However, like latex paint, 1-2-3 Primer is water-based, so it won't adhere as well to laminate furniture without first sanding, and a longer cure time is also recommended when painting laminate. Zinsser Cover-Stain Primer – This is an oil-based primer. Oil-based primers provide great adhesion.
Priming is really important with laminate furniture, so don't jump straight to applying the paint as this will be wasted effort. If the laminate has never been painted before, you will need to apply two coats of primer.
The BIN shellac-based primer, Cover Stain primer, and clear shellac primer mentioned above all come in aerosol spray paint cans and are SO good at getting paint to stick to laminate cabinets or furniture.
Latex Paint
Latex or water-based paint works well on laminate cabinets if you use a good primer.
I used Kilz Primer (view on Amazon), which blocks, seals, and preps the surface to which the paint will adhere. Primer is important, especially when painting over laminate. Unlike wood, laminate is a smooth, non-porous material, so it really needs something to 'grab' onto—primer will do the trick!
Always Prime Before Painting Laminate Furniture
Other paints will go on with a splotchy, uneven finish and the first coat will begin peeling off as soon as you try to paint a second coat. The good news is that painting over Ikea laminate furniture – or any laminate furniture – is as simple as a coat of right primer!
Tip: Latex paint is recommended for laminate surface painting projects because of its durability and smooth finish.
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. We recommend using 120 grit sandpaper for this.
I always use Kilz primer for laminate and have had great luck with it. For painting laminate furniture, you want to do at least 2 coats of primer and let them cure completely (overnight if you can!) in between coats. You can even sand in between coats for maximum adhesion.
The best way to ensure paint on laminate lasts is to sand the surface and use a good bonding primer, followed by two layers of high-quality latex paint and a durable top coat – allowing each layer to dry thoroughly before adding the next.
I recommend using Zinsser Oil Based Primer. This stuff sticks like glue! I love their water based primer too, but when painting laminate, just go for the oil based, I feel it adheres better. Apply 2 coats of your Zinsser Oil Based Primer with a smooth foam roller.
If you want to make a big impact in your kitchen without a big investment, consider priming and painting your laminate countertops. Your local paint store can supply you with the best type of paint to use in this project. Many recommend a water-based acrylic primer, paint and top coat.
Smoke damaged, knot bleed, metal, plastic, or laminate furniture – you need a primer, luckily you will find a version to suit your needs. So first up Zinsser 123; Zinsser's 123 Primer can be used on pretty much all surfaces and has a dry time of one hour. The low odor and water cleanup make it ideal for use indoors.
I like to do at least two coats of primer, and I strongly recommend you do two coats of primer for laminate kitchen cabinets (or bathroom cabinets) where you're going to subject them to everyday use.
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.
Don't skip sanding. Because laminate has a synthetic, glossy surface, sanding is especially important.
What happens if you paint laminate cabinets without using a primer first? The paint needs the primer to help it bind to the cabinets. Use a bonding primer, a stronger product than a regular primer, to ensure it sticks to the laminate. If you don't prime laminate candidates, the paint may quickly flake or peel.
We're using a plastic and laminate primer from the Dulux Renovation Range. It comes in a tin. Add one entire tube of the laminate primer (which comes with it, in the blue lid), and give it a good stir for around two minutes. Once this is done, pour everything into a paint tray, and you're ready for rolling.
Sanding a surface removes the top glossy layer, allowing the substance to receive the primer. Without sanding the surface in advance, the new coat of paint won't stick to the previous layer.
New paint will not easily stick to a smooth surface. Thus, if you don't sand the paint job (at least a little bit), your paint will begin to flake and peel in no time at all. A little bit of surface roughness will provide the traction that is needed for the paint to stay in place.
Sanding after applying primer should help keep your surface as smooth and flat as possible, eliminating brush marks, or extra little globs. Also when painting, like others have pointed out, can raise little fibers from the drywall, going over the surface with a sheet of sandpaper can help get rid of those lose fibers.
White Knight Tile & Laminate paints can both be used on a variety of surfaces including interior laminate, melamine or ceramic surfaces. The key difference between the two products is that Tile paint provides a gloss finish and Laminate paint provides a satin finish.
The key to painting laminate furniture is to ALWAYS use an oil based primer for the best paint adhesion, paint in low humidity, and always let the paint thoroughly cure before heavy use.
In my experience, spray paint in a can does not come out looking fabulous on laminate pieces. I find it's always a little too shiny, sticky, hard to work with, and the paint smell just penetrates the furniture piece.