How to Laminate Kitchen Cabinets

Wood kitchen cabinets usually have two components to the surface--solid wood doors and drawer fronts, and frames made of particleboard, topped with laminate or wood veneer. Resurfacing that veneer when it gets worn is relatively easy with a modern refacing kit that includes paper-backed laminate that can be cut and pressed into place. This is good time to replace the knobs and other accessories to give the cabinets a new look.

Screwdriver
Vibrating sander
Medium sandpaper
Tape measure
Self-adhesive laminate veneer
Utility knife
Fist-sized wood block
Dish towel
Rag
Pencil

Instructions

- 1
  Remove all the shelves, drawers and hardware from the cabinet, using your screwdriver.
- 2
  Sand and de-gloss the parts of the cabinet that will have new laminate on it (generally, the front-facing parts of the frame), using a vibrating sander and medium sandpaper. Wipe up the dust with a rag.
- 3
  Measure each section that you're going to laminate with a tape measure, and transfer the dimensions to pieces of veneer, using a pencil. Add about an inch all around to each section. Cut out the pieces with a utility knife, running the knife along the back, through the paper that's covering the adhesive, and then snapping the piece. Leave the paper on it.
- 4
  Hold the first piece of laminate veneer in front of the area of the where it's going, with an inch overhanging all around. Peel back a little of the paper at the end and press the laminate to the surface. Peel back the rest of the paper, pressing the rest of the laminate to the surface.
- 5
  Trim off the overhanging laminate with your razor knife at the edges of the frame.
- 6
  Wrap a piece of wood in a dish towel, and rub it firmly across over the surface of the laminate to secure it.
- 7
  Repeat for each piece. Reassemble the cabinet.

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