wyndhy, alot of good advise on here! I agree with scotzoid about using Kilz! best primer there is! go for it and take it from there!

Lilith, beautiful doors! looks like a very nice kitchen!

On the subject of smelly paint...OK, scotz mentioned Kilz and it's smell and I never actually tried this with the primer...but wait, I'm getting the cart before the horse. Um...ok...When I paint, if I can't do it all outside, I'll put 2-3 drops of "pure vanilla" in the paint before I stir it. It really cuts down on the odor of the paint and doesn't tint it any other color than what I have. I never used pure white paint before so I would check for tinting before I put it in the the entire can. It may help with the Kilz...but to be honest, I never thought to try it.

Tinting the primer to match the final color is a most excellent idea. I didn't do so before I painted all my woodwork in the dining room and I'm kicking myself to this day!

Good luck wyndhy and BIGbad!

thanks lixy. great tip about the vanilla!

I'd just like to add that kilz isn't just a bad smell, it's more like toxic fumes. We used some in a closet and had to paint a little then retreat to fresh air, but it did work really good.

actually, with the kids around, i'd use anything a little less effective, putting on two or three coats, before i went with stuff that had more a noxious odor. i checked out that kilz (love that name :D) and it's certainly effective but there are other products that are a little less give-you-a-mind-numbing-headachey. thank you all again for the tips..

Last I checked Kilz had come out with a water-based latex version, haven't had a chance to try it but that might be less noxious...in any case, if the kitchen area can be ventilated well, it shouldn't be a big problem...ALL paints give off potentially toxic fumes, and when painting an enclosed area like Aqua was doing, taking a fresh air break is always a good idea...