How To Paint Laminate Furniture
Learn how to paint laminate furniture and cabinets easily these tips and step by step instructions. You’ll avoid frustrating mistakes and have a long-lasting piece that shines!
Yield: 1 dresser
Cost: $50
Equipment
- Orbital Sander You may or may not need it.
- Paint Brush I prefer fine taklon brushes.
Materials
- Cleaner I've used everything from teaspoon to Krud Cutter, and Goo-B-Gone for sticky messes.
- Lint free rags
- Sandpaper 120 grit
- Drop Cloths
- Lint-free Microfiber rollers Some paints work better with foam rollers
- Painter's Tape
- Paint trays
- Hi-Adhesion Primer
- Paint
- Protective Top Coat
Instructions
- Repair Surface. Remove doors and drawers. Unscrew hardware. Repair any scratches or dings and fill any holes. Use epoxy to make small repairs in plastic laminate or wood filler for paper printed materials. If the melamine or formica layer is loose from the substrate, reattach it with a construction adhesive and allow it to dry.
- Clean Surface. Clean using a mild cleaner that won't leave a residue. Clean everything, even if it's not directly on the surface that you're painting. Tape off any edges you don’t want painted such as inside doors.
- Sanding. There are many different types of laminated surfaces, and many can’t be sanded. However, using an orbital sander and 120 grit sandpaper may allow you to add more gripping tooth to the surface. Test in an inconspicuous area. Most of the harder plastics won’t sand very well if at all. Don’t push it if it isn’t working.
- Prime with a quality high bonding primer with two coats. Allow to dry 24 hours. You will get the best results if you brush details or corners then roll before the primer has time to dry. Sand lightly after both coats of primer are on to test the fastness and to get a smooth finish.
- Paint with 2 coats of paint. You can use either a paint sprayer or brushes and rollers. Use rollers for larger, flat surfaces. If brushing, brush with the grain and always from one end to the other. If paint starts to dry, don't go back over it.
Notes
Get the right tools. A few extra dollars will save you a lot of heartache and frustration. I have a helpful post on painting without brush strokes here.
