To create a strong bond between the paint and your cabinet, roughen up the slick laminate with the help of a gritty companion: sandpaper. Thoroughly scuff the surfaces of the cabinet with 120-grit sandpaper—enough to get a dusting, but not so much that you tear through the paper-thin laminate surface.
You can use any kind of paint that's suitable to paint wood on your laminate cabinets, too. We recommend a satin finish as it's durable and easy to keep clean. The paint you use isn't as important as the primer which is the secret to getting the paint to stick to the smooth laminate.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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 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.
You have two options! Either use the clear shellac or the Country Chic Paint clear bonding primer. Both are clear, so you'll be able to distress your paint without seeing a white primer in between the paint and laminate.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Spray paint primers are my favorite! 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.
Sealing Paint on Laminate Cabinets or Furniture
Once you're done, I'd allow your piece to dry and cure for about 24-48 hours at minimum. Use your best judgment. After it's dry, you can use a paint pad or clean cloth to wipe on some finishing/sealing wax or wipe on poly in your choice of finish.
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. latex paints may take one to four weeks to cure.
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.
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.