How do I redo my kitchen cabinets?

Roberta Welch
by Roberta Welch

I have white laminate kitchen cabinets that the white covering is peeling off. Is there a way to redo them? It's peeling on about half of the cabinets and drawers. I'm not sure if I should just peel one and see what happens or just leave them be. Trying to avoid the expense of new cabinets.


  7 answers
  • I would get inclined to try and remove the laminated for one on a area that is not a focal point to see what is under it.

  • K. Rupp K. Rupp on May 20, 2020

    Hi Roberta, how much work are you willing to put in for laminate cabinets? Just wondering because this will take a lot of time and you could probably get unfinished stock cabinets from Home Depot or Lowes, and paint them pretty cheaply. I would fix peeling veneer if that was solid wood underneath. Something close to an heirloom or a piece of furniture. I would not fix peeling laminate over plywood. The structure of the wood is probably just cheap grade particle board and after peeling all the laminate off, you will be left with chunks missing. when I take off veneer over solid wood, sometimes chunks are missing that I have to fix with Bondo or wood filler.....and that is solid wood. Not sure if I would put that kind of time in to builder grade cabinets. Just wanted to put that out there.....if the peeling laminate is able to come off in sheets, maybe you could just remove it and paint, but chances are it will come off in tiny sheets of sections, and some areas, it will come off in bits. It is going to be a lot. I wouldn't do it.


    You can check out my post on how to remove veneer easier....Like I said this is on a piece of furniture. You can use the same process for your laminate cabinets if you feel like you want to try it or if the laminate seems super easy to remove. But know if it doesn't work, you are left with a mess of kitchen cabinets.


    https://karupp-did.net/fetor-to-fetching/


    Another idea would be to fix those spots that they are peeling with glue and fix peeled areas with Bondo and then sand it all down on top of the laminate, and then paint on top of the laminate. I would be inclined to think that would work better. Still a ton of work though for laminate. So these are all things to consider:). Good luck!

    • See 1 previous
    • K. Rupp K. Rupp on May 20, 2020

      Sure anytime! Hate to be a downer on this one, because normally I say 'go for it' on most diy projects;). Good luck with your kitchen and whatever you do decide:)

  • I would peel one and see what's under it. If that material can be sanded and painted, that a real plus!


  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on May 20, 2020

    You may need new doors - it’s much cheaper to just replace the doors than all the cupboards. There are companies that will do this - or if your lucky and your cupboards are stock sizes you can get new ones and do it yourself. :)

  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on May 20, 2020

    I believe that laminated cabinets probably have a cheap press board underneath and would not be suitable to use. Besides removing the laminate is not worth your time. It was installed with contact cement and doesn't come off easily. Sometimes loose laminate can be re-stuck by adding heat and pressing it until the glue reactivates,

    • Roberta Welch Roberta Welch on May 20, 2020

      I have tried to reglue it and it didnt work. I will have to have my husband try the heat gun though. Good idea. Thanks

  • Libbie B Libbie B on May 20, 2020

    We bought new doors for a house we are flipping. It was fairly reasonable through Home Depot.