How can i update my formica cabinets?

Chris
by Chris
They are original cream color but have a dirty look. Can i just prime and paint? any other suggeestions?
  9 answers
  • MamaSita MamaSita on May 16, 2018

    Oh, be still my heart! I have the same problem. I have been looking for shaker doors and found that's the best way to go. Buy new doors and fill and paint the laminate cabinets. Change out the hardware and it will look great.

  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on May 16, 2018

    Clean with Murphy's Oil Soap, follow directions, dry completely. You can find this in the supermarket. Take a few doors down at a time, and lay them flat to paint. This avoids streaking and peeling. This would be a good time to clean inside the cabinets. Take the hardware and spray paint it some color that gives contrast to the doors. Paint with a high gloss, to clean it, a dish rag and some hot water, and your done!


  • Sheila Heaney Sheila Heaney on May 17, 2018

    chalk paint - clean cupboards then paint - first coat looks horrific - second coat amazing , my melamine cabinets look great hope this helps

  • Beth Ladnier Beth Ladnier on May 17, 2018

    I have some Formica tables and what I did with them is I wiped the dirt and grime off. Then lightly sanded, 2 coats of primer and then painted them with trim paint. I had the trim paint on hand so that is what I used. Made them nice, glossy and new looking!

  • William William on May 17, 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.

  • Xenia Hardenbrook Xenia Hardenbrook on May 18, 2018

    Yes, paint them! I just got done doing mine and I am soooo happy I did. Sand, prime, coat with polyurethane. I used spray cans of polyurethane so there was no bother with streaking. Use three coats so your time and energy doesn't get waisted with bumps, water and basic kitchen use. Enjoy!


  • 27524803 27524803 on May 18, 2018

    There are lots of formicas out there with a newer more up to date look... like granite.... consider covering the current counters with a new layer of laminate material.... if you cannot do it yourself... there are companies that will do it for you.... HomeAdvisor.com or Angieslist.com can help you find a verified one.

  • B. Enne B. Enne on May 21, 2018

    I would clean. prime and paint, and add trim.