Dulux Renovation Range — 5 Products in a Melbourne Painter's Complete Guide (2026)

The Dulux Renovation Range allows Melbourne homeowners to paint over existing kitchen cabinets, bathroom tiles, benchtops, and floors for a fraction of the replacement cost — a full set of kitchen cabinets can be painted for $200–$400 in product, compared to $5,000–$15,000 for new cabinetry. According to Dulux product specifications, the Renovation Range adheres to laminate, melamine, ceramic tiles, and similar non-porous surfaces when properly prepared and primed, with a full cure time of 7–14 days. 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 — Primer, Cabinet Doors, Tiles & Benchtops, Floors, and Clear Coat — designed to paint surfaces that standard house paint cannot adhere to, including laminate, melamine, and ceramic tiles, following a simple Clean-Prime-Paint process with a 7–14 day full cure time.

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.

According to Dulux product specifications, the Renovation Range Primer achieves a coverage rate of 12 square metres per litre and requires 16 hours drying time before topcoating. The full five-product system is designed to work as an integrated coating system — using non-Dulux primers or topcoats with Renovation Range products voids the manufacturer’s performance expectations and increases the risk of adhesion failure.

Key takeaway: The Dulux Renovation Range is a five-product system that allows Melbourne homeowners to paint over laminate, melamine, ceramic tiles, and similar non-porous surfaces — proper preparation and the full 7–14 day cure time are critical for a durable result.

What Surfaces Can You Paint With the Dulux Renovation Range?

The Renovation Range covers four main surface categories: kitchen cabinets (laminate, melamine, MDF, timber), bathroom and kitchen tiles (ceramic and porcelain), laminate benchtops, and tiled or concrete floors — each with a dedicated product formulated for that surface’s specific requirements.

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 Should You NOT Paint With the Dulux Renovation Range?

The Renovation Range is strictly interior-only and must not be used on shower recesses (constant water exposure), exterior surfaces, underfloor heated surfaces, natural stone (marble, granite), or any surface exposed to constant submersion such as sinks, baths, and pools.

The Renovation Range has clear limitations. Ignoring these is the fastest way to end up with a peeling, failed finish.

If your project involves any of these surfaces, speak to a professional painter before starting. There may be a better product or approach available.

What Is the Step-by-Step Dulux Renovation Range Process?

Every successful Renovation Range project follows four steps: Clean (sugar soap or degreaser), Prime (one coat of Renovation Range Primer with 16 hours drying), Paint (two coats of your chosen topcoat with 16 hours between coats), and optionally Clear Coat for benchtops and splashbacks exposed to heat or moisture.

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.

How Much Does Each Dulux Renovation Range Product Cost?

Each product in the Dulux Renovation Range costs $78–$110 per litre at retail (2026 pricing) and covers 10–12 square metres per litre. A standard Melbourne kitchen with 15–20 cabinet doors costs roughly $200–$400 in product for primer plus two coats of Cabinet Doors topcoat.

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.

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.

Is It Cheaper to Paint or Replace Kitchen Cabinets and Tiles?

Painting kitchen cabinets with the Dulux Renovation Range costs $200–$400 DIY or $1,500–$4,000 professionally, compared to $5,000–$15,000 for replacement cabinetry. Painting bathroom tiles costs $150–$300 DIY or $800–$2,000 professionally, compared to $3,000–$8,000 for retiling.

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

Bathroom Tiles

Should You DIY or Hire a Professional Painter for the Dulux Renovation Range?

The Dulux Renovation Range is marketed as a DIY product but has mixed online reviews (approximately 2.3 out of 5 on ProductReview) — the failures almost always trace back to poor surface preparation, with common DIY mistakes including insufficient cleaning, skipping the primer, painting too thick, and not allowing the full 7–14 day cure time.

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, but it is not a shortcut and is not forgiving of poor technique. For homeowners confident in their preparation skills, DIY is viable; for everyone else, hiring a professional painter is the smarter investment.

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.

According to the HIA (Housing Industry Association), kitchen and bathroom updates are among the highest-return renovation investments for Australian homeowners, and paint-based refreshes using products like the Dulux Renovation Range deliver a significant visual transformation at a fraction of the cost of full replacement. Modernize Solutions has completed over 1,000 projects across Melbourne as Dulux Specialists, with deep experience in the Renovation Range product system for kitchen cabinet, tile, and benchtop painting.

Key takeaway: Painting kitchen cabinets with the Dulux Renovation Range costs $200–$400 in materials (DIY) or $1,500–$4,000 professionally — compared to $5,000–$15,000 for replacement cabinetry, making it Melbourne’s most cost-effective kitchen transformation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid With the Dulux Renovation Range

• Skipping the Dulux Renovation Range Primer — the primer is the bonding layer between the existing surface and your topcoat; without it, the finish will peel within months regardless of topcoat quality
• Using non-Dulux primers or topcoats with Renovation Range products — the five-product system is designed to work as an integrated coating system, and mixing brands voids the manufacturer’s performance expectations and increases adhesion failure risk
• Not allowing the full 7–14 day cure time — placing heavy objects, wiping with cleaning products, or exposing surfaces to excessive moisture during the curing period will permanently damage the finish
• Attempting to paint shower recesses or constantly wet surfaces — the Renovation Range is not rated for constant water exposure and will fail rapidly in these applications

[NEEDS QUOTE: Dulux technical advisor or paint technology specialist on the most common application errors and how to avoid them with the Renovation Range]

According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, homeowners engaging a professional painter for renovation range work should request a written quote itemising preparation steps, specific products to be used, and drying/cure time allowances. Master Painters Australia recommends verifying that your painter has specific experience with specialty coating systems like the Dulux Renovation Range, as standard house painting experience does not automatically translate to these products.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Dulux Renovation Range last?

When properly prepared and applied, Dulux Renovation Range finishes can last 5 to 10 years on kitchen cabinets and wall tiles. Durability depends heavily on surface preparation, the number of coats applied, and how much wear the surface receives. High-traffic surfaces like benchtops and floors will show wear sooner than cabinet doors or wall tiles.

Can you paint kitchen cabinets without sanding?

The Dulux Renovation Range is designed to adhere to laminate and melamine surfaces without heavy sanding. However, a light scuff sand is still recommended to remove gloss and improve adhesion. Skipping preparation entirely is the most common reason painted cabinets peel or chip within the first year.

Can you paint bathroom tiles with the Dulux Renovation Range?

Yes. Dulux Renovation Range Tiles and Benchtops is specifically designed for wall tiles, splashback tiles, and floor tiles in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries. It is not suitable for use inside shower recesses or any surface that is continuously submerged in water.

How long does the Dulux Renovation Range take to cure?

The Dulux Renovation Range is touch dry in 2 to 4 hours and recoatable in 16 hours. However, the full cure takes 7 to 14 days. During the curing period, avoid placing heavy objects on painted surfaces, wiping with cleaning products, or exposing the surface to excessive moisture.

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.