How to Paint a Laminate Cabinet Surface

A laminate cabinet surface won't accept new paint easily. Laminates are very slick and nonporous, leading to blotchy coverage with a brush or roller. Spray paints provide even coverage, but this often isn't practical for most cabinet surfaces, as the paint mist can waft throughout your house. Fortunately, there are special high-adhesion primers available to help you paint over laminate surfaces. With the right attention to detail, almost anybody can paint a laminate cabinet surface using regular oil-based paint, brushes and rollers.

Painter's tape
TSP cleaning solution
Medium-nap roller
Synthetic-bristle paintbrush
Foam brush
Foam roller
Oil-based paint

Instructions

- 1
  Remove hardware and hinges from the cabinet surface. For nearby trim, or irremovable built-in hardware, apply painter's tape.
- 2
  Clean the cabinet surface with a TSP cleaning solution. TSP, or trisodium phosphate, cuts through grease and oils commonly found on used cabinet surfaces. If the laminate cabinetry is brand new, you don't need to bother cleaning with TSP.
- 3
  Apply bonding primer to the surface using a medium-nap roller and synthetic-bristle paintbrush. Bonding primer is formulated to stick to laminate, vinyl and ceramic surfaces better than general purpose primers. Wait for the primer to dry before continuing.
- 4
  Paint the primed laminate surface with oil-based paint. Use foam brushes for tight corners, and a foam roller for larger cabinet surfaces. High-gloss finishes are durable and very easy to keep clean, so this sheen is commonly used for cabinetry. However, you can use an oil-based paint in any sheen based on your personal preferences.
- 5
  Paint a second coat after the first coat dries.
- 6
  Remove the painter's tape and reattach hardware after 24 hours.

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