20 years of experience, Ian offers expert fitting of new worktops and all types of joinery work. Ian is reliable, knowledgeable, and well-respected in his area.

  • Facebook: IR Joinery Winsford Cheshire
  • Contact: 07703 411071


What if my cabinets have de-laminated? 

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


Do I have to empty my kitchen?

No, you don’t need to empty your entire kitchen. We only ask that you clear all surfaces and drawers, as well as any glass-fronted cupboards, since we paint inside those.


Can I use my kitchen while work is happening? 

Absolutely, we ask for you to be careful around the sink area when paint is drying. Each evening, we make sure to leave the kitchen area clear and fully usable for you.


How do you protect my work surface and flooring?

We use a hard surface floor protector and specially designed cardboard worktop protectors that remain in place throughout the entire project.


We avoid using dust sheets because they tend to trap dust and particles, which can become airborne when moved. Our method ensures your floors and work surfaces stay clean and well-protected.


Do I need to be home?

No, you don’t need to be home every day. We arrive between 8:00 am and 8:30 am to start work. We do ask that someone is available on the first day so we can introduce ourselves and discuss the project. 


After that, we can work independently in your home and securely return your key by post or any other arrangement that suits you. For your peace of mind, Daniel is fully DBS checked.


Do you do everything in-situ? 

Yes, we complete all the work within your home. We set up drying racks to safely place cabinets during the process, ensuring everything is handled carefully on-site.


Do you take off the cabinet doors?
Yes, we remove the cabinet doors and use drying racks to safely place them during the process. This allows us to access all parts of the kitchen that would otherwise be unreachable with the doors attached, ensuring a thorough and flawless finish.


Are you noisy on site? 

Absolutely not. We understand people work from home or may have small family members, so we keep noise to a minimum. 


Sprayed or hand painted? 

What a great question! We would say the difference between them both is your choice on what you want your kitchen to look like. Sprayed kitchens give a factory finish, while hand painted is a bespoke look. 


Sprayed kitchens are slightly more difficult to touch up, and cannot be repaired as conveniently if damaged. While in comparison, hand painted would be a slight sand and touch up with a brush or roller, on site. Hand painted kitchens do not require as much protection and sheeting up as when spraying a kitchen. The kitchen is still functional while we work. 


We do not deter clients away from sprayed kitchens, we can only inform you of the benefits of hand painting. We believe it is a personal choice. 


Of course, it takes longer to hand paint and most kitchens cannot be completed in a day, but the detail and finish when hand painted is worth the time and effort to create a beautiful finish. We use a combination of traditional painting with brush & roller and modern materials, so we create a truly stunning hand painted kitchen. 


Our experience?

Choosing the right specialist hand painter for your kitchen is about more than just the final look — it’s about the meticulous preparation, the high-quality products, and the years of skill and knowledge that go into every project. These factors are crucial to ensuring your hand-painted kitchen remains beautiful and durable for years to come.


With over 12 years of dedicated experience in hand painting kitchens, we have honed our craft to a fine art. Our team understands the unique challenges of this specialist trade and continually updates our skills by testing and adopting the latest products from leading brands. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail and commitment to excellence.


You can rest assured that your kitchen is in the hands of professionals who truly care about the quality and longevity of their work — and who will go the extra mile to achieve a flawless, lasting finish.


Is there a guarantee with the work?

Yes, we stand firmly behind the quality and durability of our work. The premium paint we use cures to form an exceptionally tough and hard-wearing finish that withstands everyday cleaning, washing, and scrubbing without damage. Our advanced primer ensures excellent adhesion, giving your kitchen a long-lasting, flawless appearance.


To give you complete peace of mind, we offer a free touch-up service should any issues arise. While problems are rare, this warranty reflects our confidence in our craftsmanship and commitment to your satisfaction. 


We want you to feel secure knowing that we’re here to support you long after the job is complete.


What happens to my deposit if I cancel?

We pride ourselves on being flexible and understanding—life and work schedules can change. If you need to reschedule your job, we will gladly transfer your deposit to the new date without issue.


Cancellation Policy
You have the right to cancel this transaction—or any part of the job—within 5 business days from the date the labour is agreed upon, provided that cancellation is made at least 14 full days before work is scheduled to start.

To cancel, please notify us via email and/or text message. Upon receiving your cancellation notice within this period, we will return 100% of any deposit paid within 10 business days.

If cancellation occurs after midnight of the 5th business day, the contractor will retain 10% of the total labour price (the deposit), plus any costs for non-refundable items already purchased (such as mixed colour paints).


Can I repaint my kitchen in the future?

Absolutely! It would be the same process again. The joy of paint! You can change as often as you like with us.


What other services do you offer? 

We paint tiles, house doors, garage doors, furniture, walls, and woodwork too. We offer all services of painting. 


If you have any more questions, feel free to message us and we will be happy to help.

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