Jacob Fox
Many older homes have laminate kitchen cabinets that could use a refresh.
Heres how to paint laminate cabinets to bring them up to date.
Other more expensive options include changing out the doors or replacing the cabinets.
Credit:Jacob Fox
Your choice depends on how much you want to spend.
Refacing is another option.Adding a couple of glass doorscan dress up your existing laminate cabinets.
Check out quality companies in your area to do the work, or save money by doing it yourself.
Credit: Robert Brinson
you might spend a bit more on real wood cabinet doors and drawers or go with premium rigid Thermofoil.
Prices depend on materials, door style, and construction (frame or frameless).
When your doors are ready, well show you how to paint laminate cabinets.
Credit:Jacob Fox
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 removeall hardware, including hinges.
Removing the hardware is a good opportunity toswitch it outfor an easy update.
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Choose replacements with the same hole spacing as your existing hardware to keep the project simple.
Use a waterproof adhesive to reattach any peeling laminate before you sand and prime the cabinet doors.
Clean and Sand Cabinet Doors
Clean the cabinet doorsand sand them lightly.
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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.
Prime Cabinets and Doors
Apply agood-quality primer.
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Sand Laminate Surfaces Again
Once the primer has thoroughly dried, give everything a light sanding again.
Usefine-grit sandpaperto smooth the surface, but dont sand too much.
You dont want to take off all the primer you just applied.
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Clean off the dust with a tack cloth.
Paint Laminate Cabinets
Finally, its time to add your paint.Pick a paintdesigned for laminate surfaces.
We recommend a satin finish that hides minor imperfections.
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Update Laminate Cabinets with Trim
Dont love your plain flat-front doors?
Turn them intopaneled cabinetswith wood or composite moldings.
Find moldings in various widths and designs at your local hardware store.
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Have them miter-cut to your specifications, or do it yourself using amiter box and handsaw.
Once they are cut to size, paint the moldings, following the instructions above.
When dry, usewood glueto adhere them to the door fronts.
Sanding eliminates the gloss, which allows the paint and primer to stick better.
The paint needs the primer to help it bind to the cabinets.
The paint may quickly flake or peel if you dont prime laminate cabinets.
Veneer is made of pressed thin layers of wood on a plywood base.
Laminate is made of layers of paper and resins made of plastic fused under high pressure.
If you sand a veneer, youll find wood underneath.
If you sand a laminate, youll find plastic.
