How to paint laminate cabinets

Intro

Does paint properly adhere to laminate? Should we call a professional to take over? If you’re asking yourself these questions, you should know you aren’t the first to feel the Fear of Mucking Up. But painting laminate cabinets is far easier than it seems. Read on, and we’ll show you to master it.

Step One: Preparation

• Move furniture and use a drop sheet to cover the floor.Remove any door knobs or handles.

Step Two: Washing

• Clean the surfaces from top to bottom, including the top of the door and the edges with sugar soap.Let the surface dry before sanding.

Step Three: Sanding

• Protect yourself with safety glasses and a dust mask.Sand all surfaces that you’re going to paint, starting at the top using a medium grit sandpaper.Remove any dust residue when you’ve finished.Then mask any surfaces to don’t want to paint.

Step Four: Priming

• Only one coat of British Paints PREP 4in1 Oil Based is required.Start priming in the top corner, cutting in the edges with your brush. Do both the sides & edges, then finish off with the roller. Roll evenly.Leave the cabinet door ajar so the paint doesn’t stick together.
• Let dry, then do a light sand with a fine sandpaper and remove dust for better adhesion. Place an object under the door so it stays ajar.

Step Five: Topcoat

• Pour the paint into a paint pot and roller tray.Follow the same process as priming, starting in the top corner.Cut in the edges with your brush first. Once complete, finish painting with a roller.
• Do the side of the cabinet first rolling in an M pattern. Then the front door.Don’t forget the edges. A semi-gloss or gloss enamel is harder wearing and more washable than wall paint.
  Allow at least two hours dry time before applying a second topcoat.
• Then re-attach any knobs or handles.