Painting laminate furniture

Question

I'm looking for suggestions for the best way to paint a cheap laminate nightstand. Chalk paint? Primer and latex? I would like to try some cool colors. Any ideas?

Margita · Answer

Maybe this article will help: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/21/AR2005092100593.html

Shannon O- Junkflirt · Answer

Chalk paint will cover without any primer or sanding. I have painted with it over laminate many times. You can make your own or buy the more expensive (but quality) Annie Sloan. If you use chalk you will have to seal with wax. This is a post on my blog on my previous paint experience and recommendations. http://www.asouthernbellewithnorthernroots.com/2014/02/painting-furniture-annie-sloan-paint-or.html

Carole · Answer

I have heard that unless you are using chalk paint which apparently will adhere well to any surface, including laminate, that you need to use a shellac based primer first. This will aid paint to stick properly to the surface. A very light sand prior may also help. Sand first, primer then paint. You might need more than one coat of primer depending on whether the colour of the veneer still shows through. If painting in bright colours or red, you may find a grey toned primer helps (especially when using red paint) to allow the topcoat better coverage. White primer under red paint will necessitate several coats of red as it does not cover well over white primer. Just a pitfall to look out for. Chalk paint, though more expensive could be the answer as you may not need to prime first. The extra you spend on the chalk paint is negated by the money you save on primer. It is all swings and roundabouts really! I just ordered some chalk paint on line as it works out no dearer probably than buying two products, primer and paint and it saves time on the application and dries quickly too. You may need to wax it after though. I cannot wait to try the chalk paint out and have read up a lot about it on Hometalk from others who have recently tried it for the first time and how they found it to work with. You also don't have to be expert painter as no problems with brush strokes like there can be with other paints.

Barbara R · Answer

I have seen many furniture pieces painted with chalkpaint. I have not tried it myself. The only thing i don't like about chalkpaint is the people take an old piece, paint it, then sand the corners down, wax it and make it look like a truck ran over it! It just looks so damaged to me. If you want to make it look more modern, don't sand the corners to make it looked 'antiqued', like they did in the 70s when it was a fad...use some touches of accent colors, like gold or silver and leave the edges alone. (Just my opinion). Send us some finished pics!

DIY Fun Ideas · Answer

Here's how I refinished laminate: http://diyfunideas.com/?p=5471 Hope that helps a bit. :-)

Rosemary Miller · Answer

I have used Krylon spray paint that can be used on plastic. They have lots of great colors and comes out beautiful.

Jane · Answer

Check with your favorite paint store for DIY types of paint to use for different things.

Tee · Answer

I was told by the people at chalk paint to use a shellac base as this will make any paint hold including chalkpaint.

Linda Wells-Harr · Answer

Almost anything looks better if it is sanded before painting. The paint adheres better if it is just mildly scuffed.

LeeAnn Gerleman · Answer

I've just been reading up on chalk paint, so I won't be a pro for awhile, haha. I usually buy the amazondotcom must be put together small dressers for the bathroom or bedside tables, so they are usually painted white before I get them. I usually just rub one of those sanding blocks over it, being careful to sand in corners, etc. If I miss a place, that will be where the paint comes off and the white shows through. (chalk paint, here I come). I then use regular latex paint, a good brand, I like Medallion. I also love to use one of those small 4' rollers after painting the corners, etc. the 4' with the wool covering, leaves those small dimples that look better than any paint marks. i also have a 'Antiques store barn' near my house in Iowa. The barn is filled with old furniture and its pretty reasonable. so I go there a few times a year to see what she's got that is new.

Cindy Bass'Harper Roman · Answer

Lightly sand the surface first and most paints will adhere....get into some fun colors.. Hope this helps Good Luck and most importantly enjoy your project.

MaryStLouis · Answer

I painted this laminate hutch with chalk paint, using Annie Sloan chalk paint in a custom mix. Use either chalk paint or oil-based primer under any water-based paint you choose and you shouldn't have any trouble. You'll need to protect the paint with a top coat or wax if you use chalk paint.

Sharon Russell · Answer

My little vintage camper had water damage inside. The 5 little drawers had the veneer peeling back. I pulled it all off, sanded the fronts, and painted them with a glossy cream paint. It worked fine. Glamorous, no, but clean and looks better.

Mary Barber · Answer

Any kind of laminate you want to paint must first be primed with an oiled based primer. Allow to dry then paint away! Has worked well for me.......

Margaret · Answer

Annie Sloan paint. It. Is easy to use and covers well.

Sharon Twichell · Answer

I never thought about painting my laminated furniture. Glad I got 'bumped' into this conversation. Thanks, Ladies!

Jean DiGiacomo · Answer

There is a Pinterest post called how to paint laminated wood with out sanding. I just found it last night!

Pat Hollenbeck · Answer

First, light sanding to give the primer adhesion.  One or more coats of a good quality primer and then latex.  If a heavy use area I finalize with a marine grade polyurethane.  I have done this to many old bathroom countertops.  Works beautifully.

Christine Turner · Answer

I have used Annie Sloan chalk paint to cover new and old furniture and it works great--no sanding needed before painting either. She and others have YouTube videos you can watch

Patti Fraser Griswold · Answer

I have painted lots of laminate furniture with Annie Sloan paint. It is fantastic stuff. I also painted laminate kitchen cabinets but on those I put a coat of Zinsers primer before the Annie Sloan.

Patti Fraser Griswold · Answer

And.....the best feature about Annie Sloan is that you don't need any prep like sanding etc.  the piece you show should be easy without sanding or priming. There are lots of colors to choose from but if none of them suit what you are looking for, they can be mixed.  AS dealers should have a chart for mixing. I am not a dealer....just a fan of the paint and what you can do with it.

Mandy Loriot · Answer

Use Zinnser primer on it first to give the chalk paint the best surface to stick to andthengo for itit.  I've used both spray Zinnser and the regular brush on kind out of the paint can.

Liliana Wells · Answer

I hear that Annie Sloan paint is great. It is a bit pricey. You may want to look for an American-made one, such as American Paint Company or even make your own. Google is your friend.

Karen Kilburn · Answer

Make your own chalk paint.

Denise Hardy · Answer

Hi @Tracey Stack if you want a 'professional' finish to your furniture you will need Zinsser BIN/123 for your primer - if the furniture is fairly good condition then there is no need to sand it because the Zinsser primer will stick to anything. Then you will need an Acrylic Eggshell paint, which you can get in many colours. I hand paint furniture for a living and between Annie Sloan's paint and using the Zinsser Primer and Acrylic Eggshell - the Zinsser and Eggshell will give you a far far better finish. (You can have Eggshell paint mixed to any colour of your choice) Please see my website http://www.decorativeideas.co.uk showing furniture painted using this method.

Judy Burns · Answer

Light sand then Kilz paint then your paint.

Karen Smithson · Answer

I have used a product called No Sand in the past and have had fairly good results with it. Rub it on liberally and allow to dry well then paint.

Katie Casey · Answer

I haven't used chalk paint. But I have painted a lot if laminate. The primer needs to be shellac-based.  Zinsser and BIN both make one I think. Can't remember if Kilz does, but probably so. Then you can use whatever you want over it. Good luck!

Sherri Taylor · Answer

Don't use Kilz primer.  You need a bonding like Zinsser Bin/123.  That's a damn good primer.  No sand probably won't work on laminate.  It works by making the surface tacky, like varnish or something similar.  And you usually have to do whatever top coat within so many minutes or you have to reapply.  I've had lots of training, selling and using different paint products in my 54 years including 11 out of 19 years in the paint dept. at Lowe's.

Recreate · Answer

I used regular chalk board paint , worked great for me

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