Laminate cabinets are outdated and there is a good reason that many people look to replace them as soon as possible to give their home a refreshed, updated look. The problem with this is that completely replacing laminate cabinets can be costly.
What you may not have realized is that it is very much possible to paint over laminate cabinets. But there is much to know about the process and assuming that you can just slap a coat of paint over the top of the existing laminate can lead to some issues.
What Not to Do When Painting Laminate Cabinets
The first and most important thing to be aware of is that you never want to paint over damaged laminate. If the laminate itself is either peeling, warped, or cracked, that kind of damage can cause interference with the way that the paint bonds with the cabinet.
If you do notice damage to the laminate cabinets, take the time to reface the cabinets before applying any paint. If this isn’t possible, you might be stuck having to replace the entire thing. It really just depends on the condition of the cabinets.
Do not leave the cabinet in a dirty or gritty condition. While it might be quicker to just glance for any obvious dirt, any leftover grime will make it difficult for the color to adhere to the laminate. Make certain to thoroughly wipe away the grime and grease before applying paint to the surface.
What to Do When Painting Laminate Cabinets
One of the first steps that you should be taking in the painting process is to remove all of the hardware. Any knobs, handles, or other pieces of hardware should be taken off for a couple of reasons. The first is to make the painting process easier. It’s just less stuff that you can inadvertently paint.
The second reason is that you keep the hardware clean. Maybe you want to keep the hardware, transforming the laminate itself instead. If you leave the hardware on, you run the risk of accidentally painting over it. This means you have to clean it and that you could potentially be unable to clean the hardware. Do yourself a favor and take them off.
The next thing you absolutely want to do is to sand the cabinets. Laminate is a smooth surface, meaning it is that much more difficult for the paint to adhere to. By sanding the surface of the cabinets, you can create a much stronger bond for the paint.
Something in the 120-grit range should be enough to scuff up the surface, but not to actually tear through the thin laminate. When you’re done dusting, make certain that you clean up the area so that the dust doesn’t prevent the paint from adhering to the newly sanded surface.
These are just a few of the steps to take (or not take) when painting laminate cabinets to give them a refreshed, updated feeling. If you’re not sure where to start, call your local cabinet painters today to learn more.
