Painting Over Laminate Corrugated Wood Furniture

Preparing the Surface

• The surface of the laminate furniture is probably quite slick to the touch. It will need to be sanded away in order for the primer and paint to adhere properly. Start with a medium grade of sandpaper. You can do this by hand with a sheet of sandpaper or a sanding block. If it is a large piece of furniture, you can use an electric hand sander, but use it on the lightest setting possible so it does not gouge through the laminate. Remove all the dust from the piece.

Applying Primer

• Primer will need to be applied to the furniture first, no matter what color you will be painting it. Primer gives the wood a good base coat and makes the paint adhere better to the surface. Use an oil-based primer for this job, as water-based primers will not provide good results. If the piece has shelves, prime the interior first and remove the shelves to paint them. Prime the exterior, paying close attention to any drips or bubbles in the primer. Allow the primer to dry for at least 4 hours.

Painting

• Begin painting the piece using the same application techniques as before -- do the inside first and then the outside. Use an oil-based paint in the color of your choice. Small corner areas should be painted with a brush, but the remainder of the piece can be painted with a roller for a nice, smooth finish. Apply at least one coat of paint and let it dry completely before adding a second coat. A second coat will typically hide any faux wood grain that might peek through.

Application Tips

• Working slowly and using oil-based paint are the main keys to success with painting laminated corrugated furniture. Proper sanding also plays an important role. By taking your time to do the job right the first time, you won't have to worry about peeling paint and touch-ups. Apply very thin coats to the piece. Too much primer or paint will result in drips, especially in the interior portions of the furniture.