How do I redo laminate cabinets?

Angie
by Angie

I have ugly, chipping, white laminate cabinets and drawers. We put new door handles on them but need to update. Should I paint them or can they be stained? What is the best paint/stain to use? Do I have to sand the cabinets down? Please HELP

  5 answers
  • Hope Williams Hope Williams on Aug 30, 2018

    Hi Angie, it would help to see a pic of them to be sure I guide you in the right way.


    However, here is a great link I think might be helpful. Let me know if this helps or if you are able to DIY at all. I can help more from there!


  • Diane Diane on Aug 30, 2018

    I'm huge on chalky paints. There's several colors they paint over anything. Just give them a cleaning first, sand if they feel lumpy. You don't have to take them down just tape over hinges, kind of a pain to just tape the hinges, but it'll save you a lot of clean up.

    I use froggy tape a little spendy but so worth it.

    Because there in a high traffic area I'd use polyurethane instead of the wax, they have a gloss, and matte.

    Have fun, they'll be beautiful. 🙂

    • See 1 previous
    • Diane Diane on Aug 31, 2018

      Absolutely, any color and it paints over any surface. I get mine at lowes. valspar and they have a color chart to tint exactly what you want. It's about $28.00 for a 32 ounce can, but it has incredible coverage. I did my entertainment center and a side table. I truly don't believe you'll be disappointed. Just follow a few steps, lightly sand clean, and paint. You won't need a primer, although if you only buy one can than you might want to just to not worry about having enough. Use a water based polyurethane it'll give a hard protective surface. 🙂

  • Carol Armstrong Carol Armstrong on Aug 30, 2018

    I painted mine. I don't think they could be stained.

  • Mar22287898 Mar22287898 on Aug 31, 2018

    The process goes like this,either lightly sand or use a deglosser to rough up the finish prime the cabinets with a good quality primer (zinger 123 works fine then use Sherwin Williams Pro Classis semi gloss paint and follow up with a good quality water based polyethylene not oil based as it will yellow over time.

  • Tess Slimbaugh Tess Slimbaugh on Aug 31, 2018

    used annie Sloan chalk paint. Very easy and came out great. No sanding ..just wipe clean without windex.