If the laminate you’re painting is really shiny, give it … Well, I’m happy to say that they turned out amazingly well. As explained above and in my tutorial on painting a bathroom vanity, the paint we used for painting our laminate kitchen cabinets was the Benjamin Moore Advance line. Easy DIYs, Furniture Flips, Home Decor Tips, Chalk Paint and Chalk Painted furniture Projects, Milk Paint and Milk Painted Furniture Projects. Please refer to my other articles about the general process of painting cabinets. To get the best results, follow the steps I’ve listed below: Step 1: Prepare Surfaces. 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. The cabinet should be made of medium density fiberboard (MDF), not particleboard. Do’s and Don’t for painting laminate surfaces, Next determine what type of paint you are going to use. how to know if the previous paint is oil based or water based and how to choose the right paint. Then, apply a coat of an acrylic latex paint with a brush or roller using short, even strokes. These tips from Cathy at The Grit & Polish about Painting Cabinets by Hand will also help you along the way! 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. There are angled paintbrushes available in the market, which will help you to do so. If you’ve read this far then you’re probably ready to get started repainting your kitchen cabinets. These popular paint tools tend to leave an unsightly trail of brush strokes in their wake. 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. 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. These cabinets look fantastic.That is what my apartment kitchen looked like with these type of cabinets. See more ideas about laminate kitchen cabinets, painting laminate kitchen cabinets, laminate kitchen. As mentioned above, planting your laminate cabinets is easy to do! Laminate cabinets require a special bonding primer. This was another question from a reader that said they couldn’t find a lot of straight forward information. Is painting laminate kitchen cabinets really a good idea? Once this is done, pour … … 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). Replacing your cabinets is the most expensive option—cabinetry constitutes nearly three-quarters of the price of a new kitchen. Laminate doesn’t play well with all primers and paints, only those specially formulated to adhere to its picky surface. Next, apply an oil-based primer with a brush or roller and wait 4 hours for it to dry. If the old paint rubs off on the rag then it’s latex or water based. How to Paint Laminate Cabinets without Sanding. Painting your laminate cabinets on the other hand can be inexpensive and provide a quick fix. Before painting, you’ll want to clean your cabinets thoroughly. paint our laminate cabinets in our old house. As the price of custom cabinetry has increased, the use of laminates has increased as well. But my philosophy with DIY is always that if I screw something up, I can probably fix it. 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. 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. Opt instead for a roller, sprayer, or a paint pad for a streak-free finish. If you’re painting your laminate cabinets all one light color, definitely go with the Proclassic. I patched some of the uneven surface with my favorite filler Wunderfil . I also used General Finishes milk paint to paint our laminate kitchen cabinet island. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. The first step is to clean your cabinets. 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. Step 1 - Clean the Cabinets. I also recommend the Sherwin Williams Extreme Bond Primer. Especially in the kitchen, cabinets … Just make sure that the paint that you are applying over the previous paint is compatible. I don't have a handyman in my back pocket or mad craftsman skills, I'm just a girl with a desire to create. Hope to see you next week. The laminate must be in good condition for best results. 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. ... Wood, wood-laminate, and metal cabinets usually can be repainted without difficulty. The best primer for laminate kitchen cabinets. But if you're up for the challenge and want to save money, do it yourself. Painting laminate cabinets is not as hard as you think. Disclosure; this post contains affiliate links. Special cabinet paints are available that provide a smooth finish, but any high-quality paint should work. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday. Kitchen cabinets are subjected to oils and greases from cooking, which need to be cleaned off before painting. Laminate cabinets have smooth surfaces to which paint may not bond well. Well folks I’m at it again; another painting laminate cabinet post. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It works so much better than any of the other wood fillers. Painting Laminate Cabinets. … A lot of people spray their cabinets, but I find brushing and rolling to be just as effective. 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. 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. Ensure that the laminate is in good condition by repairing minor laminate damage or re-facing cabinets before applying paint. (For better coverage of a large surface area, consider upgrading to a motorized orbital sander. As part of our kitchen cabinet painting series, we wanted to make sure we included a tutorial on how to paint melamine cabinets. I decided that this post is long overdue being that it’s been well over a year since my first ‘painting laminate cabinets with no prep work has been published. 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. Choose a high-quality paint. I thought maybe I could shed some light on this subject. Get free, no-commitment estimates from pro painters near you. I thought maybe I could shed some light on this subject. Pour a bit of acetone (nail polish remover) on a rag and wipe the surface with it. It glided on evenly and covered flawlessly. See more on my disclosure page. I’ve received a lot of questions over the past few months about how my painted laminate kitchen cabinets have held up. After sanding and wiping everything with a tack cloth, I spray primed the cabinet parts with my favorite Kilz Primer . I only needed one coat. As always though, the true test is seeing how the finish holds up over time. Not nearly as porous as its wooden lookalike, this type of surface requires unique preparation, paint, and paint application. Once it’s dry, gently sand the surface with a 220-grit sandpaper. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions. We are also in the middle of updating our kitchen and our removing the laminate from our cabinets and making them shaker style. Anyway, painting our ugly laminate cabinets seemed like the best place to start. 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. 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. And the clean up is easier! Peeling and Painting Laminate Kitchen Cabinets. This was another question from a reader that said they couldn’t find a lot of straight forward information. You have to use an angled paintbrush to paint on these areas. But first, double-check that your stock is well suited for the job. Follow these best practices to reinvigorate your laminate cabinetry with a fresh face that lasts! If you spot some bubbles in the coat, that means it is not adhering well; consult a paint dealer at your hardware store to pinpoint a more suitable paint for the job. Mar 23, 2017 - Explore Heather Ford's board "paint laminate cabinets" on Pinterest. 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. Painted cabinets are no different. 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. 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. Wood cabinets are ideal for painting, but any surface that can be scuffed with sandpaper can be painted. Do not use lacquer-based primers, as they can impede how ADVANCE adheres to the surface of the cabinets. Peeling or buckling will not be fixed by painting! One of the biggest challenges of painting laminate is that its smooth plastic surface doesn't bond well with paint. If it doesn’t wipe off then it’s oil based. By Manasa Reddigari and Bob Vila. 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. 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! This does not affect the price you pay. First, you’ll need to make sure your laminate is in good condition. Painting laminate cabinets can be an effective way to update the look of your home without the cost of replacing the cabinets. Well folks I’m at it again; another painting laminate cabinet post. Your upper body will thank you.) Your choice depends on how much you want to spend. After you’re done, take a break: the primer must dry at least 24 hours before moving on to Step 5. This time I’m sharing all the details on how to REPAINT laminate cabinets. Absolutely make sure you remove the cabinet hardware! Painting laminate cabinets can be a cinch! If laminate is cracked, warped, or peeling, that damage can interfere with the bonding of paint to the cabinet. Then, rinse with fresh water and dry the cabinets completely. 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. A little pricey too, but worth it. 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. Remove knobs, pulls, and other visible cabinet hardware before painting laminate cabinets for smooth paint application without obstructions. It's a process, but so worth it. I wish I had more of a straightforward answer but there isn’t a right or wrong way to repaint laminate cabinets. Then clean your cabinets really well. 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. Also, it’s probably a good idea to check out my list of Do’s and Don’t for painting laminate surfaces. I also suggest picking up a cabinet and resting it against your leg – then using your roller to get all the sides. Your email address will not be published. Prime your cabinets for painting We’re using Dulux Renovator Range Plastic and Laminate Primer – it comes in a tin. 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. You can do a simple test to decipher if it’s oil or water based. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Prime them for perfect color with these tips for surface prep, paint selection, and application. 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. 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. This time I’m sharing all the details on how to REPAINT laminate cabinets. Painting Your Laminate Cabinets. To clean them, use warm soapy water only, avoiding any harsh chemicals that may react with the paint. If you are going to apply water based paint over oil based paint or vise versa then you need to apply a, Apply 1-2 coats of primer if needed and let it fully dry, Apply 1-2 coats of your paint of choice and let it fully dry, Apply a good top coat (I’m a believer in a. Since oil and water don’t mix, figuring out WHAT TYPE of paint is on the surface is a must. People are often apprehensive about painting kitchen cabinets, period. good top coat for a high traffic surface). Painting laminate cabinets offers an inexpensive way to update the appearance of your kitchen in a short amount of time. Apr 16, 2019 - Explore Ellen Anderson's board "Painting laminate kitchen cabinets" on Pinterest. Painting kitchen cabinets can be tiring and you can easily hire a pro to do the job. Painting laminate cabinets, changing out the doors, and entirely replacing the cabinets are all possibilities. You can see where I used a cabinet paint from Ace Hardware to paint our laminate cabinets in our old house. 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