If you're working with cabinets with a difficult surface, use KILZ Adhesion Interior/Exterior Primer. One of the best bonding primers for kitchen cabinets and best primers for laminate cabinets, this will help latex and oil-based paints stick to the toughest surfaces.
We recommend INSL-X Stix Acrylic Waterborne Bonding Primer because it's formulated to bond to surfaces such as slick laminate cabinets. To achieve a stroke-free finish, use the brush to paint the edges and tight spots, and a roller on the large surfaces.
Latex or water-based paint works well on laminate cabinets if you use a good primer. But before it fully cures, the paint remains sticky and may peel off easily if two painted surfaces bump against each other. With a water-based primer underneath.
Step 3: Prime the Cabinets
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.
INSL-X Stix Acrylic Waterborne Bonding Primer
Dry time is longer than water based at 3-4 hours but still quicker than oil based primers. Best cabinet surface to use on: This primer is excellent at covering very slick, plastic, melamine or laminate cabinet surfaces.
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.
Get This Look: Start with a high-quality primer that promotes adhesion, like KILZ 2® All-Purpose. This formula is designed to help paint adhere to a variety of surfaces, from rough wood to glossy laminate.
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—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.
All of the primers that we tested ended up sticking to the laminate. But some needed sanding before priming! Both the Bulls Eye 123 primer and the Country Chic Paint Bonding Primer need the laminate to be sanded before priming to really stick.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Don't leave brush strokes behind.
Paint brushes tend to leave brush strokes in their wake. For a streak-free finish on flat laminate cabinet surfaces, opt instead for a roller, sprayer, or a paint pad.
There is a shortcut, if you are feeling so inclined. But for the most part, you'll want to sand and clean your laminate surfaces well before painting. You'll need: 180-grit and high-grit (300+) sandpaper.
Don't skip sanding. Laminate has a synthetic, glossy surface, so sanding is especially important. Don't oversand. Laminate is a thin material, so be gentle to make sure you don't break through the top layer.
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.
If you're painting a laminate cabinet, you will want to prime the cabinet; then apply two additional coats of Valspar cabinet paint.
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!
We would highly recommend using Dulux Trade Quick Dry MDF Primer as it acts as a primer and undercoat in one that has been specially designed for use on MDF. It can be used on interior and exterior MDF and as a water-based primer is quick-drying and low odour.
If oil-based primers are the best primers for kitchen cabinets, then the best oil-based primer is Zinnser BIN Shellac primer. I have tried a few oil-based primers (Like Zinsser Cover Stain, one I used to use often) and this shellac based primer is the best thing to use when you want a smooth finish.