Colin's blog

Cornish Pilot Racing Gigs are historically based competitive rowing boats (more of the history here). Gig racing has experienced a resurgence in popularity lately, and at the annual championships on the Isles of Scilly last year saw over 100 entrants. I have been doing work for Gig builder Brian Nobbs for a number of years and am painting his current projects.

When painting joinery that has external corners on it like doors or windows, it is important that your painter decorator uses sandpaper to rub-off the corner - or Arris - so that the paint will maintain its thickness at these vulnerable area's.

This is inspired by an excellent article I came across on the Tim Hunkin website written by professor F.T. Evans.
Ever since the human race came out of the trees, we've been learning to manipulate the material world by thinking through our hands.

Is it all worth it?
Almost all modern kitchens are mass-produced items which are designed to be thrown away at the end of their life rather like electrical goods. Filling land-fill up with chipboard is not ideal, but if your doors have worn out then a closer inspection of your cabinets may decide whether you need to replace the whole kitchen or not. Chances are the work top needs replacing too.

Adhesion
A coating of paint bonds to the substrate by either gripping the surface (mechanical ), or being attracted to the surface at a molecular level (chemical). A chemical bond is made by a coating that has molecules that are extremely attracted to other molecules. This attraction depends on how ‘energetic’ the molecules on the surface of the substrate are.

To strip or not to strip?
Once you have decided, at least in theory, what is on the cabinets, you have to decide whether to strip the existing finish off or paint over the top. Stripping the paint off and starting again is always going to make a better job, but stripping paint from cabinets is very hard work and extremely messy, not to mention possibly requiring some noxious chemicals.

Painting your old kitchen cabinet doors could be a great way to spruce up your kitchen without spending too much money. And given that it can usually be a very labour intensive project, if you are prepared to do it yourself it could save you even more. But hold on there a minute! Make sure you understand the ins and outs before you start work.