How to Paint Laminated Kitchen Cabinets (May 18, 2009)

If you want to spruce up your tired looking laminate cabinets, but cannot afford to replace them, then consider painting. Painting over laminate involves choosing the right paint and preparing the surfaces correctly. When these two things are done, the results are a great finish that lasts for years. While this is not overly difficult, it does involve some effort and will require you to remove the cabinet doors for several days.

Preparing the Cabinets



1. 
   
   Step 1
   
   

   Wash the cabinets to remove any dirt, grease and grime.

   
   
2. 
   
   Step 2
   
   

   Use TSP and wash the laminate cabinets again. This will remove any remaining grease and help to degloss the cabinets. Rinse well.

   
   
3. 
   
   Step 3
   
   

   Remove all cabinet hardware. This includes removing the doors from the hinges. Set the cabinet doors on a drop cloth or newspaper.

   
   
4. 
   
   Step 4
   
   

   Sand the entire surface with a medium or fine grade sandpaper. You need to remove the gloss of the laminate to provide a surface the primer can bond with.

   
   
5. 
   
   Step 5
   
   

   Wipe the cabinets with a damp sponge or a tack cloth to remove all of the dust caused by sanding.

   
   
6. 
   
   Step 6
   
   

   Tape off wall areas and cover counters and floors with newspaper or drop cloths to protect them.

   
   
7. 
   
   Step 7
   
   

   Paint your cabinets with a coat of primer. Use either tinted shellac or alkyd (oil-based) primer. Although these are harder to work with, they dry faster and adhere better to smoother surfaces. According to John Dee, from "This Old House," spray-applied primers hold better than brush on primers. Therefore, you may want to spray the primer onto the cabinet doors---which will get more wear than the cabinet bases and can be taken outside to spray.

   
   
8. 
   
   Step 8
   
   

   Allow the primer to dry and cure according to the manufacturer's guidelines. This can be anywhere from 2 to 48 hours.

   
   
9. 
   
   Step 9
   
   

   Lightly sand the primer with a very-fine grade sandpaper. This will smooth out the primer as well as giving the paint a better surface to adhere to.

   
   
10. 
    
    Step 10
    
    

    Apply a thin coat of paint and allow to dry.

    
    
11. 
    
    Step 11
    
    

    Apply a second coat of paint and allow to dry. Applying two thin coats will give you better coverage than one thick coat.

    
    
12. 
    
    Step 12
    
    

    Once the paint has dried and cured, protect it with two or three coats of satin or high-gloss polyurethane sealer.

    
    
13. 
    
    Step 13
    
    

    Allow the sealer to dry for at least 24 hours before replacing the cabinet doors and hardware.

    
    
14. 
    
    Step 14
    
    

    Apply a tiny amount of cooking oil anywhere the cabinet doors touch the cabinets. This oil will ensure that the paint does not stick, but still allows them to cure.

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