Asked on Jul 22, 2015
Can you paint shrink wrapped kitchen cabinets?
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It is not in the budget at this time to get new kitchen cabinets. My question is. "Can someone please tell me if you can paint over the shrink-wrapped kitchen cabinets that are there already & if so can you please tell me how to paint kitchen cabinets and what steps I should take?
16 answers
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Not sure what you mean by "Shrink wrapped". Best thing to do is test paint a part that is not visible.
![Gary Mustain]()
Gary Mustain
on Jul 23, 2015
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If they have a plastic-y veneer, you can still spray paint them. There is a primer spraypaint just for plastics that I saw at Lowe's the other day. I have painted laminate counters like that and had great success. Show pictures when you're done!
![Lucy Nunn]()
Lucy Nunn
on Jul 23, 2015
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You could try rustoleum cabinet transformation. I have used it on not only my stained cabinets but on a dresser, melamine cabinets (this might be what yours are) and various other furniture. It works great on a lot of different surfaces. I can't say enough good things about this paint product! Here's my blog post on my kitchen cabinets: http://thriftyartsygirl.blogspot.com/2015/04/white-glazed-cabinet-transformations.html?m=1 and on my dresser: http://thriftyartsygirl.blogspot.com/2015/03/painted-thrift-store-dresser-from.html?m=1 it comes in lots of different colors or you can even make your own, you can also use the provided glaze or not for the look of your choice.
![Thrifty Artsy Girl]()
Thrifty Artsy Girl
on Jul 23, 2015
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When you say "shrink wrapped" do you perhaps mean Thermofoil ( which is a plastic-like covering applied to medium-density fiberboard (MDF) using an intense heat and pressure-bonding process)? Or are your cabinets covered in a laminate material (like Formica)? With all the different paints and primers on the market today, almost any surface can be painted. If your cabinets are still in good condition and you just want a different color, I would recommend going to a reputable paint store in your area and asking the paint professionals for their advice on which products to use. Painting a whole kitchen is A LOT of work so you want to make sure you prep properly and use the appropriate products that will stand up, long term, to the wear and tear kitchen cabinets take on a daily basis. If you are not sure what your cabinets are made of, I think it would be prudent to take a cabinet door with you to the paint store...again, just to ensure you get a product that is appropriate. If your cabinet doors are definitely Thermofoil and are cracked or coming loose, you might find this YouTube video interesting and helpful. There are also other videos about Thermofoil cabinets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxSWCB5V88g
![Shari]()
Shari
on Jul 23, 2015
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If your cabinets have some sort of plastic coating on them, the trick will be to use the right primer and paint to adhere. I agree with asking a professional about just the right product to use for the best result. Maybe take a small door off or empty a drawer and take it in with you so they can see exactly what you are dealing with. I would also recommend removing all your doors and hardware to make the process go faster. It's not pretty for a couple of days but saves a ton of time not having to try and paint around handles and hinges. This might be an opportunity to update your hardware if you want a more contemporary look. If that's not in your budget...there is always spray-paint. A great way to change the color of your hardware for very little money. Good luck!
![The Redesign Habit]()
The Redesign Habit
on Jul 23, 2015
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We are doing this right now although our cabinets are oak with a glossy finish. We went to our local Sherwin Williams store for advice on the products to use. We are using a bonding primer and Sherwin Williams Pro-classic paint. We are cleaning doors with TSP, lightly sanding, hosing off on deck with a hose, letting dry in sun, applying two coats of primer and two coats of paint and letting set 24 hours before second coating and turning over. We plan on letting them set about a week to "Cure". We have 22 cabinet doors to do this way. It's a very old house and the cabinets extend all the way to the ten foot ceiling. Yikes!!! We are taking it very slow. So far, so good. Good luck to you, It's a big job but we're saving scads of money.
![Rebecca Platt]()
Rebecca Platt
on Jul 23, 2015
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May I offer one other suggestion but first how long before you will be replacing and how much effort do you want to put into them. Chalk paint is an awesome paint. No matter how long you want them to stay there before replacing they will still look great. Google chalk paint and see the end product. There are many bloggers who have gone this route and are very happy. I did not know about chalk paint when I redid mine, although they look very good I would have preferred the end result of the chalk paint and it would not have been half the work.
![Dianne]()
Dianne
on Jul 23, 2015
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I thank you all for your wonderful input. I now see I have tons of options. I'm definitely going to do a test door. And then decide.
![Victoria Stevens]()
Victoria Stevens
on Jul 24, 2015
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I would be afraid that the paint would lift the «shrink wrap» and make bubbles like Mactac or wallpaper that hasn't been applied properly. I personally would avoid oil paint that could damage the plastic. I don't understand why someone would apply this «shrink wrap» to raised panel doors. Maybe the experts in that process could give you advice about what to do. Good luck.
![Rjr1992131]()
Rjr1992131
on Jul 25, 2015
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Try Chalk Paint, no primer or sanding. Covers well
![Tracy Sincup Gibaratz]()
Tracy Sincup Gibaratz
on Jul 25, 2015
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I like them the color they are and would do the walls instead.
![Janet]()
Janet
on Jul 28, 2015
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If you use a latex paint you will have to prime first.
![Carolyn Faye Blizzard Lanier]()
Carolyn Faye Blizzard Lanier
on Aug 01, 2015
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Chalk paint!
![Donna Makowski]()
Donna Makowski
on Aug 02, 2015
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Simple how to here and another via video: http://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Laminate-Cabinets
![Ashton Christie]()
Ashton Christie
on Aug 02, 2015
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Get the wallpaper off the walls first then paint the walls...go lighter...white or off white...if you've never painted before take a class.
![Donna]()
Donna
on Aug 16, 2015
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They are really pretty, just get new hardware, and paint the wall.
![Natalie]()
Natalie
on Sep 07, 2016
Gary Mustain
on Jul 23, 2015
Lucy Nunn
on Jul 23, 2015
Thrifty Artsy Girl
on Jul 23, 2015
Shari
on Jul 23, 2015
The Redesign Habit
on Jul 23, 2015
Rebecca Platt
on Jul 23, 2015
Dianne
on Jul 23, 2015
Victoria Stevens
on Jul 24, 2015
Rjr1992131
on Jul 25, 2015
Tracy Sincup Gibaratz
on Jul 25, 2015
Janet
on Jul 28, 2015
Carolyn Faye Blizzard Lanier
on Aug 01, 2015
Donna Makowski
on Aug 02, 2015
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