There are easier and far more cost-effective ways to transform a kitchen space than a full remodel. Learning how to paint laminate cabinets is one such makeover that can produce great results while saving money over remodeling or the cost of refacing your cabinets. Let’s review the steps to repaint your laminate cabinets for top-notch results.
Preparing to Paint Laminate Cabinets
Before jumping into this project, it's important to understand the distinction between painting laminate versus other surfaces. Laminate's glossy nature helps it to shed grease and dirt, making it a good material for use in the kitchen. However, this glossiness is the same feature that discourages paint from sticking.
Start your project with the best paint products to overcome the laminate's tendency to repel substances. Choose a bonding primer or a primer designed for adhering to laminate surfaces. Also, purchase high-quality enamel or latex paint in a satin finish that dries quickly. The satin finish is glossy enough to repel dirt and easily maintain cleanliness while also being able to hide minor imperfections.
Prepare the Space
Preparation is crucial to success when painting laminate cabinets. Designate a space near the kitchen that can become a low-traffic area for several days. The paint will be curing for a while. Lay drop cloths on the kitchen floor and your designated extra space. Cover any furniture, countertops, or other objects with plastic or drop cloths—secure plastic sheeting with painter's tape.
Remove Doors and Hardware
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Remove the door handles from the cabinets and drawers and set them safely aside using your drill or power screwdriver. Next, remove each door, its hinges, and the drawers. Set the hinges aside and take the doors and drawers to your designated work space. Arrange them in order from where they belong in the kitchen or mark them with painter's tape and a marker indicating each's original location.
Clean the Cabinets
Clean the cabinet boxes, drawer fronts, and all door surfaces with a degreaser and rags to remove any trace of kitchen grease and grime. Take extra care during this step to ensure no grease remains on the laminate surfaces will yield the best finish results.
Make Repairs
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Use wood filler, epoxy, or another compound to repair dents or deep surface scratches in the laminate. There's no need to match the color of the cabinets, as the spot will disappear under the primer and paint.
Lightly Sand
Gently sand every surface that you intend to paint with 120-grit sandpaper. Take extra care to lightly etch the laminate surfaces around corners and edges where paint is likely to have difficulty sticking. Your goal in this step is to lightly scratch the surface without sanding all the way through the laminate. The scratching or etching will help the primer adhere to the surface.
Prime All Surfaces
Photo: Douglas Rissing / iStock / Getty Images
Use rags and a tack cloth to remove dust left over from sanding. Tape off any wall spots that need protection from an errant brush stroke. Then, prime each surface of the cabinet boxes, frames, doors, and drawer fronts and edges using a combination of paint brushes and rollers. Allow the primer to cure according to the manufacturer's label instructions.
Sand Again
Repeat the sanding steps after the primer dries to etch the surface again. This step will give the paint a slightly rough surface to cling to. Remember to sand only lightly to avoid sanding through the primer or the laminate. Wipe off the sanding dust with rags and a tack cloth once again.
Paint the Cabinets
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After thoroughly mixing the paint, apply it to every surface covered in primer using your brushes and rollers. Although the paint will dry in about an hour, allow the paint to cure for a minimum of two days in optimal and dry conditions. Keep in mind that the curing process could take up to a week in humid conditions.
Reinstall Doors and Hardware
When the paint is ready, you can reinstall your cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware. We recommend using a manual screwdriver for this step instead of a power drill to avoid stripping the inside of the screw holes.
DIY Laminate Cabinet Painting vs. Hiring a Pro
Painting laminate kitchen cabinets is rewarding but tedious work. The project requires time and patience but can leave you with a sense of accomplishment, a new-looking kitchen, and a few extra dollars in your pocket over the cost of hiring a pro.
However, while the cost of painting kitchen cabinets averages between roughly $400 and $1,400, it still may be worth having a local cabinet painting professional perform the task. The cost of the job is likely worth it if you don't have the time necessary to do all the steps or if painting anything isn't your favorite way to spend a weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Preparation is the most crucial and, really, the only secret to a lasting paint job on laminate cabinets. Paint will peel off laminate surfaces that aren't clean and grease-free. Paint will also peel off if there isn't proper etching on the cabinet surfaces. Taking time to deep clean and lightly but thoroughly sand before priming and painting will greatly increase your chances of success and help keep the paint from peeling.
A combination deglosser and cleaner can help minimize the amount of sanding necessary when painting laminate cabinets and other surfaces. Deglosser is excellent for use on heavily detailed surfaces where sandpaper can't reach evenly or at all. While some DIYers prefer to use only deglosser when painting cabinets, using sandpaper when possible saves money, and some deglossers may not work as well on laminate surfaces.
You can paint directly on laminate surfaces. However, the preparation steps generally determine how long the paint will last and the finish quality. Laminate has a very slick surface that discourages things like grease, oil, dirt, and other substances from sticking to it. While that's great for staying clean, the slick surface also makes it difficult for paint to stick without at least some prep work.
Deane has spent 30+ years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance, and home repair, and now contributes DIY and educational articles for publications like Forbes Home and U.S. News. Throughout his career, he has strived to help homeowners find the potential hidden within the walls of every home and empower them to take control of their household repair and remodeling endeavors.
Deane has spent 30+ years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance, and home repair, and now contributes DIY and educational articles for publications like Forbes Home and U.S. News. Throughout his career, he has strived to help homeowners find the potential hidden within the walls of every home and empower them to take control of their household repair and remodeling endeavors.
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