How to paint "paper" laminate cupboards?

Nan
by Nan
I live in a manufactured home and the cupboards in the kitchen & bathrooms are really just paper covered particle board. The years of damp fingers are removing the finish. WHAT CAN BE DONE? Thanks

  7 answers
  • Ken Ken on Feb 08, 2018

    I have faced this same issue. It's not paper, it is actually a thin plastic film. Not that it matters. Mine had what were actually very nice solid oak doors, it was the face frame with the wrap, and the wrap didn't even match the doors..


    Remove the doors, peel away any of the film that will come off and sand the rest with an orbital sander until you are satisfied that it is smooth and the remaining wrap well-adhered. Clean the dust off. Prime then paint with a high-quality enamel-like paint like Rust-Oleum's Painter's Touch. If the doors are flat you can do the same with them. Raised panel doors are a bit more trouble sanding but as long as you get rid of the gloss and make them very clean the paint will adhere.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 08, 2018

    Polyurethane Varnish. Satin

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Feb 08, 2018

    You could use a vinyl type wrap like they use on vans and some furniture. I've never seen anyone do it, except for on vans and food trucks (instead of painting) but, have read about it and recently came across this product on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/VVIVID-Finish-Textured-Furniture-Install/dp/B01B85UXSO/ref=pd_sbs_201_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01B85UXSO&pd_rd_r=9TKMFT4HSVK85G3M8X67&pd_rd_w=es88w&pd_rd_wg=DYala&psc=1&refRID=9TKMFT4HSVK85G3M8X67

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Feb 08, 2018

    Hi Find99,

    You could paint, but the biggest part is making sure that the paper is not loose. If the paper is loose, you'll have to sand it and feather the edges or take all of it off. Take the doors and hardware off and paint the doors flat for better results. Then use at least 2 coats of primer before you paint. I'd also sand in between coats. Be sure you clean them before you start and after you sand between coats. I'd get some tack cloth to make sure all of the dust is gone. After your primer coats dry, add 2 coats of cabinet & trim paint. When your paint is dry and looks good, the last step would be to add a coat or two of poly sealer to protect your new paint. Wishing you the best.

  • William William on Feb 08, 2018

    Make sure they are clean and dry. Remove the doors and hardware. Mark the doors and cabinets with tape where they go. Lightly sand the doors and cabinets to remove any gloss and roughen the surface for paint with 120- to 220-grit sandpaper. Use a tack cloth or damp rag to remove dust after sanding. Prime with a stain blocking primer like Zinsser 123, KILZ,or BIN and have it tinted to the color of the top coat. This will prevent dark or stained surfaces from showing through the top coat. Acrylic, or water-base, paints are low-fume and clean up easily with water. Alkyd, or oil-base, paints require good ventilation because the paint contains solvents that can irritate your lungs and make you feel sick. Alkyd options require mineral spirits for cleanup, but they provide a hard, durable paint finish. Whichever you use, buy the best-quality paint you can afford for a lasting kitchen cabinet finish. Seal with at least three coats with a water based polyurethane. Use a small foam roller and foam brush for a smooth finish.

  • Darcie Darcie on Feb 11, 2018

    Chalk paint, no prep and easy.