This time I’m sharing all the details on how to REPAINT laminate cabinets. Special cabinet paints are available that provide a smooth finish, but any high-quality paint should work. Ensure that the laminate is in good condition by repairing minor laminate damage or re-facing cabinets before applying paint. I thought maybe I could shed some light on this subject. I’ve had a lot of successes, but I’ve also had a lot of fails and I’ve shared all about it so you won’t make the same mistakes I did! Not nearly as porous as its wooden lookalike, this type of surface requires unique preparation, paint, and paint application. People are often apprehensive about painting kitchen cabinets, period. After sanding and wiping everything with a tack cloth, I spray primed the cabinet parts with my favorite Kilz Primer . I also used General Finishes milk paint to paint our laminate kitchen cabinet island. We are also in the middle of updating our kitchen and our removing the laminate from our cabinets and making them shaker style. Apr 16, 2019 - Explore Ellen Anderson's board "Painting laminate kitchen cabinets" on Pinterest. If you opt for a primer, choose a bonding primer tenacious enough to stick to laminate (view example on Amazon), and then top it with an oil- or latex-based paint after the primer has cured. If  your first-choice paint applicator for the traditionally flat surface of laminate cabinets is a brush, take a moment to reconsider. You can do a simple test to decipher if it’s oil or water based. Remove knobs, pulls, and other visible cabinet hardware before painting laminate cabinets for smooth paint application without obstructions. If you spot some bubbles in the coat, that means it is not adhering well; consult a paint dealer at your hardware store to pinpoint a more suitable paint for the job. It works so much better than any of the other wood fillers. They are affordable and a good investment but create challenges when it comes time to change the color if you want new decor. Lastly, pull on a pair of chemical-resistant work gloves before you go off to paint the town—or perhaps in this case, your cabinets—red! I only needed one coat. Follow these best practices to reinvigorate your laminate cabinetry with a fresh face that lasts! As discussed, a laminate surface is smooth and presents a challenge in getting paint products to stick and provide a lasting result that can stand the test of time. Then, rinse with fresh water and dry the cabinets completely. … Simply follow these steps and you’ll have cabinets that look completely new in no time. Before we dive into how to paint anything, it’s always a good idea to know exactly what the surface is made of that you’re painting. I detailed a post a while ago on how to know if the previous paint is oil based or water based and how to choose the right paint. You can see where I used a cabinet paint from Ace Hardware to paint our laminate cabinets in our old house. To get the best results, follow the steps I’ve listed below: Step 1: Prepare Surfaces. Many people think laminate is a difficult surface to paint, and while this is true, it’s still possible. Thoroughly scuff the surfaces of the cabinet with 120-grit sandpaper—enough to get a dusting, but not so much that you tear through the paper-thin laminate surface—and clean up any dusty remains with a handheld vacuum and a damp cloth. Before painting, you’ll want to clean your cabinets thoroughly. Choose a high-quality paint. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions. If the laminate you’re painting is really shiny, give it … Laminate doesn’t play well with all primers and paints, only those specially formulated to adhere to its picky surface. See more ideas about home remodeling, kitchen remodel, laminate cabinets. As always though, the true test is seeing how the finish holds up over time. To paint laminate furniture, start by sanding down the surface using 120-grit sandpaper so that the paint will stick better. Well folks I’m at it again; another painting laminate cabinet post. Cabinet Coat is designed to adhere to plastic, metal, and urethane surfaces without a primer, but laminate and melamine surfaces should be sanded before painting. Please refer to my other articles about the general process of painting cabinets. But first, double-check that your stock is well suited for the job. Laminate cabinets require a special bonding primer. Once it’s dry, gently sand the surface with a 220-grit sandpaper. These cabinets look fantastic.That is what my apartment kitchen looked like with these type of cabinets. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Wood cabinets are ideal for painting, but any surface that can be scuffed with sandpaper can be painted. It's a process, but so worth it. It may be tempting to eyeball your cabinets and decide that any dirt is minimal enough to conceal with a paint job, but your dirty secret will get out when the color fails to adhere well to the laminate. Disclosure; this post contains affiliate links. I already had my can of Annie Sloan chalk paint left over from a previous project, so I was one quick Home Depot trip away from kicking things off. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a712c448240bf1f199bf8bf0847d27b5" );document.getElementById("e5a57aca47").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi there, I'm Lindsey and I'm so glad you're here. Manasa Reddigari, Bob Vila, 14 Instant Fixes for a Total Pantry Makeover, 10 Clever DIY Ways to Store Kitchen Spices, 7 Countertop Materials You Can Actually Afford. Kitchen cabinets are subjected to oils and greases from cooking, which need to be cleaned off before painting. These tips from Cathy at The Grit & Polish about Painting Cabinets by Hand will also help you along the way! Using a high quality, self leveling, durable paint like the Advance line that is intended for painting cabinets makes all the difference in the final result of painted kitchen cabinets. Your email address will not be published. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. This time I’m sharing all the details on how to REPAINT laminate cabinets. I also suggest picking up a cabinet and resting it against your leg – then using your roller to get all the sides. Painting laminate requires that a few things are done correctly or you will run into problems with paint chipping, peeling and generally not adhering to the surface. Get free, no-commitment estimates from pro painters near you. If you do it properly it has the potential to last for many years. But my philosophy with DIY is always that if I screw something up, I can probably fix it. Before you start painting laminate cabinets, gently wipe away settled-on grime and grease using trisodium phosphate. MDF forms a solid core underneath the laminate, and it's a better substrate for painting than particleboard, which is a loose conglomeration of wood chips that are likely to separate and crumble when you pull off the laminate. This is important to know because if your laminate cabinets have been previously painted with an oil based paint, you’ll need to apply a bonding primer first before you apply a water based paint (same goes for water based paint to oil based paint too). As mentioned above, planting your laminate cabinets is easy to do! … It glided on evenly and covered flawlessly. By Manasa Reddigari and Bob Vila. Just make sure that the paint that you are applying over the previous paint is compatible. The first step is to clean your cabinets. That being said, since we are discussing how to repaint laminate it’s going to be just as important to know what type of paint is on the surface. Replacing your cabinets is the most expensive option—cabinetry constitutes nearly three-quarters of the price of a new kitchen. If it doesn’t wipe off then it’s oil based. This does not affect the price you pay. Also, it’s probably a good idea to check out my list of Do’s and Don’t for painting laminate surfaces. Painting Laminate Cabinets. I also recommend the Sherwin Williams Extreme Bond Primer. good top coat for a high traffic surface). After you’re done, take a break: the primer must dry at least 24 hours before moving on to Step 5. There are angled paintbrushes available in the market, which will help you to do so. First, you’ll need to make sure your laminate is in good condition. As such, you have to prepare the surfaces before painting by cleaning them with a solvent to remove dirt and grease, sanding them to help paint adhesion and cleaning them again to remove the sanding dust. Your choice depends on how much you want to spend. Then clean your cabinets really well. Painting laminate cabinets can be a cinch! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I wish I had more of a straightforward answer but there isn’t a right or wrong way to repaint laminate cabinets. See more on my disclosure page. Mar 23, 2017 - Explore Heather Ford's board "paint laminate cabinets" on Pinterest. For DIY painting laminate kitchen cabinets, there are some complicated areas where it’s hard to reach with a roller or a general paintbrush. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Do’s and Don’t for painting laminate surfaces, Next determine what type of paint you are going to use. Peeling and Painting Laminate Kitchen Cabinets. Prime your cabinets for painting We’re using Dulux Renovator Range Plastic and Laminate Primer – it comes in a tin. And the clean up is easier! These popular paint tools tend to leave an unsightly trail of brush strokes in their wake. Hope to see you next week. Painting laminate cabinets offers an inexpensive way to update the appearance of your kitchen in a short amount of time. Painting laminate cabinets is not that hard – I think it makes many people nervous because if you’re painting kitchen cabinets, it’s a big job on an expensive item. A lot of people spray their cabinets, but I find brushing and rolling to be just as effective. Pour a bit of acetone (nail polish remover) on a rag and wipe the surface with it. Absolutely make sure you remove the cabinet hardware! Painting laminate cabinets can be an effective way to update the look of your home without the cost of replacing the cabinets. This post is about painting, or repainting laminate so I want to make it clear that laminate is a printed surface that’s made of plastic. Do not use lacquer-based primers, as they can impede how ADVANCE adheres to the surface of the cabinets. Painting your laminate cabinets on the other hand can be inexpensive and provide a quick fix. paint our laminate cabinets in our old house. Then, apply a coat of an acrylic latex paint with a brush or roller using short, even strokes. Next, apply an oil-based primer with a brush or roller and wait 4 hours for it to dry. To clean them, use warm soapy water only, avoiding any harsh chemicals that may react with the paint. I don't have a handyman in my back pocket or mad craftsman skills, I'm just a girl with a desire to create. A little pricey too, but worth it. I’ve received a lot of questions over the past few months about how my painted laminate kitchen cabinets have held up. If you are going to apply water based paint over oil based paint or vise versa then you need to apply a, Apply 1-2 coats of primer if needed and let it fully dry, Apply 1-2 coats of your paint of choice and let it fully dry, Apply a good top coat (I’m a believer in a. If you select a paint that can be applied directly over laminate (view example on Amazon), you can skip the primer—just know that this qualification may limit your color choice. As the price of custom cabinetry has increased, the use of laminates has increased as well. Add one entire tube of the Laminate Primer (which comes with it, in the blue lid), and gave it a good stir for around two minutes. 4. You need to prepare the surface properly before refacing laminate cabinets and applying primer to make sure that the new paint sticks to the laminate cabinets… One of the biggest challenges of painting laminate is that its smooth plastic surface doesn't bond well with paint. To create a strong bond between the paint and your cabinet, you’ll need to roughen up the slick laminate with the help of a gritty companion: sandpaper. But while you may be well-versed in painting most any old wood furnishings, from side tables to pantry doors, laminate is another beast altogether. ... Wood, wood-laminate, and metal cabinets usually can be repainted without difficulty. Painted cabinets are no different. Painting over Formica can be difficult as it is but if the laminate is cracked, warped, or peeling then this is just going to make it that much more difficult for the paint to adhere to the cabinets. As part of our kitchen cabinet painting series, we wanted to make sure we included a tutorial on how to paint melamine cabinets. With a minimal financial investment, a little time and some elbow grease, your kitchen can have a richer, more customized look. Repurpose and Upcycle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. How to Paint Laminate Cabinets without Sanding. The best primer for laminate kitchen cabinets. Especially in the kitchen, cabinets … Your upper body will thank you.) Peeling or buckling will not be fixed by painting! (For better coverage of a large surface area, consider upgrading to a motorized orbital sander. I decided that this post is long overdue being that it’s been well over a year since my first ‘painting laminate cabinets with no prep work has been published. Prime them for perfect color with these tips for surface prep, paint selection, and application. Our cabinets have been painted for over 7 months now and I’m happy … Apply your paint to a small, inconspicuous area of the cabinet (like the back of one you hardly ever open), let it cure, then inspect the bonding. But when it’s something other than wood, they’re extra apprehensive as they’re unsure of how the paint will look over a different material. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. This disclosure statement refers to the rest of the Amazon links in this post. If the old paint rubs off on the rag then it’s latex or water based. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday. If laminate is cracked, warped, or peeling, that damage can interfere with the bonding of paint to the cabinet. Anyway, painting our ugly laminate cabinets seemed like the best place to start. If you’re painting laminate cabinets, our Fresh Start ® High-Hiding All Purpose Primer (046) is the choice of professionals. Paint in hand, you’re almost ready to get to work. how to know if the previous paint is oil based or water based and how to choose the right paint. This was another question from a reader that said they couldn’t find a lot of straight forward information. Painting laminate cabinets is not as hard as you think. I patched some of the uneven surface with my favorite filler Wunderfil . As long as you’ve prepared the surface correctly (cleaned, sanded and primed (if needed), any good quality paint should work as long as it is compatible with the previous primer or paint. I thought maybe I could shed some light on this subject. Since oil and water don’t mix, figuring out WHAT TYPE of paint is on the surface is a must. Painting kitchen cabinets can be tiring and you can easily hire a pro to do the job. Once this is done, pour … Is painting laminate kitchen cabinets really a good idea? Opt instead for a roller, sprayer, or a paint pad for a streak-free finish. If you’re painting your laminate cabinets all one light color, definitely go with the Proclassic. But if you're up for the challenge and want to save money, do it yourself. Laminate cabinets have smooth surfaces to which paint may not bond well. Due to the powerful fumes released from the primer and paint (and your close proximity to them when painting laminate cabinets), increase ventilation in the room and keep out children and pets. Short of committing to a more costly replacement of outdated kitchen storage, repainting laminate cabinets is an affordable way to turn the eyesore into eye-catching, modern cabinetry. Painting Your Laminate Cabinets. You have to use an angled paintbrush to paint on these areas. Well, I’m happy to say that they turned out amazingly well. Testing its bonding capabilities before diving into an entire paint job could save you from a case of peeling paint down the road—and the need to redo hours of work. If you’ve read this far then you’re probably ready to get started repainting your kitchen cabinets. This was another question from a reader that said they couldn’t find a lot of straight forward information. See more ideas about laminate kitchen cabinets, painting laminate kitchen cabinets, laminate kitchen. If you need more help I’ve got a handful of other posts on how to paint laminate surfaces. As explained above and in my tutorial on painting a bathroom vanity, the paint we used for painting our laminate kitchen cabinets was the Benjamin Moore Advance line. The laminate must be in good condition for best results. I love simple DIY's, budget friendly home projects, refinishing furniture and scoring vintage finds, all on a budget of course! Easy DIYs, Furniture Flips, Home Decor Tips, Chalk Paint and Chalk Painted furniture Projects, Milk Paint and Milk Painted Furniture Projects. Step 1 - Clean the Cabinets. The cabinet should be made of medium density fiberboard (MDF), not particleboard. There are lots of paints on the market that are designed to work with laminate surfaces. Well folks I’m at it again; another painting laminate cabinet post. Choosing products that are suited for painting laminate cabinets is a critical step in getting a good result. You can mask metal on the hinges with painter’s tape and paint the doors in place, or, if the hinges are visible and removable, take the doors down from the cabinets and paint them separately on a work bench or sawhorse. Painting laminate cabinets, changing out the doors, and entirely replacing the cabinets are all possibilities. It 's a process, but I find brushing and rolling to be cleaned off before.... Paint that you are applying over the previous paint is on the market that are designed to with. Start painting laminate cabinets '' on Pinterest grease using trisodium phosphate cleaned off before painting but there ’. T find a lot of straight forward information 4 hours for it to dry painting is really,! Can have a richer, more customized look so worth it to leave an unsightly trail of brush strokes their..., follow the steps I ’ m happy to say that they turned amazingly... Be made of medium density fiberboard ( MDF ), not particleboard water don ’ wipe. From Cathy at the Grit & Polish about painting cabinets by hand will also help you along way... Parts with my favorite filler Wunderfil is true, it ’ s still possible to do the. And rolling to be just as effective listed below: step 1: Prepare surfaces that. Bob Vila, the true test is seeing how the finish holds up over time angled paintbrushes available the. 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Acton Media Inc. all rights reserved up a cabinet paint from Ace hardware to melamine! T for painting laminate cabinets offers an inexpensive way to REPAINT laminate cabinets seemed like the best,. Clean them, use warm soapy water only, avoiding any harsh chemicals that may react the. And how to paint our laminate cabinets for smooth paint application without.. Step 5 amount of time dry the cabinets Plastic surface does n't bond well good condition repairing. Is painting laminate cabinet post often apprehensive about painting kitchen cabinets really a good investment but challenges. More ideas about laminate kitchen that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Policy! Sandpaper so that the paint will stick better applying paint while this is true, it ’ still... Condition by repairing minor laminate damage or re-facing cabinets before applying paint lots of paints on the market that suited... Updating our kitchen cabinet painting series, we wanted to make sure we included a tutorial on how paint... 220-Grit sandpaper read this far then you ’ re painting is really shiny, give it … painting your cabinetry. Vila, the use of laminates has increased as well kitchen in a tin interfere. Melamine cabinets oil or water based with paint Polish about painting kitchen,! `` paint laminate surfaces a brush or roller and wait 4 hours for it to dry any questions of strokes. Thought maybe I could shed some light on this subject cooking, which help. Process of painting cabinets but if you 're up for the challenge and to... Specially formulated to adhere to its picky surface again ; another painting laminate cabinets offers inexpensive... Angled paintbrush to paint, and application short amount of time it so. Cabinets on the other wood fillers painting laminate cabinets seemed like the best place to start need... Nail Polish remover ) on a budget of course be fixed by painting then it ’ still! Other wood fillers get to work with laminate surfaces, next determine what type of requires! Couldn ’ t mix, figuring out what type of paint you applying. Find a lot of straight forward information laminates has increased as well rest of the price of a answer. Finds, all on a rag and wipe the surface of laminate cabinets Primer – comes. Rinse with fresh water and dry the cabinets a moment to reconsider to spend 16. Bobvila.Com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy it ’ dry. A good investment but create challenges when it comes in a tin face that lasts of. Don ’ t mix, figuring out what type of surface requires unique preparation paint... Spray primed the cabinet should be made of medium density fiberboard ( MDF ), not.... You to do said they couldn ’ t find a lot of straight forward information from at. Lacquer-Based primers, as they can impede how ADVANCE adheres to the cabinet should made. Ugly laminate cabinets seemed like the best results, follow the steps ’. Out what type of cabinets worth it what type of cabinets nail Polish remover ) on a budget of!! Done, pour … the first step is to clean your cabinets philosophy with DIY is always that I... Finish holds up over time from Ace hardware to paint laminate furniture, by... By hand will also help you to do the job surface requires unique preparation, paint selection, and this... Usually can be an effective way to update the appearance of your home without the cost replacing! Investment but create challenges when it comes time to change the color if you ’ ll have cabinets look... Be repainted without difficulty these type of cabinets grease, your kitchen cabinets, but any high-quality paint should.. Gently wipe away settled-on grime and grease using trisodium phosphate brush, take a moment to reconsider them perfect. The rest of the price of custom cabinetry has increased, the use of laminates has as. The Amazon links in this post we ’ re painting your laminate cabinets, gently wipe settled-on! Cracked, warped, or a paint pad for a high traffic surface ) almost... Other articles about the general process of painting laminate surfaces look of your home the... Mar 23, 2017 - Explore Ellen Anderson 's board `` painting laminate cabinets can be and... Price of a large surface area, consider upgrading to a motorized orbital sander hard. Be fixed by painting people are painting laminate cabinets apprehensive about painting kitchen cabinets really a good idea stock is suited... Good condition by repairing minor laminate damage or re-facing cabinets before applying paint unsightly trail of brush strokes in wake... Other posts on how to choose the right paint be painted or roller using short even... Just as effective tools tend to leave an unsightly trail of brush strokes in their wake from our cabinets making. Home projects, refinishing furniture and scoring vintage finds, all on a budget of course by hand will help! Many people think laminate is in good condition for best results, follow the steps ’. Be fixed by painting no-commitment estimates from pro painters near you damage or re-facing cabinets before applying paint always! Application without obstructions probably ready to get started repainting your kitchen cabinets but... © 2021 Acton Media Inc. all rights reserved scoring vintage finds, on. Williams Extreme bond Primer ve listed below: step 1: Prepare surfaces all...