How do you paint laminate cupboards?

  18 answers
  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 15, 2020

    Hello Pat,

    You need ESP It is a Primer for every surface, or you could use Contact or Wallpaper to decorate your cupboards. Best wishes.

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Nov 15, 2020

    Hi Pat, there are lots of great posts on painting laminate here:


    https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=paint%20laminate

  • Every cabinet project starts with a good cleaning. Here are some 'dos and don'ts' :

    https://www.bobvila.com/articles/painting-laminate-cabinets/

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Nov 15, 2020

    Hello this link might be informative.

    Hope this helps


    The Trick to Paint Laminate IKEA Furniture - Bless'er House


    https://www.blesserhouse.com/how-to-paint-laminate-ikea-furniture/


  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Nov 15, 2020

    Sand them really well and use a high adhesion primer. These are the most essential steps!

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Nov 15, 2020

    When I painted laminate, I scuffed with fine steel wool and then cleaned with denatured alcohol. Use a bonding primer, then paint. I've never done cupboards but I have painted other pieces of furniture that were laminate.

  • Unexpected Elegance Unexpected Elegance on Nov 15, 2020

    Here is a video that addresses this question:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no2O1xDnW7A

  • We've done it. You need a really good primer. I would ask at a paint store for one they recommend. And I would ask about a cleaner vs sanding. Sanding too much can pull at areas where the laminate may be peeling. We learned that the hard way...

  • Deb K Deb K on Nov 15, 2020

    Hi Pat, hope this helps you out, chalk paint has excellent coverage

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOdULB4YU4c

  • Rain Maher Rain Maher on Nov 15, 2020

    Yes you can. I'd scuff it lightly with a 180 grit sand paper then prime it using a 3/16 nap mini roller. Don't fall into the trap with paint+primer mixes. Those are for surfaces that have been previously primed and painted. You need to use a standalone primer to ensure proper adhesion otherwise your paint will scratch off easily. Talk to your local paint store. I personally like Benjamin Moore's Fresh Start oil based primer but your store may not have it. PPG also has some great options. They're a little more expensive but you get what you pay for. If you want smooth and glossy, sanding the primer smooth with 220 grit (careful not to sand through to the bare surface) then spraying it on is the best way to achieve that. If you wish to go with an oil based paint for better durability make sure you use an oil based primer.


    Professional paint contractor.

  • Simple Nature Decor Simple Nature Decor on Nov 16, 2020

    I would use a primer first and then paint it with a semi gloss paint.

  • Dee Dee on Nov 16, 2020

    You absolutely must prime your laminate surface with a primer designed to adhere to glossy surfaces. No ordinary primer will do Zinsser happens to be my primer of choice.

    I would not use chalk paint as it is hard to keep clean. If you wax the cabinets, the kitchen grease will be a nightmare to clean up and you will have to redo your cabinets within a year. I have 2 friends who did that.


    Oil based Zinsser grips like glue in my opinion, and without sanding. You can use the water based version by Zinsser in the blue can, but you really need to sand your surface beforehand, and you also must wait for the water based version to fully cure, which is a recommended 7 days. Zinsser’s oil based primer dries in two hours, so I was able to apply two coats of primer in one day.

    Roll your primer on your piece of furniture, then follow up with a brush in all the crevices. This primer dries really fast, but if you want a longer time to work with your primer and minimize brush strokes, use an additive called Penetrol which gives you a longer working time

    Many people shy away from oil based products because they require paint thinner or mineral spirits to clean up. However, if you use a cheap roller and cheap brush (my combo costs less than $2 dollars), you can toss them out when you’re done and not have to worry about cleaning your brush or roller with mineral spirits. But it’s good to have some on hand anyway just to get any paint off your hands

    Sand your primed piece with medium grade sanding pad to remove any drips, buildup or brush marks. Follow up with two coats of your paint color of choice. Use a better quality brush to minimize your brush strokes. You can go right over oil based primer with latex paint. If you have a paint sprayer that would eliminate brush marks.


  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Nov 17, 2020

    Here is a great video tutorial for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no2O1xDnW7A

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Nov 18, 2020

    Hi! Prep is everything, no matter what you are painting. I would clean them thoroughly, since residue builds up, and will prevent the paint from adhering. For a kitchen cabinet, I would use a product like Krud Kutter. After they are dry, lightly sand to scuff up the surface. Then dust. Now apply a good primer and let it dry. Use a good quality paint. Although you can use many kinds of paint, check the label to see if it is durable enough for your cabinets. Good luck!

  • Homeroad Homeroad on Nov 20, 2020

    Laminate cupboards can be painted with a chalk based paint like Fusion Mineral Paint. I painted my bathroom vanity which was laminate and it worked great!