Go Kitchens

Can I paint a laminate covered kitchen cabinet?

Public Comments

1. Painting laminate cabinets can be a tedious job -- you'll need a lot of patience -- but it is also very easy, even if you've never painted anything. Plus, the results are amazing. Just finishing one cupboard will keep you motivated to finish them all. Before you start, consider the following: * Budget: How much are you willing to spend on the paint, hardware and supplies? * Time: Assuming you work full-time, I'd plan on taking a week to complete the project. Give yourself a few hours each night after work to devote to it and then a full weekend. (Depending on the size of your kitchen, it could take more or less time.) * Space: Designate a work area that you can leave set up for the week where you can lay the doors out to paint them and then let them dry properly. There are a couple of options for painting your cabinets yourself. One option is to use Majic's Diamondhard Acrylic Enamel paint, www.majicpaints.com. This paint does not require any sanding or priming. It is an extremely durable and will give you a beautiful finished product, as long as you apply it properly. Follow these easy steps: 1. Remove all the doors and drawers (if possible) and all the old hardware. Fill any holes, if necessary, with wood putty (following wood putty manufacturer's instructions). 2. Thoroughly clean the cabinets. Majic recommends using a low-sudsing detergent and water (use 1 part detergent to 3 parts water). Rinse thoroughly. Allow to dry completely. If you need to use bleach to clean your cabinets, allow them to dry for at least 48 hours before painting. 3. Using painter's tape, tape around the frames of the cabinets, floor and any other areas where you will be applying the paint. 4. Spread plastic drop cloths on the surface where you'll be painting the doors. If you are using a large table, make sure you raise the doors off the plastic. (If you lay the doors directly on the plastic, they will stick to it.) I like to use old paint cans or even soup cans to raise them up -- that way you can paint all the sides and edges properly. 5. Paint with a good-quality nylon brush or premium short nap (3/16- or 1/4-inch) roller. Make sure you don't overbrush and try to brush in one direction. 6. You need to allow 24 to 48 hours of curing time before applying a second coat and two to three weeks before you put the doors back up. The longer the paint cures, the harder the finish becomes. The other option -- if you want a more customized look on your cabinets -- is to use a glaze or tone-on-tone colors. If you decide on this option, I'd recommend using an acrylic latex paint and a glaze. Follow steps 1-4 above, but you'll also need to sand, prime and paint the cabinetry. The drying time is usually eight hours between coats and 48 hours before you install. I'd recommend picking up Do It Now, Do It Fast, Do It Right: Paint Transformations (Taunton Press, 2004) by Taunton Press Editors, www.doitnowfastright.com. This book devotes an entire chapter to cabinet makeovers, with a step-by-step guide and photographs from prep to finish. Good luck with your project.
2. You can paint it as long as you sand it, scuff it, anything to take the shine off. Use a good primer and you will be sure that your paint will adhere to it good.
3. Yes you can. First you will need to remove the doors and hardware. Then sand all the surfaces you are going to paint. Not heavily, just enough to rough up the surface. Then prime and paint. Your paint store will be able to advise you as what type of paint and primer to use.