Dear Debbie,

While talking to a friend of mine, he said that instead of changing my kitchen cupboard doors, I should try painting them.

He mentioned that while watching one of your programmes, a type of chrome paint was used on some cupboard doors.

Could you please give me some more information?

Viv

Our Shopping Expert replies:

Hi there Viv,

Paint is quite the cheapest and best way of updating any part of your house. Whether on walls or woodwork, a fresh lick of paint not only freshens up tired interiors, but if you get the colour right, it can give any room a contemporary feel. However, kitchen cupboards are slightly more complicated than other parts of the house, because they have to take so much wear and tear.

As far as I know, there are no actual 'chrome' paints on the market, but there are several manufacturers of silver paint which would give a very similar look.

If you want a really long-lasting finish then I'd suggest using a specialist metallic spray paint called 'Precatalast lacquer' made by a company called Morrells. This works on a similar principle to car spray paint, but is cellulose-based and consequently suitable for wood rather than metal. You'll need to prime the cupboards first using either a wood or melamine primer and then spray the silver paint on. Contact the Morrells sales line on (0870) 5606 162. Or you can buy both the primer and the spray paint from paint specialists Foxell and James who are based in Farringdon Road, London. Call on (020) 7405 0152 for more information.

You could also paint the silver paint on with a brush, but this would not be so hard-wearing. Several companies sell acrylic (water-based) metallic paints, including Polyvine and Dulux.

Prime the cupboards first and then paint with Polyvine's 'acrylic metallic' in silver. Finish with a coat of 'Polyvine lacquer'. See Polyvine, or contact them on (0870) 787 3710 for details of your nearest stockist.

Finally, if you want to freshen up your melamine cupboard doors but aren't wedded to the idea of silver or chrome, then International Paints sell a range of products designed to make the job of re-decorating simple. First use their Melamine Primer (750ml, £9.99) to key the surface and then overcoat with International High Performance Melamine Paint (750ml, £8.99). Try Coconut, Vanilla, Lavender Mist, Blueberry, Jade or Seaspray.

Alternatively, paint the cupboards with new 'One Coat Melamine Paint' (750ml, £12.99), available in White, Porcelain, Sunshine, Antique Cream, Spice, Pampas, Willow, Blue Haze. It is specially formulated to provide a high quality scratch-resistant satin finish in just one coat.

International Paints are sold at all major DIY superstores. See International Paints or call (01480) 484 284 for details of your nearest stockists.

Enjoy your decorating!

Debbie