How to Remove Film from MDF Kitchen Facade and Paint © What to consider when choosing

Partial restoration of kitchen facades allows you to update the interior, make it fresher, and visually attractive. Replacing a kitchen unit can be quite expensive, so you can only update the facade. This restoration technology will help change the appearance of the furniture, while its main parts will remain old, which will significantly save on replacing cabinets.

Self-adhesive film was used to restore the facades. There are times when it begins to come off: if the MDF film has peeled off in the kitchen, you should not rush to replace it with a new one. The film often peels off due to humidity, temperature changes, steam, and the use of low-quality glue.

You should not be surprised if peeling occurs quite quickly, even during loading after manufacture or when the product has a short lifespan. The film peels off from MDF facades for the following reasons:

The glue is not applied to the entire surface. When the substance is applied manually, the worker often misses sections of the product and the film does not stick to them. You can solve the problem by using colored glue.
Using a cheap, poor quality substance. Quite often a two-component polyurethane composition is used. It is quite difficult to mix it in the correct proportion, so the glue hardens incorrectly and does not hold well, and bubbles may appear on the film.
Using expired glue. When using such a material, the film will stick, but will peel off fairly quickly.
Insufficient temperature during gluing, as a result of which the connection did not go well enough. There can be many reasons: poorly heated film, the vacuum was applied too early, the adhesive layer was thin, the workpieces for the facades were cold, it could have been cold in the workroom, the film was not pressed well enough, due to a weak vacuum supply, the wrong adhesive was chosen, the composition of which does not come into contact with a specific film. The facades themselves could also be used incorrectly: for example, they were located next to heating appliances, a stove, or sources of moisture. Before purchasing, it is important to find out how to properly care for furniture and for what conditions it was made.

Expert opinion
Viktor Fedorovich Strebizh, leading construction foreman

Approximately, as I said, from the edge, 3-4 centimeters between the glued part of the MDF and the film, there were small shavings with some kind of dust or dirt, and it was from this part that the film began to lag behind. If you want to clarify something, please contact me!

Using self-adhesive film is a great way to update your kitchen set

A good quality kitchen set can last for decades. But time passes, and the shine of the new furniture fades, stains, chips and scratches appear, and your favorite set or any of its cabinets are no longer pleasing.

There are two ways out of this situation: do some repairs and buy new furniture, or update existing cabinets and pencil cases. Moreover, in the second case, the cost of the issue will be minimal, and you will not have to deal with rearrangements. All you need is decorative self-adhesive film.

Unlimited possibilities of self-adhesive film

Kitchens covered with film look impressive both in photos and in real life. Surfaces are updated using vinyl or other film. The range of this material is amazing in its diversity, and the price pleases with its affordable price.

Decorative “self-adhesive” imitates:

natural wood of different species;
natural stone;
ceramics and tile texture;
leather and fabric.

In the photo - imitation wood.
Its texture can resemble patterned silk, a colorful tapestry or cute chintz. The material is produced in matte and glossy versions. There are films with holographic and mirror patterns. And all this can be combined with each other, creating interesting effects, changing an ordinary kitchen cabinet beyond recognition, as in the photo below.

The price of the film depends on the manufacturer and the decorative surface.

Vinyl “self-adhesive” is quite practical because it:

not afraid of moisture;
does not fade in the sun;
does not respond to temperature changes.

With its help, you can completely update the design of both the kitchen and the bathroom, transform the kitchen cabinet or the entire set.

Adhesive film is a good budget replacement for a full-fledged repair. Of course, you need certain knowledge and skills, but the video will help you quickly understand the intricacies of the process.

Which film should I choose?

First of all, you need to look at the thickness of the material and the manufacturer. German “self-adhesive” tapes are of good quality; their price depends on the thickness.

Dutch and Italian manufacturers have proven themselves to be excellent. You can choose something from budget series or take a closer look at exclusive products, but then the price will be quite high.

The most inexpensive are Chinese adhesive decorative materials from unknown manufacturers. However, low price should not be the main selection criterion, otherwise a beautiful kitchen decorated with self-adhesive vinyl film can quickly lose its appearance.

Not all adhesive materials intended for promotional products can be used in the interior. Some of them are designed for short-term use. Choose high-quality decor, and then the restoration will be durable, and a simple kitchen cabinet will become an interior decoration.

The color can be any. If you want to take a creative approach to kitchen design, place photos of fruits, vegetables or flowers on the facades, thereby decorating ordinary old furniture. The drawing can also be applied using photo printing.

How to choose the right material for new facades

Replacing kitchen facades most often requires only preliminary design planning, material and color selection on your part (everything else, as a rule, is taken care of by specialists). The durability, functionality and attractiveness of the set depends on what material the door is made of. Naturally, this also affects costs. There are several solutions – more or less popular and budget-friendly:

Replacing facades with chipboard products is considered the most budget-friendly procedure. The material, made on the basis of resin and wood shavings, is considered quite capricious, but is still wear-resistant. The service life of such furniture is about 10 years, but provided that the purchased products have certificates of quality and hygienic safety. Otherwise, in almost a year the chipboard will begin to swell or crumble, and the protective film will deteriorate.

Have you decided to change the facades by installing MDF doors on the furniture? They will last about 7 years.

MDF is an artificial material that is quite attractive in appearance - it is much lighter and cheaper than natural wood. Such designs will become a real decoration of the set - after all, you can order MDF with photo printing or material with an unrivaled glossy effect.

Among the advantages of the material are the stability of fastenings, resistance to many external influences (moisture, temperatures, mechanical wear), immunity to bacteria, and ease of care (you can not only wash, but also clean with mild abrasive agents).

Replacing kitchen facades with modern plastic is also an excellent solution, since it is a wear-resistant material that remains in its original form for a long time.

The fronts of kitchen furniture do not necessarily have to be solid - they can be made of glass or with glass inserts. Often, decorated glass is chosen for a classic set - with thematic patterns or abstract patterns, and for a modern Scandinavian-style kitchen, transparent or semi-matte white glass is suitable. Glass can also be darkened, painted, or corrugated. Among the advantages of such facades is resistance to external pollution and chemicals.

Advice! In a house where there are children, you can use an alternative - plexiglass. Its main characteristics are light weight and immunity to mechanical damage.

If your budget allows, then an excellent option is solid wood facades. If such products are too expensive, then they can be replaced with veneered structures that completely preserve all the nobility of the wood texture.

Replacing kitchen furniture facades also requires choosing a texture. So, an option with a protective glossy film will look attractive, but at the same time remain budget-friendly. Painted matte surfaces are presentable and stylish, but they require special care, without which their surface will quickly become stained.

Framed facades, which allow you to combine two or more materials on one door, can become an impeccable decoration of the set. Moldings and cutters on furniture facades can be very different, you will have plenty to choose from.

Technology of pasting furniture with polymer films

If you decide to update your kitchen furniture using self-adhesive film, then first prepare the base. It should be understood that the decorative covering will not hide potholes and bumps, it will only disguise the stains, so all unevenness must be removed before pasting. A video with tips will simplify the workflow.

12 rules for working with self-adhesive tape

The fittings and doors must be removed, and each kitchen cabinet (facades and frame) must be inspected for the presence of depressions and bulges.
If there are defects on the furniture, all irregularities are filled with putty and sanded well.
To calculate material consumption, you will need measurements of all parts of the kitchen unit. You need to carefully measure all the parts that you plan to paste over.
All dimensions are transferred to the back side of the film. It is usually made of white paper, on which the drawn lines are clearly visible.
When cutting, you should always leave a margin of about 1 cm. This will help in your work: if you start gluing the vinyl at the wrong angle, the margin will make it possible to correct the situation. All excess is easily cut off with a breadboard knife.
Decorative self-adhesive film is cut with a stationery knife, curved lines are cut out with scissors.
Then you need to degrease all the surfaces to be decorated so that the “self-adhesive” does not come off over time. Window cleaning liquid or other products are suitable for this. Grease stains need to be treated especially carefully so that the decorative finish does not come off.
Pasting of kitchen units is carried out on a dry and clean surface, otherwise the “self-adhesive” will begin to bubble and peel off from the base.
The film must be applied evenly.
The backing is removed in several stages: first, only a few centimeters are peeled off, after gluing them, a little more is removed, and so on until the entire panel covers the part to be decorated.
Smooth out the plastic decor from the middle to the edges. Air bubbles must be removed during operation. It is convenient to work with a plastic scraper, stroking the surface with a soft cloth.
Small air inclusions are removed with a needle. The finished part can be processed through the fabric with a warm iron.

Difficulties in work and their solutions

Problems often arise with processing the ends and shaped parts of kitchen units made of MDF or other material. An industrial or household hair dryer will be a good helper in this case.

The restoration will go faster if you work together: one person stretches the material by heating it with a hairdryer, the other carefully glues it to the base.

It is easier to apply the self-adhesive tape evenly on a damp surface. To do this, lightly moisten cabinets and doors with a spray bottle. Water will not allow the material to immediately grasp the surface and will provide an opportunity to correct the work.

When cutting the material, you need to make allowances on each side. For parts with ends, do not forget to make cuts in the corners. First, they paste over the part itself, and then proceed to the ends. The rounded ends of MDF facades are treated with a hairdryer for a better fit.

Painting MDF: how and what to paint facades and panels with | WoodSchool

Acrylic - they are quickly erased and destroyed under the influence of vinegar and acids contained in products. Acrylic solutions do not tolerate dampness and heat well. If handled with care, they will last a long time if there is no sink or stove nearby. They have a wide palette. Non-toxic. Aerosols and mixtures are available for application by brush and roller.
Oil-based, alkyd enamel - they are toxic and not intended for areas where food is prepared. Drying oils and varnish create an unpleasant odor even at room temperature. They are a fire hazard. Their performance is worse than that of their analogues. They don't hold up well and take a long time to dry.
Water-based - easily washed off with water.
Auto enamel - well suited for damp rooms with constant temperature and humidity changes. Does not fade and withstands loads well. The aerosol strengthens the structure and protects it from destruction, making the surface more elastic. Available only in cans. Colors can be mixed to create new shades.

How to treat the surface → Room decoration → How to choose the right paint → Surface treatment technologies → Leveling and finishing the walls → Selecting and applying a primer → Removal from the surface → Stretch ceilings and technologies → Reviews and testimonials

Restoration of facades with decorative film

The appearance of the kitchen largely depends on the cladding of the facades. If your kitchen has smooth doors without a relief made of chipboard, then they can be easily covered with vinyl film.

Updating kitchen MDF facades with convexes will be easier if you use an industrial hair dryer. Only a well-heated film can take the desired shape. If there are decorative details on the facades, they must be removed before pasting.

Replacement of the old film is carried out only after removing the previous layer. Remember that decorative film is only applied to prepared surfaces.

It should be taken into account that in production, MDF film facades pass through a special press, which makes it possible to obtain a smooth surface without flaws. At home, MDF can only be covered with self-adhesive.

Options for “new things”

Since the set itself is not yet falling apart, it is necessary to update the facades. This will benefit both the appearance and protect the material from moisture. There are two options for updating facades:

Ready-made self-adhesive film
Individual photo printing on adhesive paper

The owner of this kitchen settled on the second option, after which he indulged in thinking about the topic of photo printing. The original option with a separate picture for each door was rejected: the overall look would be too colorful. After some more thought, it was decided to choose a print with nature, “breaking” it with an apron would not affect the perception of the picture.

When searching for a suitable print, the picture should be selected with the maximum resolution - only in this case it will not be blurry.

Interior renovation using film

Designers love polymer films. They have good plasticity and decorative properties; with their help you can quickly update almost any surface. Material suitable for decoration:

tiles in the bathroom or kitchen;
wall panels;
doors;
different furniture.

Films are available in different colors, with and without patterns. With their help, you can update your kitchen set and change old furniture in your home without extra costs. After all, the price of even the most expensive film will be cheaper than a new headset.

Restoring tiles using vinyl is not difficult. It is important to choose the right drawing here. Delicate chintz designs or films with textured embossing are suitable for the kitchen.

Complete the design with a decorative kitchen apron. Its restoration using film usually does not cause difficulties. The main thing is to carefully read the instructions on the roll.

Before gluing the tiles in the bathroom, you need to carefully prepare the surface - degrease it well. Otherwise, the film will quickly peel off.

Photo

Now we invite you to look at a few more photos with updating the facades of the headset at minimal cost.

What to do if the film comes off?

It will take time to reupholster kitchen MDF facades. And I don’t really want the film to come off after a month or two and the film on the headset or cabinet to peel off. If you follow the gluing technology and operating rules, this should not happen.

But if in some places the film moves away from the base, it can be glued. You will need a syringe and glue (for example, “Moment” or “Titan”). It is inserted under the film and pressed into the restoration site.

With the help of adhesive-based films, you can give a new breath to MDF kitchen facades and kitchen units made of any material. An ordinary, neatly papered cabinet and set looks quite aesthetically pleasing. Follow the instructions and enjoy the results of your work.

Source: idealkuhnya.ru

The film on the kitchen door has come off, what should I do?

Remove all the fittings from the sashes, then remove the facades themselves.
The finishing layer is completely removed and the surface is cleaned with sandpaper.
The material is primed - it is recommended to use a water-based polyurethane primer. The procedure should be repeated and wait for the primer to dry completely.
Apply paint using a roller and brushes of different sizes. The paint must be applied in several layers, first allowing each layer to dry completely. The carved parts of the product are especially carefully painted. Using a stencil, you can create a pattern, ornament or image on the sash.
When restoring the facade, do not forget about the final stage - varnishing. No matter how good the enamel is, varnish will prevent its mechanical damage.

Benefits of façade renovation

The glue is not applied to the entire surface. When the substance is applied manually, the worker often misses sections of the product and the film does not stick to them. You can solve the problem by using colored glue.
Using a cheap, poor quality substance. Quite often a two-component polyurethane composition is used. It is quite difficult to mix it in the correct proportion, so the glue hardens incorrectly and does not hold well, and bubbles may appear on the film.
Using expired glue. When using such a material, the film will stick, but will peel off fairly quickly.
Insufficient temperature during gluing, as a result of which the connection did not go well enough. There can be many reasons: poorly heated film, the vacuum was applied too early, the adhesive layer was thin, the workpieces for the facades were cold, it could have been cold in the workroom, the film was not pressed well enough, due to a weak vacuum supply, the wrong adhesive was chosen, the composition of which does not come into contact with a specific film. The facades themselves could also be used incorrectly: for example, they were located next to heating appliances, a stove, or sources of moisture. Before purchasing, it is important to find out how to properly care for furniture and for what conditions it was made.

Film characteristics

There are two main methods used in production:

calendering PVC, heated to a certain temperature, is passed through a system of rollers. The output is sheets of thin plastic of good quality;
casting. This option allows you to obtain structured film for decorating tables, armchairs, and cabinets.

Regardless of the manufacturing method, polyvinyl chloride is a reliable protection for the doors of kitchen, office and children's furniture. Accidental drops of your favorite drink or juice will not lead to the destruction of wood fibers. The set can be used for decades without replacing facades or countertops. Windows, door blocks, ceiling or floor plinths are designed using the same principle.

thickness - 0.15 - 0.8 mm;
roll width - 1400 mm, length - from 100 to 500 m;
surface - glossy, matte or textured;
you can choose to imitate wood, natural stone, marble, granite with 3D effects, patina, embossing, silk-screen printing, gold and silver printing;
color scheme - RAL palette with many tints and additions.

The service life is determined by the quality of the source material. On average, the film lasts 2-10 years. It is quite tough, durable and elastic. If furniture doors and shelves are constantly wiped with a damp cloth, the outer coating will sooner or later peel off from the facade. Loss of attractiveness is guaranteed. To prevent this from happening, self-adhesive with various patterns is applied to the surface.

How to fix the problem?

If the film on the facade of the MDF kitchen has peeled off , you need to carefully spread it with glue from the edge and press it down. There is a chance that the film will take the desired shape. Another way to restore the coating is to use an adhesive membrane. To do this, you will need to lay the boards on a dry and flat surface, for example, on a table, cover them with a membrane, and use a vacuum. The membrane should tightly cover the facades. If you want greater reliability, you need to use high-quality glue and heat the material so that it can be activated. Warming up should be done evenly. This method is suitable only for unmilled facades: if the surface is uneven, the membrane will not stick and will quickly peel off. Therefore, it is so important to correctly restore kitchen facades while observing certain conditions.

Using heating devices

If the PVC film peels off from MDF kitchen facades, you can try replacing it with a new film or gluing the old material in place using available electrical appliances. This could be an iron, a powerful home or construction hair dryer. The film needs to be carefully warmed up: it should become quite soft and blurry, but not start to melt. If you have something to try, use these pieces or on an inconspicuous place on the façade. The device is pressed against the edge that is not glued for a few seconds. The film should stretch, the glue should warm up at this moment, and the material should protrude towards the back side of the facade and adhere firmly. If this can be done, then it will be possible to glue the entire facade in this way, in places where the film has retreated.

Advice: the film itself cannot be heated with a hairdryer at close range, as this will curl it and be damaged.

This DIY restoration of kitchen facades requires some skill, but is quite simple to perform and does not require the use of expensive tools or materials. If the inside and corners are poorly glued, you can use a metal rod comparable in size to the frame. First you need to warm it up. For this, you can use, for example, a gas burner.

Restoring coating using friction

Restoring kitchen facades from MDF using this method does not require any available tools at all. In order to glue the separated section of the film, you need to cover it with a rag and start rubbing it with your fingers, pressing the film. If there is adhesive underneath, the temperature from friction in a small area will be enough to activate a chemical reaction and cause the film to stick.

Advice: this method should be used carefully, as there is a high risk of damaging the film, exposing its edge or removing the top layer, which will ruin the appearance of the coating.

Application of glue

Restoring a glossy kitchen can cause some difficulties, since gloss does not tolerate strong physical impact, which is why it should not be roughly rubbed with your fingers or heated closely with any appliances. You can try a safer method - gluing the separated film using “Moment”. Most often, such a film peels off in the kitchen, since it is not affected by hot steam. It is necessary to restore the coating as quickly as possible, otherwise the furniture itself will be damaged. The glue must be applied to the untreated area of the facade and to the film itself along the edge so that it can isolate the seam from negative influences. All this must be done carefully, as the glue easily sticks and gets dirty.

Conclusion: inexpensive do-it-yourself kitchen restoration is quite accessible; it is advisable to look at photos of the finished results in advance. With a careful and competent approach, you can easily restore the appearance of the kitchen without resorting to replacing parts and without spending money and completely replace the facades.

Source: obzorkuhni.ru

A set of simple measures to revive a boring kitchen with “little loss”

Editor's note: article from the "most popular" section. First published in 2015, updated in 2019

Whatever it is: big or small, cozy or not so cozy, we spend a lot of time in the kitchen and exploit it mercilessly. It is not surprising that the interior here quickly “wears out” morally and physically - and even faster than in other rooms. However, undertaking a full-fledged renovation every time you get bored with the kitchen is too expensive and difficult. So it makes sense to think about how to breathe new life into an old kitchen without serious effort and investment.

Step 1: Rethink Cleaning

First, throw away everything unnecessary and wash the rest. Look around: perhaps, at first, this result will satisfy you.

While cleaning, think about what you find boring the most. This will prompt the initial plan of action: tired of pale - add color, if the crowding of things is annoying, try to unload the surfaces, etc.

Step 2: Updating the facades

What to do if you no longer like the main organizing center - the kitchen set, which, as luck would have it, is in such good condition that buying a new one is simply reckless.

By the way:

Order new fronts for the old kitchen (you can partially, just the bottom or just a couple of drawers).

At the same time, take the opportunity to correct possible shortcomings made during the repair. For example, if the kitchen seems visually too heavy and overwhelming with its solidity, you can try combining doors of different colors. Say, dark bottom, light top, or any two colors in a checkerboard pattern

Advice:

try decorating the facades with self-adhesive film or even just bright stickers - an example in the photo above. We advise you to choose a current ornament. For example, something in the spirit of the 1970s, the popularity of this style is only gaining momentum.

The fronts can be completely removed, at least from some cabinets - let the shelves be open in some places. Take them off, but don't throw them away: you may want to return them after a while. Still, open shelves are only good if you can maintain perfect order on them. Idea with photo: the owner of the apartment painted the featureless beige wall of the kitchen module with acrylic.

Step 3. Make a new apron

You can change the look of an old kitchen backsplash without having to deal with messy tiling work. There are a lot of options, but all of them are either temporary or cost more than a full-fledged repair with knocking down the tiles and laying new ones.

The tiled splashback can be repainted, although not as radically as the owners of this Berlin apartment in the photo.
You can apply decorative stickers. But they and the paint are only good for areas away from the stove - otherwise they will peel off.
You can cover the old tiles with glass (skinali), for example from plain lacquered glass. They will cover the old tiles perfectly, but the cost per square meter of a new backsplash is steep.