Although laminate is not an ideal surface to paint, yes, you can still paint your laminate kitchen cabinets. Painting your laminate kitchen cabinets is an affordable way to improve the look of your kitchen’s décor quickly. You don’t need to spend a lot, and it does not take much time. So, with some elbow grease, you can renovate your kitchen cabinets to give them a more vibrant and customized aesthetic look.
Why choose to paint your laminate cabinets?
Today, custom cabinetry is expensive, and many people go for the installation of laminate cabinets. Keep in mind that besides laminate, wood, Formica, and Melamine applied to engineered cores also provide a great variety in design. However, you may face specific challenges when changing them, such as painting the laminate cabinets.
Luckily, many paint companies have made substantial efforts to allow painting contractors or homeowners to overcome the challenge. They have done this using cutting-edge technology to create formulas that would enable people to paint their laminate cabinet surfaces easily and from an impractical to do-it-yourself-type project.
So, the short answer is, “Yes, you can paint your laminate cabinets,” but you need to take care of a few things. Today’s article will tell you how to paint your laminate kitchen cabinets. Without further ado, let’s jump into the main topic. Read on!
How to paint your laminate kitchen cabinets
- First, you must understand that you can’t paint your laminate cabinets without sanding or abrading the surface. It is essential to sand the surfaces so that they “scuff” the finish and prepare the surface for the primer. This way, the primer will adhere well to the cabinet painting surface.
- The first step is removing the hardware, doors, and drawers. If any areas require repair, you need to get those areas repaired so as not to slow down the project. When you finally scrub away the grease, cleaner build-up, or grime from the cabinets’ surface with a high-quality degreaser or cleaner, the next step is to remove the gloss with 320-grit sandpaper. The whole purpose is to make the surface not so glossy
. Make sure you carefully carry out the sanding process through the laminate. Remove all the dust once you are done with the sanding. Use a vacuum to brush the surface, and then take a damp cloth to wipe it down.
How to choose the right paint for laminate cabinets?
1.) Once you are done with surface preparation, it is time to choose the paint. It would be best if you decided on high-quality paint. At the same time, you must select a suitable primer because it affects the painting more than the topcoat.
Today, you will find a wide range of brands on the market, and almost all of them have high-adhesion products. So, it is up to you to choose the brand; however, make sure to select the one you are comfortable with. For DIY cabinet painting projects, we recommend using an oil-based primer. Don’t forget some PPE and ventilation!
2.) There are a few things to consider regarding the topcoat. First, the coat must be compatible with the primer you have applied. For this, you need to read the label on the primer product carefully to find the correct paint. For instance, you can determine if oil-based or acrylic-based color will work best with the primer.
3.) Choosing an enamel topcoat using paint that matches even the rough use of kitchen cabinets is usually recommended. While these products are not certified for Kitchen Cabinets like our professional products, they are readily available. Oil-based paint is an ideal choice, but it can go on slowly and messy. You can use something water-based but made for woodwork as the top coat and keep the leftovers for touch-ups later on.
I recommend trying this on a bathroom cabinet before tackling a Laminate Kitchen Cabinet Painting project yourself. It would help if you avoided glossy finishes because it would show any imperfections on the laminate kitchen cabinets. For many people, experts recommend a satin finish, and this might be the best bet for you.
DIY Laminate Cabinet Painting Overview
With appropriate preparation, sanding, selection of the paint brand, and carefully carrying out all steps, you can accurately transform your kitchen laminate cabinets into something attractive and aesthetically appealing. This likewise affects the décor of your kitchen. So, following the tips mentioned above, you can do the job accurately and have a beautiful customized kitchen décor. Good Luck!
If you are not ready to take on a project like this, you can always call The Picky Painters at 833-PICKY4U (742-5948) or check out our website and set up a Cabinet Painting Appointment. Don’t forget we have the best Interior Painters and Exterior House Painters.
FAQs
Q1: Can you really paint laminate kitchen cabinets, or will the paint just peel off?
A: Yes—laminate cabinets can absolutely be painted, but the finish is only as good as the prep work. Because laminate is naturally smooth and non-porous, paint struggles to “bite” into it unless you degrease, scuff-sand, and apply a true bonding primer first. If you skip any of those steps (especially cleaning and bonding primer), peeling usually starts on corners, door edges, and around handles where cabinets get touched the most.
Q2: Do laminate cabinets need sanding before painting?
A: In most cases, yes—light sanding is recommended because it removes the factory sheen and creates a slightly rough surface that primer can grip. This isn’t heavy sanding like stripping wood; it’s a quick scuff to dull the gloss and improve adhesion. After sanding, removing dust completely matters just as much as the sanding itself, because leftover powder can weaken primer and lead to early chipping.
Q3: What primer works best on laminate cabinets?
A: A high-adhesion bonding primer made for slick/glossy surfaces is the safest choice for laminate. Look for product labeling that specifically calls out bonding to glossy or hard-to-coat surfaces, since standard primers may not anchor well to laminate. Using the right primer is often the difference between cabinets that hold up for years and cabinets that start peeling within months.
Q4: What sheen should you use for painted laminate cabinets?
A: Satin is a popular choice for laminate cabinets because it balances cleanability with a softer look that hides minor imperfections. Higher-gloss finishes can look sharp, but they also tend to highlight roller texture, seams, dents, and patchiness—issues that laminate surfaces can show more easily. If durability is the priority, pairing the right sheen with a cabinet-grade topcoat (not wall paint) is typically the best approach.
Q5: How long will painted laminate cabinets last?
A: With proper cleaning, scuff-sanding, a bonding primer, and a durable cabinet topcoat, painted laminate cabinets can last for years in a typical household. That said, laminate is less forgiving than raw wood because the surface relies heavily on coating adhesion—so harsh cleaners, heavy impacts, and early heavy use before full cure can shorten the life of the finish. If you want a finish that holds up to decades of high-traffic wear, replacement or professional-grade refinishing options may be more reliable than paint alone.
