How to Paint Laminate Cabinets for an Easy Kitchen Refresh

How to Paint Laminate Cabinets

Before you paint laminate cabinets, you need to complete some prep work, including sanding, repairs, and cleaning. When your doors are ready, we’ll show you how to paint laminate cabinets.

1. Remove Cabinets and Hardware

   Preparation is the key to painting laminate cabinets and getting the best results. Remove the laminate cabinet doors from their frames and remove all hardware, including hinges.
   

   Removing the hardware is a good opportunity to switch it out for an easy update. Choose replacements with the same hole spacing as your existing hardware to keep the project simple.

2. Repair Damage

   Check the laminate for damage and repair any cracked or warped laminate; you don’t want to paint over the damage. Use a waterproof adhesive to reattach any peeling laminate before you sand and prime the cabinet doors.

3. Clean and Sand Cabinet Doors

   Clean the cabinet doors and sand them lightly. To clean, wipe the cabinets with an all-purpose cleaning wipe or diluted vinegar. Dry them thoroughly with a clean cloth, and use a tack cloth to ensure the doors are dust-free.

   How to Use a Palm Sander

4. Prime Cabinets and Doors

   Apply a good-quality primer. Use a high-quality paintbrush to minimize stroke marks as you cut in on cabinet edges or hard-to-reach spaces. Use a roller to get a smooth, brushstroke-free finish for the doors and other large surfaces.

5. Sand Laminate Surfaces Again

   Once the primer has thoroughly dried, give everything a light sanding again. Use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface, but don’t sand too much. You don’t want to take off all the primer you just applied. Clean off the dust with a tack cloth.

6. Paint Laminate Cabinets

   Finally, it’s time to add your paint. Pick a paint designed for laminate surfaces. It dries to the touch in one hour, features a tough, chip-resistant finish, and cleans easily with mild liquid soap. We recommend a satin finish that hides minor imperfections.

   The 12 Best Paints for Cabinets, Reviewed by BHG

Update Laminate Cabinets with Trim

Don’t love your plain flat-front doors? Turn them into paneled cabinets with wood or composite moldings. Find moldings in various widths and designs at your local hardware store. Have them miter-cut to your specifications, or do it yourself using a miter box and handsaw. Once they are cut to size, paint the moldings, following the instructions above. When dry, use wood glue to adhere them to the door fronts.

With the proper prep and some hard work, you can transform the look of laminate cabinets. Keep in mind that any DIY painted finish will be more susceptible to damage than factory-finish cabinetry. Eventually, you may need to invest in changing out your cabinets altogether. Follow the steps for how to paint laminate cabinets for best results. It will buy you some time and provide an updated look.