we're slowly but surely remodeling the house and one of the things i'd love to change are the kitchen cabinets. the face of the cabinets are medium colored solid wood (pine probably) with some kind of pressboard for the shelves and exposed sides, protected by a clear finish, most likely polyeurathane (sp?). i would like something lighter in color to open up the room but don't want to spend/haven't got the money to get them refaced or replaced. i was hoping i could paint them w/o stripping off the poly first (messy and involved job, toxic chemicals and all that jazz).
anyway, i've looked on-line and have found tips/instuctions on how-to but everyone i've asked personally tells me any painted cabinets they've seen have looked crappy and the old finish tends to bleed through the paint eventually. do any of you have experience with this? can you help me with some tips on how to do this the right way? if it's even possible, that is.

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Trees give peace to the souls of men * Nora Waln

The forest would be very quiet if no other birds sang than those who sing the best * Henry van Dyke

some fairly sordid tales, rambles, and anecdotes
Hypothetically Speaking * Something More * Cammy Interrupted * An Experimental Vacation * Masked * so..damn..hot * Thank You * My toy, his idea * no.19 Maple Lane * I Have A Surprise For You * Yesterday * In a Quiet Kitchen * help me decide * untitled prose * more untitled prose