Painting - Old Kitchen Cabinets-Mobile Home-Want to "Stain" Dark Cherry

The cabinets in the dining room and kitchen of my double-wide are fake cheap and plastic coated of a medium brown (?) color. They would look beautiful in a dark cherry stain to match my furniture - how can I accomplish this look?

Since plastic cannot be stained, the initial step would be to obtain stainable cabinets. Maybe possible to cover them with wood veneer that can be stained and finished.

It may be possible to prime over the plastic then paint it with a lacquer with the color suspended in it the way commercial furniture is finished. I think that you are at a dead end with this approach.

Maybe the manufacturer of the mobile home can get you some in the color you want.

Good luck.

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my question.

In the second paragraph you mention a process that I am not familiar with. Can you explain. Also, the only primer that I am familiar with is white in color. Can you direct me to exact colors, brands? I bought this home 2nd hand and it was a steal, however, I am not willing to change the cabinets, only the color, as they have a beautiful cut glass window in each door.

I know in my heart that there is someone out there that has done this - I'll bet.

Thanks again.

Sounds like priming and painting may be an option. Check at your local paint store for brands and colors and types of paint and finishes. If cabinets are melamine (hard plastic), surfaces can be thoroughly cleaned, scuffed with sandpaper, primed, and then painted. You will need to use the proper primer for whatever surface finish you choose. Adhesion is sometimes a problem on plastic surfaces, so a shellac-based primer/sealer like
Zinsser is recommended before applying top coat of paint. Tinting primer toward the color of your finish paint sometimes eliminates having to apply a second coat of paint. An oil-based paint will provide a more durable, stain-resistant, and washable finish. If you can not find a paint color that suits you, perhaps you can have one mixed. Updating knobs and pulls on cabinets will add to your new look in your kitchen.