Well folks I’m at it again; another painting laminate cabinets post. This time I’m sharing all the details on how to REPAINT laminate cabinets. This was another question from a reader that said they couldn’t find a lot of straight forward information. I thought maybe I could shed some light on this subject. I won’t go too deep into the painting process and HOW to paint cabinets, just the highlights and things you need to know to repaint those surfaces.
Before we dive into how to paint laminate kitchen cabinets, it’s always a good idea to know exactly what the surface is made of that you’re painting. I want to make it clear that laminate is a slick surface that’s made of plastic.
That being said, since we are discussing how to repaint laminate it’s going to be just as important to know what type of paint is on the surface. This has to be the first step before you begin to the plan the project in order to get the best results.
This is important to know because if your laminate cabinets have been previously painted with an oil based paint, you’ll need to apply a bonding primer first before you apply a water based paint (same goes for water based paint to oil based paint too). I detailed a post a while ago on how to know if the previous paint is oil based or water based and how to choose the right paint. By the way, your cabinets don’t have to be in good condition to apply new paint over them. You just need good prep work.
How do you know if the previous paint is oil based or water based?
You can do a simple test to decipher if it’s oil or water based. Pour a bit of acetone (nail polish remover) on a rag and wipe the surface with it. If the old paint rubs off on the rag then it’s latex or water based. If it doesn’t wipe off then it’s oil based.
Since oil and water don’t mix, figuring out WHAT TYPE of paint is on the surface is a must.
Grab all your supplies like dust mask, painters tape, drop cloth, paint, paint brush, gloves, roller, primer, etc. and let’s get started.
How to repaint laminate cabinets
- First thing, clean the cabinets with a good cleaner or degreaser (krud kutter is a good one). and let it dry. It doesn’t matter how good the paint job looks, it will never “stick” unless you do the right prep work. This is the most important step.
- Next step, sand the surface lightly with a fine grit sanding block. This is also a good idea to make the paint stick.
- Wipe the surface down with a damp cloth then a tack cloth or lint free cloth to make sure you have smooth surfaces.
- Next determine what type of paint you are going to use for your DIY project. If you are going to apply latex-based paint over oil based paint or vise versa then you need to apply a good bonding primer first. It’s best to repaint the cabinets with the same type of paint that was previously used but if you don’t know what type of paint was previously used, it’s best to start with a primer. You can skip this step if you are using the same type of paint.
- Apply 1-2 coats of primer if needed and let it fully dry. I’ve got a full post on the best primer for cabinets if you are curious which one to choose.
- Apply 1-2 coats of your paint of choice and let it fully dry. Make sure you apply thin layers and let them dry fully. I’ve also got another post on the best paint for cabinets too!
- Apply a good top coat (I’m a believer in a good top coat for a high traffic surface).
What’s the best type of paint to use to repaint laminate cabinets?
As long as you’ve prepared the surface correctly (cleaned, sanded and primed (if needed), any good quality paint should work as long as it is compatible with the previous primer or paint. There are lots of paints on the market that are designed to work with laminate surfaces.
You can see where I used a cabinet paint in a satin finish from Ace Hardware to paint our laminate cabinets in our old house. This paint color is called “Winters Gate” by Benjamin Moore.
I also used General Finishes milk paint to paint our laminate kitchen cabinet island.
I wish I had more of a straightforward answer but there isn’t a right or wrong way to repaint laminate cabinets. Just make sure that the paint that you are applying over the previous paint is compatible. I know a lot of folks like to use chalk paint or chalky finish paint because they know it will adhere better than some other paints. Just be mindful to seal the chalk paint properly! You want a long-lasting finish, so make sure to not skip any step!
If you need more help I’ve got a handful of other posts on how to paint laminate surfaces. Also don’t forget to check out a few tips and tricks on how to paint kitchen cabinets without sanding here.
Also, it’s probably a good idea to check out my list of Do’s and Don’t for painting laminate surfaces. I’ve had a lot of successes, but I’ve also had a lot of fails and I’ve shared all about it so you won’t make the same mistakes I did!
If you’ve read this far then you’re probably ready to get started repainting your kitchen cabinets. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.
Lindsey**