How to paint (white) over a mahogony cabinet?

[Dave7]

As above, I have a dark mahogany** cabinet that needs painting white (satin gloss). Its going to have item on top that will stay where ther are.
My initial plan is to sand it down beforehand.
So......do I need special undercoat ?
Do i need special top coat.
NB
I know there many various more fancy types of top coat which might be of interest.
Any ideas welcome.
Thanks
**it's not real mahogany wood, it's like an old equivalent to mdf.

 

[Oldhippy]

A good cover all undercoat done a couple of times should do it with a good quality top coat. I'd avoid the cheap store brands personally. When I did the boat I was painting over brown wood in an off white. The cheapest stuff didn't do what it said on the tin.

 

[Sharky]

We used Rust-0leum furniture spray paint to paint a unit we had.

 

[derrick]

Under coat or primer before the top coat.

 

[Dave7]

We used Rust-0leum furniture spray paint to paint a unit we had.

Never heard of that....I will google it, thanks.

 

[raleighnut]

Whatever it is a good sanding before painting is a must.

 

[newts]

Depending on the type of existing laquer/varnish finish. Preparation, preparation can't be emphasisedenough. Clean & light abrasive for key then a specific adhesion primer that'll stick to original finish correctly. Zinnser, Carapol & Tikkurila are good products. I painted our varnished kitchen doors during lock down with Tikkurila paints, still holding up well without any signs of peeling

 

[Tenkaykev]

Depending on the type of existing laquer/varnish finish. Preparation, preparation can't be emphasisedenough. Clean & light abrasive for key then a specific adhesion primer that'll stick to original finish correctly. Zinnser, Carapol & Tikkurila are good products. I painted our varnished kitchen doors during lock down with Tikkurila paints, still holding up well without any signs of peeling

Our painter and decorator has recently switched to Tikkurila paint. We're very impressed with the finish.

 

[Jameshow]

A good cover all undercoat done a couple of times should do it with a good quality top coat. I'd avoid the cheap store brands personally. When I did the boat I was painting over brown wood in an off white. The cheapest stuff didn't do what it said on the tin.

Definitely avoid cheap paint. It's like water. I had to buy branded paint to go over undercoat!

 

[cyberknight]

We used Rust-0leum furniture spray paint to paint a unit we had.

just looking into paints for kitchen cupboard doors and rustoleum do a specific hardwearing paint for the job that looks promising .