If you want to modernize your kitchen cabinets, you have many options. In addition to promising more expensive replacements for outdated kitchen pantries, repainting laminate cabinets is an affordable way to turn the visually impaired into striking modern cabinets. Follow these best practices to revitalize your laminate wood cabinets for a lasting fresh look!
Table of Contents
How to Paint Laminate Cabinets
- What Kind Of Paint To Use When Painting Laminate Cabinets?
In short, if you use a good bonding primer, as long as it’s a good latex, oil-based, or high-performance paint, the type of paint doesn’t matter that much.
- Materials to paint laminate cabinets:
- foam brush
- regular brush
- primer
- paint of your choice
- degreaser or cleaner
- High-performance water-based satin finish
- How to Paint Laminate Cabinets
Step 1: Prepare the Surface
Preparation is the key to getting the best results. Paint-damaged or dusty laminate will only accentuate defects. Now is the time to make the necessary repairs.
Remove all cabinet doors and hardware. Don’t forget the hinges! Carefully inspect the laminate surface and repair any warpage or cracks. Thoroughly clean and lightly sand. Wipe the surface with an adhesive cloth to keep it dust-free.
Step 2: Prime the Cabinets and Doors
Choose a high-quality brush and roller to apply the primer, we recommend using the Dixie Belle Paint’s Slider (for smooth laminate cabinets). To achieve a stroke-free finish, use the brush to draw edges and tight points, and the scroll wheel on larger surfaces.
Step 3: Sand the Laminate Surface Again
Let the primer dry completely. Lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper and wipe with an adhesive cloth.
Step 4: Paint
Time to paint! Choose a paint designed for laminate surfaces as it dries quickly to create a hard, chip-resistant surface that is easy to clean. The satin finish helps hide any imperfections, and the tintable paint will match your color to the cabinets.
Adding styling to existing cabinets can easily change the look of a flat front door. You can buy wood or composite moldings in a variety of designs and widths at your local hardware store and can be beveled on-site to your specifications. Follow the same steps as above to prime and paint the moldings. When they are completely dry, glue them to the front of the cabinet with wood glue.
The Dos and Don’ts of Painting Laminate Cabinets
Don’ts:
- Do not paint on damaged laminate
If the laminate cracks, warps, or peels, this damage can interfere with the adhesion of the paint to the cabinets. Make sure the laminate is in good condition by repairing minor laminate damage or refacing the cabinet before painting.
- Do not leave dirt and grit behind
You might look closely at your cabinets and decide that any grime is small enough to be covered up with paint, but your dirty secrets are revealed when the color doesn’t adhere well to the laminate. Before you start painting laminate cabinets, use trisodium phosphate to gently wipe off any dirt and grease on them. Then, rinse with fresh water and dry the cabinets completely.
- Do not use any old primer and paint
Laminate doesn’t work well with all primers and paints, only those specially formulated to stick to its finicky surface. If you choose a primer, choose a bonding primer strong enough to adhere to the laminate (see examples on Amazon), then after the primer has cured, apply oil or latex paint on top of it. If you choose a paint that can be applied directly to the laminate (see examples on Amazon), you can skip the primer, just be aware that this limitation may limit your color choices.
don’t leave a stroke
If your first choice of paint applicator for traditional flat laminate cabinets is a brush, take a moment to reconsider. These popular painting tools tend to leave an unsightly brushstroke trail. Choose a roller, sprayer or paint pad for a streak-free finish.
Dos:
- Be sure to remove the enclosure hardware
Before painting laminate cabinets, remove knobs, handles, and other visible cabinet hardware to allow for smooth painting without obstruction. You can cover the metal on the hinges with painter’s tape and paint the door in place, or, if the hinges are visible and removable, remove the door from the cabinet and paint separately on the bench or sawhorse.
- Sanding cabinets
To create a strong bond between the paint and the cabinets, you will need to roughen the smooth laminate with the help of sandpaper. (For better coverage of larger surface areas, consider upgrading to an electric orbital sander. Your upper body will thank you.) Thoroughly scrub the cabinet surface with 120-grit sandpaper, enough for dust removal, but not too large, so as not to tear the tissue paper laminate surface, and use a hand-held vacuum cleaner and damp cloth to remove any dust residue.
- Be sure to test your paint
With paint in hand, you can almost get to work. But first, double-check that your stock is right for the job. Testing its adhesion before committing to the entire paint job avoids peeling paint on the road and hours of redoing the job. Apply your paint to a small, inconspicuous spot on the cabinet (like the back of a cabinet you barely opened), let it cure, and check for adhesion. If you notice some air bubbles on the coat, it means it’s not adhering well; consult your hardware store paint dealer to determine a better paint for the job.
- Minimize smoke exposure
Since primers and paints emit strong fumes (you are close to them when painting laminate cabinets), increase ventilation in the room and keep children and pets out. Finally, put on a pair of chemical-resistant work gloves before you go to paint the city, or in this case, your cabinets are red!
Conclusion
As you can see, painting laminate floor cabinets is a cost-effective and quick way to breathe new life into your kitchen. If you have the budget, be sure to explore this avenue before investing in new cabinets.
