banzy

Hi, I'm a complete and utter DIY novice, and with a Paris apartment at least hundred years old, and a kitchen quite literally out of the 1960's, I was looking to do a little bit of renovation on a budget. I had been under the impression the kitchen units were of high quality - designed and custom built to fit the kitchen. I bought the various bits and pieces to sand down the wood, treat it and then paint it, but as I pulled down the veneer (which didn't prove hard given its age), it seems the main frame of the unit is good wood, but the sides, underside and doors are chipboard! I really don't want to go down the veneer route again, but I would imagine chipboard is quite porous and not particular suited to painting, and am not sure my current product would properly seal it anyway. I was wondering if anybody out there could tell me what my options might be? Is is possible to get some product that could give it a smoother surface receptive to painting? There's another unit like the one in the photograph facing opposite, 3 cupboards wide by 2 high that needs sorting too. They're also highly placed, and a step-ladder is needed to get access to the high ones, but it's a small kitchen so these units are vital.