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.
Tip: Latex paint is recommended for laminate surface painting projects because of its durability and smooth finish.
A: Like most rules, there's always an exception, so YES, you can paint laminate furniture without sanding or priming IF you use the right kind of paint. You can skip the primer if you are painting laminate furniture with chalk paint.
You don't absolutely have to, but they'll look much better if you do. Laminate is a synthetic product with a glossy surface, which makes it difficult for the paint and primer to adhere to it.
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.
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.
I know sanding isn't all that fun, but it really is necessary for this project. Light sanding makes sure the paint can adhere to the smooth laminate surface properly. It also knocks out any little imperfections before painting, ensuring that damage won't show through the paint.
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.
Best Paint for Painting Laminate Furniture
TIP: You can usually find quarts of KILZ primer, Zinsser, Rustoleum (my fave!) and Martha Stewart at Ollie's for $4.99 a quart. Just make sure to double-check the sheen and color. I personally love a good satin finish. My favorite paint is Rustoleum's Paint Touch Ultra Cover.
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.
Completely change the look of your laminate kitchen floor on a budget! Rust-Oleum HOME Floor Coating is a hassle free, two-part system that requires no stripping, sanding or priming and creates long-lasting results you'll love. To get started, make sure your floor is clean of dirt and debris and dry.
Ideal Uses: Metal, Wicker, Concrete, Wood, Vinyl, Laminate, Plastic and, Glass.
Eggshell No. 17 is perfect for laminate, MDF and melamine surfaces because it's hardwearing with a wipeable silk finish.
Go for a self-priming paint that's formulated for use on glossy, laminate surfaces. This cuts out the need for special primers, reducing both expense and time. Frenchic's Al Fresco range, Lazy Range and Trim Paint are the ideal solution.
Using 120-grit sandpaper, lightly sand the laminate surface in a circular motion. Don't worry if the furniture starts to look a little dull and less glossy, this is what you want to happen. Avoid sanding too much or you might tear up the laminate from the surface, or even make a hole.
Key Watchout. You cannot stain laminate, since it is not real wood. However, you can easily paint it, as outlined in the steps on this page.
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.
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.
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. When the first coat of primer has dried, lightly sand it before applying the second coat.
Most homeowners are not trained in painting properly. This is especially true for cabinets, since they require special attention. Professional painters should be hired because they have the skills to apply primer on laminate surfaces with precision. The tools used are professional grade and they will minimize mistakes.
'If you prefer not to sand to rough up the surface before you paint, you still have options that will work great. One option is to use a product called liquid sandpaper. It will chemically interact with the surface of the furniture to dull it and make it ready to paint.
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.
Don't use abrasive tools
Laminate floors can scratch, so steer clear of anything abrasive (steel wool, for example). You'll want to use a soft-bristle broom or dust mop to sweep up debris. If you're vacuuming, be careful to use an attachment without a beater bar or rotating brush, which could scratch the surface.