Laminate is not going to work with the same primers and paints that wood does. You should not treat your laminate cabinets as if they are wood. 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.
Yes—and it's actually quite simple. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to paint laminate furniture, including project-specific tips for painting laminate cabinets, desks, coffee tables, bookshelves and dressers.
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.
Painting laminate surfaces also requires a few extra steps and careful preparation. Make sure to read all of the steps below before starting this project. Lay a drop cloth over floors and other surfaces you want to protect. Prepare the cabinets for paint by removing all door hardware and hinges.
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).
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.
Damage: Despite their durability, laminate kitchen cabinets are prone to damage. Because the laminate is pressed together, it may start to lift. Additionally, thermofoil cabinets can be sensitive to excess heat and moisture, so it is best to keep this in mind when thinking about placement.
Tip: Latex paint is recommended for laminate surface painting projects because of its durability and smooth finish. Try ProClassic® Waterborne Interior Acrylic Enamel for lighter colors, and All Surface Latex Enamel Base for deeper hues.
In conclusion, if you are unsure if you have laminate cabinets, there are a few ways to check. One is to look for a paper or plastic film on the front of the cabinet. Another is to check if the cabinet is lightweight and has a smooth, shiny surface.
A couple things to note for the laminate cabinet makeover; You could get away with 1 coat of primer, 2 coats of paint, and 1 top coat and it will look great.
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.
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.
Staining laminate cabinets. 1) remove all hardware & doors 2) lightly sand all doors, drawers & cabinet 3) using a brush stain your cabinets & doors in your preferred stain color. 4) let dry for 24 hrs before applying another coat or gloss. 5) wait about 2 days for perfect finish.
Wood Lasts Longer, But Laminate is Easier to Clean
If your cabinets get dirty often or are more prone to scratches, you might consider laminate cabinets over wooden cabinets. Wooden cabinets are made with a much softer material and, as a result, get scratched more often. But, wooden cabinets are far easier to repair.
If your old floors are in bad shape, any new flooring will help. While solid hardwood flooring would add more value, laminate will give your home the look of hardwood at a much lower cost, will look good for years, and your return on investment should be solid.
Some people are concerned that laminate could look 'cheap', but in fact high quality laminates are now widely available, which feature realistic designs, and even register embossing where the wood grain is mirrored by imprinting on the surface of the plank.
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.
To get a ballpark estimate of how much you'll spend to paint your kitchen cabinets, you can take the square footage of your kitchen and multiply it by $3 to $10. Prices will be on the lower end ($3 per square foot) when painting on your own, especially if you use lower-quality paint.
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.
Chalk paint is famous for sticking to just about anything, and in this case it makes the perfect primer between the laminate surface and the Satin Enamels paint. It's easy to apply and dries quickly. And the Satin Enamels provide the perfect durable finish over the chalk paint.
Each coat takes at least a day to dry completely. You'll have to wait that long after every coat. But the best thing is – there really is a laminate stain! No matter how many times people told you that laminate couldn't be stained when you asked how to stain laminate, the truth is – laminate can be stained.