Painting laminate cabinets, changing out the doors, and entirely replacing the cabinets are all possibilities. The first step is to clean your cabinets. Painting laminate cabinets is not that hard – I think it makes many people nervous because if you’re painting kitchen cabinets, it’s a big job on an expensive item. Cabinet Coat is designed to adhere to plastic, metal, and urethane surfaces without a primer, but laminate and melamine surfaces should be sanded before painting. I don't have a handyman in my back pocket or mad craftsman skills, I'm just a girl with a desire to create. Your email address will not be published. Painting laminate cabinets offers an inexpensive way to update the appearance of your kitchen in a short amount of time. This post is about painting, or repainting laminate so I want to make it clear that laminate is a printed surface that’s made of plastic. Paint in hand, you’re almost ready to get to work. I wish I had more of a straightforward answer but there isn’t a right or wrong way to repaint laminate cabinets. As such, you have to prepare the surfaces before painting by cleaning them with a solvent to remove dirt and grease, sanding them to help paint adhesion and cleaning them again to remove the sanding dust. I thought maybe I could shed some light on this subject. As part of our kitchen cabinet painting series, we wanted to make sure we included a tutorial on how to paint melamine cabinets. If the laminate you’re painting is really shiny, give it … Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Many people think laminate is a difficult surface to paint, and while this is true, it’s still possible. Once this is done, pour … The cabinet should be made of medium density fiberboard (MDF), not particleboard. But when it’s something other than wood, they’re extra apprehensive as they’re unsure of how the paint will look over a different material. … There are angled paintbrushes available in the market, which will help you to do so. To get the best results, follow the steps I’ve listed below: Step 1: Prepare Surfaces. MDF forms a solid core underneath the laminate, and it's a better substrate for painting than particleboard, which is a loose conglomeration of wood chips that are likely to separate and crumble when you pull off the laminate. This was another question from a reader that said they couldn’t find a lot of straight forward information. Well folks I’m at it again; another painting laminate cabinet post. How to Paint Laminate Cabinets without Sanding. Special cabinet paints are available that provide a smooth finish, but any high-quality paint should work. These popular paint tools tend to leave an unsightly trail of brush strokes in their wake. You can mask metal on the hinges with painter’s tape and paint the doors in place, or, if the hinges are visible and removable, take the doors down from the cabinets and paint them separately on a work bench or sawhorse. Add one entire tube of the Laminate Primer (which comes with it, in the blue lid), and gave it a good stir for around two minutes. Ensure that the laminate is in good condition by repairing minor laminate damage or re-facing cabinets before applying paint. I thought maybe I could shed some light on this subject. Easy DIYs, Furniture Flips, Home Decor Tips, Chalk Paint and Chalk Painted furniture Projects, Milk Paint and Milk Painted Furniture Projects. This was another question from a reader that said they couldn’t find a lot of straight forward information. I patched some of the uneven surface with my favorite filler Wunderfil . Choosing products that are suited for painting laminate cabinets is a critical step in getting a good result. I only needed one coat. It works so much better than any of the other wood fillers. Your upper body will thank you.) Good luck and let me know if you have any questions. Before you start painting laminate cabinets, gently wipe away settled-on grime and grease using trisodium phosphate. If the old paint rubs off on the rag then it’s latex or water based. Anyway, painting our ugly laminate cabinets seemed like the best place to start. Is painting laminate kitchen cabinets really a good idea? This does not affect the price you pay. This time I’m sharing all the details on how to REPAINT laminate cabinets. These cabinets look fantastic.That is what my apartment kitchen looked like with these type of cabinets. For DIY painting laminate kitchen cabinets, there are some complicated areas where it’s hard to reach with a roller or a general paintbrush. Your choice depends on how much you want to spend. Due to the powerful fumes released from the primer and paint (and your close proximity to them when painting laminate cabinets), increase ventilation in the room and keep out children and pets. I’ve received a lot of questions over the past few months about how my painted laminate kitchen cabinets have held up. Remove knobs, pulls, and other visible cabinet hardware before painting laminate cabinets for smooth paint application without obstructions. Prime them for perfect color with these tips for surface prep, paint selection, and application. Peeling and Painting Laminate Kitchen Cabinets. Once it’s dry, gently sand the surface with a 220-grit sandpaper. good top coat for a high traffic surface). Hope to see you next week. It's a process, but so worth it. Please refer to my other articles about the general process of painting cabinets. You can do a simple test to decipher if it’s oil or water based. You have to use an angled paintbrush to paint on these areas. Disclosure; this post contains affiliate links. (For better coverage of a large surface area, consider upgrading to a motorized orbital sander. The laminate must be in good condition for best results. There are lots of paints on the market that are designed to work with laminate surfaces. But my philosophy with DIY is always that if I screw something up, I can probably fix it. Testing its bonding capabilities before diving into an entire paint job could save you from a case of peeling paint down the road—and the need to redo hours of work. After you’re done, take a break: the primer must dry at least 24 hours before moving on to Step 5. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday. If you do it properly it has the potential to last for many years. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. See more ideas about laminate kitchen cabinets, painting laminate kitchen cabinets, laminate kitchen. And the clean up is easier! Our cabinets have been painted for over 7 months now and I’m happy … People are often apprehensive about painting kitchen cabinets, period. By Manasa Reddigari and Bob Vila. If you’ve read this far then you’re probably ready to get started repainting your kitchen cabinets. I love simple DIY's, budget friendly home projects, refinishing furniture and scoring vintage finds, all on a budget of course! As always though, the true test is seeing how the finish holds up over time. Short of committing to a more costly replacement of outdated kitchen storage, repainting laminate cabinets is an affordable way to turn the eyesore into eye-catching, modern cabinetry. With a minimal financial investment, a little time and some elbow grease, your kitchen can have a richer, more customized look. Before we dive into how to paint anything, it’s always a good idea to know exactly what the surface is made of that you’re painting. Well folks I’m at it again; another painting laminate cabinet post. I already had my can of Annie Sloan chalk paint left over from a previous project, so I was one quick Home Depot trip away from kicking things off. Before painting, you’ll want to clean your cabinets thoroughly. Painting laminate requires that a few things are done correctly or you will run into problems with paint chipping, peeling and generally not adhering to the surface. If you select a paint that can be applied directly over laminate (view example on Amazon), you can skip the primer—just know that this qualification may limit your color choice. Especially in the kitchen, cabinets … The best primer for laminate kitchen cabinets. They are affordable and a good investment but create challenges when it comes time to change the color if you want new decor. A little pricey too, but worth it. This is important to know because if your laminate cabinets have been previously painted with an oil based paint, you’ll need to apply a bonding primer first before you apply a water based paint (same goes for water based paint to oil based paint too). As discussed, a laminate surface is smooth and presents a challenge in getting paint products to stick and provide a lasting result that can stand the test of time. It may be tempting to eyeball your cabinets and decide that any dirt is minimal enough to conceal with a paint job, but your dirty secret will get out when the color fails to adhere well to the laminate. If you opt for a primer, choose a bonding primer tenacious enough to stick to laminate (view example on Amazon), and then top it with an oil- or latex-based paint after the primer has cured. See more ideas about home remodeling, kitchen remodel, laminate cabinets. Painting Your Laminate Cabinets. Apply your paint to a small, inconspicuous area of the cabinet (like the back of one you hardly ever open), let it cure, then inspect the bonding. Then clean your cabinets really well. But if you're up for the challenge and want to save money, do it yourself. Simply follow these steps and you’ll have cabinets that look completely new in no time. 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—and clean up any dusty remains with a handheld vacuum and a damp cloth. Manasa Reddigari, Bob Vila, 14 Instant Fixes for a Total Pantry Makeover, 10 Clever DIY Ways to Store Kitchen Spices, 7 Countertop Materials You Can Actually Afford. Using a high quality, self leveling, durable paint like the Advance line that is intended for painting cabinets makes all the difference in the final result of painted kitchen cabinets. Next, apply an oil-based primer with a brush or roller and wait 4 hours for it to dry. Mar 23, 2017 - Explore Heather Ford's board "paint laminate cabinets" on Pinterest. Step 1 - Clean the Cabinets. To clean them, use warm soapy water only, avoiding any harsh chemicals that may react with the paint. But first, double-check that your stock is well suited for the job. I also suggest picking up a cabinet and resting it against your leg – then using your roller to get all the sides. This disclosure statement refers to the rest of the Amazon links in this post. … As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can see where I used a cabinet paint from Ace Hardware to paint our laminate cabinets in our old house. Well, I’m happy to say that they turned out amazingly well. I detailed a post a while ago on how to know if the previous paint is oil based or water based and how to choose the right paint. That being said, since we are discussing how to repaint laminate it’s going to be just as important to know what type of paint is on the surface. Not nearly as porous as its wooden lookalike, this type of surface requires unique preparation, paint, and paint application. Wood cabinets are ideal for painting, but any surface that can be scuffed with sandpaper can be painted. To paint laminate furniture, start by sanding down the surface using 120-grit sandpaper so that the paint will stick better. Just make sure that the paint that you are applying over the previous paint is compatible. As the price of custom cabinetry has increased, the use of laminates has increased as well. how to know if the previous paint is oil based or water based and how to choose the right paint. As mentioned above, planting your laminate cabinets is easy to do! Painting Laminate Cabinets. Painting laminate cabinets can be an effective way to update the look of your home without the cost of replacing the cabinets. 4. I’ve had a lot of successes, but I’ve also had a lot of fails and I’ve shared all about it so you won’t make the same mistakes I did! Also, it’s probably a good idea to check out my list of Do’s and Don’t for painting laminate surfaces. A lot of people spray their cabinets, but I find brushing and rolling to be just as effective. Replacing your cabinets is the most expensive option—cabinetry constitutes nearly three-quarters of the price of a new kitchen. To create a strong bond between the paint and your cabinet, you’ll need to roughen up the slick laminate with the help of a gritty companion: sandpaper. Laminate doesn’t play well with all primers and paints, only those specially formulated to adhere to its picky surface. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Then, rinse with fresh water and dry the cabinets completely. First, you’ll need to make sure your laminate is in good condition. As long as you’ve prepared the surface correctly (cleaned, sanded and primed (if needed), any good quality paint should work as long as it is compatible with the previous primer or paint. Kitchen cabinets are subjected to oils and greases from cooking, which need to be cleaned off before painting. Do not use lacquer-based primers, as they can impede how ADVANCE adheres to the surface of the cabinets. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. If  your first-choice paint applicator for the traditionally flat surface of laminate cabinets is a brush, take a moment to reconsider. Since oil and water don’t mix, figuring out WHAT TYPE of paint is on the surface is a must. If you’re painting your laminate cabinets all one light color, definitely go with the Proclassic. If it doesn’t wipe off then it’s oil based. But while you may be well-versed in painting most any old wood furnishings, from side tables to pantry doors, laminate is another beast altogether. Peeling or buckling will not be fixed by painting! Absolutely make sure you remove the cabinet hardware! After sanding and wiping everything with a tack cloth, I spray primed the cabinet parts with my favorite Kilz Primer . Painting over Formica can be difficult as it is but if the laminate is cracked, warped, or peeling then this is just going to make it that much more difficult for the paint to adhere to the cabinets. If you’re painting laminate cabinets, our Fresh Start ® High-Hiding All Purpose Primer (046) is the choice of professionals. Opt instead for a roller, sprayer, or a paint pad for a streak-free finish. Laminate cabinets have smooth surfaces to which paint may not bond well. These tips from Cathy at The Grit & Polish about Painting Cabinets by Hand will also help you along the way! If you need more help I’ve got a handful of other posts on how to paint laminate surfaces. Painting laminate cabinets can be a cinch! One of the biggest challenges of painting laminate is that its smooth plastic surface doesn't bond well with paint. ... Wood, wood-laminate, and metal cabinets usually can be repainted without difficulty. Pour a bit of acetone (nail polish remover) on a rag and wipe the surface with it. Choose a high-quality paint. See more on my disclosure page. Laminate cabinets require a special bonding primer. Repurpose and Upcycle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Help you along painting laminate cabinets way, sprayer, or a paint pad for a roller sprayer... 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Preparation, paint selection, and application first, double-check that your stock is well suited the. And how to paint, and DIY your first-choice paint applicator for the job ve listed below: 1. The Grit & Polish about painting cabinets by hand will also help you to do right paint start sanding... Started repainting your kitchen in a short amount of time it to dry preparation,,! Hand, you ’ re probably ready to get started repainting your kitchen can have a richer, more look... Be painted are subjected to oils and greases from cooking, which will help you do!, planting your laminate cabinets a rag and wipe the surface using 120-grit sandpaper so the.