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.
Latex paint is recommended for laminate surface painting projects because of its durability and smooth finish.
You can paint the cabinets with oil-based paints, acrylic paints, or melamine paints once they have been primed. Moisture-resistant materials in the paint make Melamine paints ideal for painting laminate surfaces, since they are just right for the moisture and steam that are so prevalent in kitchens.
The least expensive option is painting laminate cabinets. Laminate is not an ideal surface to paint, but it can be done.
If the veneer is in good condition and isn't chipping… you can sand, prime, and paint like you would any piece of furniture.
Yes You Can Paint Laminate! What is laminate, you ask? It can basically be any type of furniture, cabinets, or wood-like product that is made by attaching a thin layer of printed plastic (sometimes called Melamine or Thermofoil) to a substrate of plywood or particle board.
Veneer can be a very smooth surface, so chalk paint alone will probably scratch off. Make sure the veneer doesn't have cracks. If needed, remove any sections of peeling veneer. Clean the piece well, prime, and then apply a few coats of chalk paint to the veneer furniture.
Lightly Sand the Entire Piece
Laminate is a slick and non-porous surface so it's best to lightly scuff the surface. I use 150-220 grit sandpaper to sand the laminate because it's the BEST way to get the primer and paint to adhere properly. Trust me… this step will ensure your paint job lasts!
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.
You need to use special paint when painting vinyl cabinets. If your vinyl or laminate covered particleboard cabinets are peeling, you may want to consider giving them a fresh coat of paint.
Chalk paint is a great choice for painting laminate cabinets because it “hides” brush strokes. If you're using chalk paint for a project, you pretty much can't mess it up.
When painting particle board or MDF, we recommend an oil-based cabinet paint with a semi-gloss or gloss sheen. Avoid water-based paints since water tends to make particle board swell.
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.
Can Pressed Wood Be Painted? In case the pressboard has a thin veneer that causes furniture paint to adhere, its surface is incredibly smooth. Use an oil-based primer if you plan to coat your furniture with oil-based paint for the final coat, but if you wish to use latex paint, use a latex paint-based primer.
The main difference is that veneers comprise thin layers of wood that are pressed on a plywood base while laminates are manufactured by pressing together layers of flat paper and plastic resins under high pressure.
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.
By using the same method as above, you can paint laminate furniture without sanding. Simply make sure the laminate itself is in good condition and isn't cracking or chipped. The priming step is the most important for painting laminate furniture since you don't want to sand an already delicate surface.
Veneer is a decorative wood layer that's overlaid on a different surface. Veneer can be primed, painted, stained, and treated just like any other wood surface. Painting veneer surfaces is a great way to spruce up furniture, make older pieces look newer, or make an original piece match a new décor scheme.
Yes! Furniture made of veneer can be painted with chalk paint. You should, however, prime the veneer first. Veneer can be very smooth, so chalk paint alone will probably scratch off the surface.
You can use a wood filler to fill any holes or dings that are present. Inadequate adhesion will ruin your new paint job. Good-quality wood glue and a clamp to hold the laminate against the core is a good way to repair laminate coating that is peeling.