Replacing kitchen cabinets costs $5,000 to $15,000. Retiling a bathroom runs $3,000 to $8,000. For most Melbourne homeowners, a full renovation is not in the budget — but a dramatic transformation still is. The Dulux Renovation Range is a line of specialty coatings designed to paint over existing kitchen cabinets, bathroom tiles, benchtops, and floors without ripping anything out.
At Modernize Solutions, we are Dulux Specialists who have completed over 1,000 painting projects across Melbourne. This guide covers everything you need to know about the Dulux Renovation Range — what it does, what it costs, what surfaces it works on, and where it falls short.
What Is the Dulux Renovation Range?
The Dulux Renovation Range is a collection of five specialty products designed to paint surfaces that standard house paint cannot adhere to — laminate, melamine, ceramic tiles, and similar hard, non-porous materials.
The five products in the range are:
- Dulux Renovation Range Primer — bonds to laminate, melamine, tiles, and similar surfaces to create a base for topcoats
- Dulux Renovation Range Cabinet Doors — a hard-wearing topcoat for kitchen cupboard doors, drawers, and panels (gloss and satin finishes)
- Dulux Renovation Range Tiles & Benchtops — designed for wall tiles, splashback tiles, and laminate benchtops (gloss and satin finishes)
- Dulux Renovation Range Floors — a durable floor coating for tiles and concrete (gloss and satin finishes)
- Dulux Renovation Range Clear Coat — a protective clear finish for benchtops and splashbacks exposed to heat or moisture (gloss and satin finishes)
The system follows a simple three-step process: Clean, Prime, Paint — with an optional Clear Coat for benchtops and splashbacks that need extra protection.
What Surfaces Can You Paint?
The Renovation Range covers four main surface categories. Understanding which product suits which surface is critical for a lasting finish.
Kitchen Cabinets
The most popular use. Dulux Renovation Range Cabinet Doors adheres to laminate, melamine, MDF, and timber cabinet surfaces. This includes cupboard doors, drawer fronts, and exposed panels. It is designed to resist the grease, steam, and daily handling that kitchen cabinets endure.
Bathroom and Kitchen Tiles
Dulux Renovation Range Tiles & Benchtops is formulated for ceramic and porcelain wall tiles, splashback tiles, and floor tiles. It works in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries — transforming dated tiles without the cost and disruption of retiling.
Benchtops
Laminate benchtops can be painted with Tiles & Benchtops, followed by a Clear Coat for added durability. This is ideal for budget kitchen makeovers where the benchtop is functional but outdated.
Floors
Dulux Renovation Range Floors is designed for tiled and concrete floors. It is a harder-wearing formula that handles foot traffic, though it will still show wear faster than purpose-built floor coatings in very high-traffic areas.
What You Should NOT Paint With It
The Renovation Range has clear limitations. Ignoring these is the fastest way to end up with a peeling, failed finish.
Surfaces to Avoid
- Shower recesses — constant water exposure will cause the paint to fail
- Exterior surfaces — the range is interior-only; use Dulux Weathershield for outdoor work
- Underfloor heated surfaces — heat causes the coating to soften and delaminate
- Natural stone — marble, granite, and similar stone surfaces are not suitable substrates
- Surfaces exposed to constant submersion — sinks, baths, and pools
If your project involves any of these surfaces, speak to a professional painter before starting. There may be a better product or approach available.
The Step-by-Step Process
Every successful Renovation Range project follows the same four steps. Cutting corners on preparation is the number one reason painted cabinets and tiles fail — and it is the reason the product has mixed reviews online from DIY attempts.
Step 1: Clean
Thoroughly clean all surfaces with sugar soap or a degreaser. Kitchen cabinets accumulate years of grease and grime that will prevent paint from bonding. Every surface must be clean, dry, and free of contaminants.
Step 2: Prime
Apply one coat of Dulux Renovation Range Primer. This is the bonding layer — it creates the adhesion between the existing surface and your topcoat. Allow 16 hours drying time before topcoating. A light sand between coats improves the finish.
Step 3: Paint
Apply two coats of your chosen Renovation Range topcoat (Cabinet Doors, Tiles & Benchtops, or Floors). Allow 16 hours between coats. Use a high-quality roller for flat surfaces and a good brush for edges and detailed areas.
Step 4: Clear Coat (Optional)
For benchtops and splashbacks that are exposed to heat, moisture, or heavy daily use, apply Dulux Renovation Range Clear Coat over the finished topcoat for added protection.
Professional Tip
The full cure time for Dulux Renovation Range is 7 to 14 days. During this period, avoid placing heavy objects on surfaces, wiping with cleaning products, or exposing to excessive moisture. Treat painted surfaces gently for the first two weeks and they will reward you with years of durability.
Product Breakdown and Costs
Here is what each product in the Dulux Renovation Range costs and covers. Prices are approximate retail (as of 2026) and may vary between stockists.
| Product | Price (1L) | Coverage | Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primer | ~$78 | 12m²/L | N/A |
| Cabinet Doors | $82–$110 | 12m²/L | Gloss, Satin |
| Tiles & Benchtops | $89–$108 | 10–12m²/L | Gloss, Satin |
| Floors | $89–$107 | 10–12m²/L | Gloss, Satin |
| Clear Coat | ~$89 | 12m²/L | Gloss, Satin |
For a standard Melbourne kitchen with 15 to 20 cabinet doors, expect to spend roughly $200 to $400 on Dulux Renovation Range products (primer + two coats of Cabinet Doors). That includes primer and topcoat for all doors, drawer fronts, and panels.
Painting vs Replacing — The Cost Comparison
The numbers tell the story. For Melbourne homeowners weighing up whether to renovate or refresh, painting with the Dulux Renovation Range is the most cost-effective way to transform a kitchen or bathroom.
Kitchen Cabinets
| Option | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Paint cabinets (DIY with Dulux Renovation Range) | $200–$400 |
| Paint cabinets (professional painter) | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Replace cabinets (new cabinetry + install) | $5,000–$15,000+ |
Bathroom Tiles
| Option | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Paint tiles (DIY with Dulux Renovation Range) | $150–$300 |
| Paint tiles (professional painter) | $800–$2,000 |
| Retile bathroom (remove + supply + install) | $3,000–$8,000+ |
Budget Kitchen Makeover
Painting your kitchen cabinets, updating the handles, and adding a fresh splashback coat can completely transform a dated kitchen for under $500 in materials — or under $5,000 with a professional painter handling the lot. Compare that to $15,000+ for new cabinetry alone.
DIY vs Hiring a Professional Painter
The Dulux Renovation Range is marketed as a DIY product, and it can deliver good results in capable hands. But the product’s mixed reviews online — it sits at roughly 2.3 out of 5 on ProductReview — tell a consistent story: the failures almost always come down to poor surface preparation.
Common DIY mistakes include:
- Insufficient cleaning — grease residue prevents the primer from bonding
- Skipping the primer — without it, the topcoat has nothing to grip
- Painting too thick — heavy coats trap solvents and cause bubbling
- Not allowing cure time — using surfaces too soon causes the finish to mark and scratch
A professional painter eliminates these risks. Proper preparation, correct application technique, and the right tools produce a smoother, more durable finish that lasts years longer than a rushed DIY attempt.
At Modernize Solutions, we have completed over 1,000 projects across Melbourne as Dulux Specialists. We know how to get the best possible result from these products — because we use them correctly, every time. If you want a kitchen or bathroom transformation that looks and feels like new, get in touch for a free quote.
Is the Dulux Renovation Range Worth It?
Yes — with a caveat. The product works well when applied correctly on suitable surfaces with thorough preparation. It is not a shortcut, and it is not forgiving of poor technique. But for the right project, it delivers a genuine transformation at a fraction of the cost of replacing cabinets, tiles, or benchtops.
For homeowners confident in their preparation skills, DIY is a viable option. For everyone else — or for projects where the finish needs to be flawless — hiring a professional painter is the smarter investment. The cost difference between DIY and professional is small compared to the cost of stripping a failed finish and starting over.
Ready to Transform Your Kitchen or Bathroom?
Whether you are planning a budget kitchen makeover or a full bathroom refresh, we would love to help. As Dulux Specialists with over 1,000 completed projects across Melbourne, we know how to get the best result from the Renovation Range — and every other Dulux product in the lineup.
Get a Free Quote
Phone: 0451 040 396
Email: admin@modernizesolutions.com.au
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