Unlike wood, laminate is a smooth surface that can make it difficult for paint to stick. That’s why a good sanding is important to make sure the primer and paint adhere properly.
Painting a piece of laminate furniture empowers you to breathe new life into your kitchen, desk, bookcase or dresser for a budget-friendly price. Contact Cabinet Refinishing Modesto for more details.
Preparation
If your kitchen cabinets are lacking a bit of pop, painting them is one of the most cost-effective and DIY-friendly ways to give them a facelift. However, before you break out the brushes and primer, be sure to sand them down to create an even, smooth surface. This will ensure that your paint adheres properly and helps to avoid any chipping or peeling down the line.
Once the sanding process is complete, it’s time to apply a coat of high-quality primer that’s specifically designed for laminate surfaces. This will help to protect your cabinets and ensure that your finish holds up for a long time to come.
When it’s time to start painting, make sure you use a paint brush that’s rated for laminate surfaces and choose a color that suits your overall kitchen design plan. You can also opt for a glossier finish for added protection and shine. Finally, be sure to leave ample time for the paint to dry, as laminate isn’t as absorbent as wood and may take a little longer to fully cure.
If you want to add a touch of personality to your cabinets, try adding some fun, contrasting accent colors. A splash of red, for example, can instantly liven up a neutral color palette. Alternatively, you can add dimension to your cabinetry by pairing white cabinet doors with a natural wood finish on the drawer fronts and frame.
Another option for updating your laminate cabinets is replacing the door and drawer fronts with a new material like 3D Laminate. This offers a more modern look and comes in a variety of styles, textures, and finishes that mimic premium cabinet materials like oak, cherry, and hickory. This is a great choice for homeowners who are happy with their layout but want to breathe new life into dated cabinetry.
Laminate cabinet refacing is a great alternative to full replacement and can be completed in much less time. It’s also significantly more budget-friendly and environmentally friendly than a complete remodel, making it an ideal solution for anyone looking to revitalize their kitchen without breaking the bank.
Primer
A quality primer is a critical foundation to any paint job. It ties the new coat of paint to what it’s covering, and allows the coat to adhere to wood surfaces. With laminate furniture, this is especially important. Laminate is slick, and without the right primer, it’s difficult for paint to stick.
A good primer can make or break a refinishing project. It’s also essential to properly clean the cabinets before priming. Use a liquid deglosser like Krud Kutter to remove grease and oil, then wipe the cabinetry with a damp cloth to ensure it’s clean. Once it’s dry, sand the cabinets lightly using 100- to 120-grit sandpaper and vacuum or tack cloth away any dust.
There are many different types of primer, but for laminate furniture, you’ll want a bonding primer that grips to the surface. One of the best options is INSL-X STIX, which is engineered for glossy surfaces and sticks to laminate with ease. It can even be used over dark topcoat colors and dries quickly. This product is water-based and low-odor, making it suitable for indoor use.
Other bonding primers include KILZ Adhesion, which is designed for difficult-to-paint surfaces. It’s a low-VOC and water-based formula that’s safe to use indoors and dries to a hard finish that’s ready for topcoats in hours. It’s easy to use, too, as it can be applied with a brush or a roller.
Another option is clear porosity sealer that’s formulated to work well on laminate. It blocks tannin bleed and promotes adhesion to the wood, creating a strong base for other coatings. It also dries quickly, and it’s compatible with both latex and oil-based paints.
Once you’ve applied the right kind of primer, it’s time to reattach the cabinets and bring your kitchen back to life! Depending on your budget, this is a great opportunity to upgrade the hardware or install soft-close hinges. It’s important to take your time while reattaching the hardware and using a level to ensure the doors are straight. Once you’re done, sit back and admire your work.
Paint
You can refresh the look of your kitchen without spending a fortune by painting laminate cabinets. However, you need to take the time to prepare the cabinetry, sand and prime it, and choose the right paint for the job. If you do it correctly, the new finish will last for years and brighten up your whole kitchen.
The first step in any painting project is applying a coat of primer. For this project, you will need a primer that can be tinted to match your final cabinet paint color. It is important to use a high-quality primer, as it will ensure the smooth surface of the laminate can grip the paint and help prevent peeling in the future.
After the primer has dried, you can start to sand the laminate. Using fine-grit sandpaper, gently sand the surface of your laminate cabinets to roughen it up and get it ready for the next steps in your refinishing process. Be careful not to sand through the laminate, and use a dust mask to protect your face. After sanding, clean up any dusty areas with a damp cloth or vacuum.
When selecting a paint for your laminate cabinets, it is important to find one that is made specifically for surfaces like wood and laminate. You want a paint that is durable and can withstand moisture and heat. You will also want a paint that will hide any grease smudges and fingerprints easily. A matte sheen is the best option for this type of situation, and Benjamin Moore has a great line of alkyd matte finishes that are durable and easy to wipe down.
It is also important to use a top-quality satin or semi-gloss latex paint, as it will provide the best results and will dry quickly. Lastly, make sure you follow all the application and safety guidelines that come with your chosen paint. Once your paint has cured, you can reattach the cabinet doors and enjoy your newly refreshed kitchen!
Finish
Refacing cabinets is an affordable way to breathe new life into a kitchen, but you can also refresh laminate furniture pieces like desks, coffee tables and bookshelves by painting them. You may think that the glossy surface of a piece of laminate would be too difficult to paint, but it’s actually quite simple. From the supplies needed to the prep work required to the application process, this step-by-step guide from Benjamin Moore outlines everything you need to know to successfully repaint your laminate cabinetry.
The first thing you need to do is set up a workspace to tackle the project. You’ll need a place that isn’t as high-traffic as the inside of your home and will be safe from rain (since cabinets often collect grease and grime, you’ll want to use a degreaser that’s appropriate for laminate). Once you’ve set up your workspace, take all the cabinet doors off of their hinges and label them so that you can put them back in their proper places after the paint job is complete.
Next, you’ll need to give the cabinet surfaces a light sanding using fine-grit sandpaper to rough up the gloss and allow the primer to adhere more effectively. Be careful not to oversand, as you could end up damaging the laminate material underneath. After sanding, wipe away any dust residue and vacuum the crevices to get rid of all the little bits of dust that tend to settle in there.
Once you’ve finished sanding, apply a bonding primer to the surface of your cabinetry and allow it to dry thoroughly. Once it has, lightly sand again with a slightly higher-grit sandpaper to create a smoother finish. Once you’ve sanded again, wipe the surfaces down and vacuum off any dust to get the surface ready for your final coat of paint.
You can also opt to stain instead of paint, if you prefer. Staining requires more time and patience, but it will create a more natural-looking and durable finish.