I really wanted to turn them into one of the focal points in the room! The easiest way to make these basic laminate cabinets look a little less basic was to give them a whole new color. It turns out you can paint laminate cabinets, but you need to do a little prep work and use a special primer to get the best results.
With the proper prep and some hard work, you can transform the look of laminate cabinets. Keep in mind that any DIY painted finish will be more susceptible to damage than factory-finish cabinetry. Eventually, you may need to invest in changing out your cabinets altogether.
Choose the proper items for the job; the best paint for laminate cabinets will be highly adhesive. Sanding will help create a rougher surface that will bond better. You'll still want to choose a strong-enough bonding primer to stick to laminate, plus oil- or latex-based paint (after curing).
Tip: Latex paint is recommended for laminate surface painting projects because of its durability and smooth finish.
And, with that final layer of topcoat dry, you've given a fresh new look to an old laminate countertop. The painted surface is durable, but not quite as resistant to water and scratches as the laminate, so be sure to wipe up spills quickly and avoid scratching the paint as much as possible.
Although professionally painted cabinets should last 8-10 years there are a few factors that can drastically impact your cabinet's lifetime, requiring repainting only 3-4 years later. How long your kitchen cabinets will last depends largely on the way the paint was applied, and with what tools.
How Can I Paint Laminate Cabinets Without Sanding? In short, you can't. Sanding the laminate surfaces to “scuff” the finish and provide a surface for the primer to adhere to is a critical step in the process.
On average, painting kitchen cabinets costs between $3 and $10 per square foot, or between $30 and $60 per linear foot. This price typically includes all the supplies, materials, and labor you'll need to get the job done.
A sure way to recognize wood laminate is when the grain does NOT follow through your piece. Wood Veneer is a sheet or thin layer of 'quality-natural-hardwood' that is adhered to a lesser quality wood surface. Wood Veneers give the impression of a more desired quality wood without being as costly.
If the laminate you're painting is really shiny, give it a quick sanding. A light sanding ensures the paint has a textured surface to adhere to. Add a little water to your chosen Chalk Paint™ colour if the paint is too thick. Just be sure to mix the water into the Chalk Paint™ very thoroughly.
Cabinets that aren't solid wood—those made of stainless steel, vinyl, laminate, engineered wood, or any other non-solid wood material—are a much bigger task to undertake as they aren't as easy to paint. Paint will not adhere to the finished cabinet surface easily and will often peel off or chip.
Yes! It's easier than you think to transform your laminate kitchen with paint. If you use the right products and follow this step-by-step guide you'll end up with a durable and long-lasting finish that will look great for a long time. Even after years of daily use, our cabinets still look perfect.
Yes, laminate cabinets can be refaced as long as the cabinet boxes are in good shape. But if the cabinet boxes are weak or damaged, you may need to replace your cabinets altogether.
“Most contact paper goes up easily and comes off without any damage,” Birmingham says. “You can do a wall, a whole room, or just some cabinet fronts like I did in my kitchen.” If you've got older kitchen or bathroom cabinets that you want to refresh but don't want to paint them, this is a viable option.
Painting laminate wasn't difficult, but I did find it more time-consuming than painting wood. To sum it up, the most important steps are to sand and prime all the surfaces before painting. If you were to skip those two steps, your paint would have nothing to adhere to and would most likely peel right off.
Prime: Next, prime your furniture. I always use Kilz primer for laminate and have had great luck with it.
| Hunker. You can remove laminate from cabinets and paint the pressed wood as long as it's MDF. If it's particleboard, you probably won't be happy with the results.