Yes, laminate cabinets can be refaced as long as the cabinet boxes are in good shape.
Many people have Formica cabinets in their homes. Usually, they are in good condition for some time. However, the cabinets lose their finish after a few years, making your kitchen décor look outdated. The question is: “can you paint Formica Kitchen Cabinets?” The simple answer is “Yes.”
So long as your laminate cabinets aren't falling apart, they can be refaced just as well as any other cabinet. “The wood my cabinets are made from is soft/low quality, can it be refaced?” For a cabinet to be refaced, it must be possible to clean and sand the surface of the cabinet, producing a smooth, firm surface.
Laminate, Formica®, and Wilsonart® are all essentially the same thing; laminate is the substance, and Formica® and Wilsonart® are the brand names. Both types are widely marketed for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and bar counters and available in a variety of colors and designs.
Miracle Method uses coatings specifically created to restore and refinish Formica®, Wilsonart® and other laminate countertops. A Miracle Method refinished countertop will look better, last longer, and feel better than any attempt at painting a kitchen countertop using DIY refinishing kits.
Yes, you can re-laminate over the existing laminated cabinet. This is because laminate resurfacing is a process where the existing laminate surface is sanded down, and then a new layer of laminate is applied to the surface. There are many homeowners like you who wish to maintain their kitchen cabinets.
Before you begin painting, you must prepare the surface. You'll need to clean the area with hot, soapy water to remove dirt, and then clean it again with ammonia or denatured alcohol to remove any grease and soap residue. After your Formica has dried, use a light- to medium-grade sandpaper and sand the entire surface.
Clean and prepare the cabinet doors.
Then, begin to either sand or apply chalky finish paint, depending on your preference: Sanding: Using a rougher grit sandpaper, sand the laminate so it will better bond to the primer you use. Be careful not to over-sand the area, since laminate surfaces are typically very thin.
All you really need to clean Formica is a soft cloth or sponge and a small dollop of mild dish soap. Window cleaner or just plain white vinegar also do a good job.
Lay Laminate Over the Countertop
If you have old laminate (Formica, Wilsonart, etc.) countertops that have square edges, you can cover them with a layer of new laminate, which is sold in sheets up to 5 feet wide and 12 feet long.
In the thirty years that I've been making kitchen cabinets and counters, many people have asked; “can Formica be installed over Existing Formica?” The answer is yes. The process is usually very successful if the existing surface is in good shape.
Some of the disadvantages of Formica countertops include: Less aesthetically pleasing: Some people think that Formica is less aesthetically pleasing than other materials like wood or stone. Formica also has visible brown edge lines that may be less-than-desirable to some homeowners.
Like other Like other laminate countertops, Formica kitchen countertops are made from layers of plastic, bonded to kraft paper or particleboard to create a solid, durable countertop surface., Formica kitchen countertops are made from layers of plastic, bonded to kraft paper or particleboard to create a solid, durable ...
Laminate is a picky surface, so you'll need a high-quality laminate-specific primer. If you aren't sure which one is best, consult your paint store professional. A good primer will prevent future peeling or lifting in the paint.
You can sand, prime and paint laminate as if it were a solid wood piece of furniture! It's easy to skip the sanding step, because sanding is a drag… but it's especially important with laminate. Because it's often somewhat glossy-looking, and important to sand it down until the finish is very dull before priming.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that painting laminate follows the same steps as your other painting projects from the past. Laminate isn't nearly as porous as wood but if you follow the proper process and guidelines, painting your laminate cabinets can turn out to be a lasting accomplishment.