We may bring in receipts from the products available on this page and enter in affiliate program . pick up More ›
Is your kitchen take care a lilliputian big for wearable ? Instead of committing to the expense of replace rundown kitchen cabinets , consider the more price - effectual solution of repainting them . repaint laminate cabinets is an affordable way to turn eyesore memory into eye - catching , modern cabinetry . While you may already screw how to paint furniture , doors , and cabinetwork that are made of wood , paint laminate is another creature altogether .
Tools & Materials
Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchases made through these links .
Project Overview
Working Time : 15 to 30 hoursTotal Time : One weekSkill stratum : IntermediateEstimated monetary value : $ 200 to $ 400
How to Paint Laminate Cabinets
When painting over laminate cabinets , the first affair you have to do is pick out a timber paint . The ripe eccentric of paint will exit a flake - resistant conclusion that ’s gentle to scavenge with a moist fabric or quick study . Paint with a satin finish will afford the in force results because it will avail hide the cabinets ’ imperfections .
paint laminate surfaces also take a few extra steps and careful preparation . Make indisputable to learn all of the steps below before starting this project .
Painting Laminate Cabinets: Dos and Don’ts for Getting the Job Done
There are many missteps that can ruin a laminate storage locker painting project , including failing to take away the hardware before painting to using the wrong fuzee . Review these tip to ensure you cease up with a professional - looking key occupation .
Don’tpaint over damaged laminate.
If laminate is cracked , warped , or desquamation , blusher may not bind to the console decent . Before house painting , ensure that the laminate is in good condition by reanimate minor laminate harm orrefacing the cabinet .
Doremove cabinet hardware.
To get the politic software of paint , you first involve to slay all obstructions in your room . take knob , pulls , and other visible cabinet hardware before paint laminate cabinets . If the cabinet hinges are seeable and removable , take the door off the storage locker and paint them over a work bench or sawhorse . If you choose to paint the doorway in post , cover metal hinges withpainter ’s tape .
Don’tleave dirt and grit behind.
Before you paint laminate cabinets , usetrisodium phosphateto wipe aside grime . gargle the cabinets with water and allow them to dry completely . Do n’t skip this gradation because you reckon the cabinet look light - ish ; the rouge wo n’t adhere to the laminate if the open is sordid .
Dosand the cabinets.
To create a potent bond between the paint and your locker , roughen up the silken laminate with the aid of a gritty companion : sandpaper . Thoroughly scuff the surface of the cabinet with 120 - grit emery paper — enough to get a dusting , but not so much that you tear through the paper - slender laminate surface . Clean up any dusty stay with a handheld vacuum and a damp cloth .
If you plan on sandpaper several cabinets , view promote from sandpaper to a motorizedorbital sander . Your upper body will thank you .
Don’tuse just any old primer or paint.
Laminate does n’t play well with all primer coat and paints , only those specially formulated to stick to its finical surface . If you opt for a primer , pick out a bonding priming that ’s tenacious enough to stupefy to laminate , likeZinsser Interior Primer , and then top it with an oil- or latex paint - based paint after the primer has cured .
If you select a rouge that can be applied directly over laminate , likeBehr Premium semi - gloss cabinet pigment , you may cut the primer — just know that your choice of colors will be limited .
Dotest your paint first.
Paint in bridge player , you ’re almost quick to get to work . Before you start , first screen the blusher ’s soldering potentiality . This footfall could salvage you from a typeface of pare key down the road , and the need to redo hours of body of work .
Apply a swath of blusher to a small-scale , invisible area of the cabinet ( like the back of a door you seldom open ) , permit it heal , then inspect the bonding . If you see bubble in the pelage , the paint is not adhere well . Consult a rouge pro at a paint or home improvement storehouse to distinguish a more suitable ware for the job .
Don’tleave brush strokes behind.
Paint brushwood tend to pull up stakes brush strokes in their Wake Island . For a bar - free polish on bland laminate cabinet control surface , opt instead for aroller , sprayer , or a pigment pad .
Dominimize your exposure to fumes.
Primers and paints relinquish dangerous smoke , which is why it ’s important to increase ventilation in the way as you ’re working . Keep children and pets out of the space too . We also recommend pulling on a yoke ofchemical - resistant study glovesbefore you go off to paint the townspeople — or perhaps in this example , your cabinets — cerise !
FAQs
Ahead , learn how to learn if your cabinet are laminate or real Sir Henry Joseph Wood , and reveal out how much you may expect to spend on this undertaking .
Q: How do I tell if I have laminate cabinets?
There are a few way you may go over to see if your cabinet are laminate : Look at the edge of the cabinet doors . If they ’re smooth , they ’re likely laminate . you could also run your hand over the open of the cabinets . tangible wood will usually be grating , while laminate cabinet will have a very smooth finish .
Q: Do I need to use primer when painting laminate?
Primer is essential when painting laminate cabinet . If you neglect to prime them , the rouge will almost for sure begin peeling off as presently as you put the cabinets back into service of process . For best results , utilize a quality binding primer , such asZinsser B - I - N undercoat and sealant .
Q: When painting laminate, do I actually have to sand the cabinets?
If you absolutely hate sandpaper , you do n’t have to sand the cabinets . However , the primer and paint will better stick to to the cabinets , and you ’ll get a smooth finish if you do . An option to sanding is to use a gooddeglosser , which acts as a liquidity smoother .
Q: How much does it cost to hire a professional to paint your cabinets?
If you require tohire a professional to paint your kitchen cabinets , expect to pay up $ 400 to $ 1,300 for the chore , depending on the amount of cabinetwork you have and the market place you live in . If you plan on painting the console yourself , expect to pay $ 35 and $ 80 per gallon of paint and another $ 100 or so in supply .
Final Thoughts
By following the above methods , you’re able to give your quondam can orkitchen cabinetsa unfermented flavor , saving hundreds or even thousands over the cost of interchange them . Do keep in brain that while paintingkitchen cabinetsisn’t a difficult undertaking , it is significant to use the right priming coat and paint along with the right proficiency to achieve good and long - lasting results . Patience is central when paint laminate cabinets , as this is a time - consuming task that typically requires multiple days to fill out .
This Is the yr for a Kitchen Renovation
Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we think this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stick on budget .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: maderacabinets.com
Photo: cabinetdoors.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
