--- title: "Painting Laminate Cabinets: How to Get Pro Results" description: "Painting laminate cabinets takes time, but it can transform your kitchen. Get started with these tips for surface prep, paint selection, and application." date: "2016-01-27" modified: "2025-07-22" authors: - name: "Manasa Reddigari" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/manasa-reddigari/" - name: "Tony Carrick" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tony-carrick/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/painting-laminate-cabinets/" categories: - "Cabinets" - "DIY" - "Interior" - "Kitchen & Dining" - "Painting & Finishing" - "Paints & Finishes" tags: - "How To" --- # Painting Laminate Cabinets: How to Get Pro Results ![Person painting a door with with a paint roller.]() *Photo: James Pauls via Getty Images* Is your kitchen looking a little worse for wear? Instead of committing to the expense of replacing rundown kitchen cabinets, consider the more cost-effective solution of repainting them. Repainting laminate cabinets is an affordable way to turn eyesore storage into eye-catching, modern cabinetry. While you may already know how to paint furniture, doors, and cabinetry that are made of wood, painting laminate is another beast altogether. Laminate is not nearly as porous as its wood equivalents. To get professional-looking results, first and foremost, you'll have to use a specific paint for laminate cabinets. The methods for preparing and painting laminate cabinets are also different than they are for wood. Follow these best practices to update your cabinetry with a fresh face that will last for years. ### Tools & Materials Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchases made through these links. - [Drop cloth ]() - [Screwdriver ]() - [Sanding block or deglosser ]() - [Paint brush ]() - [Roller cover]() - [Paint roller ]() - [Tack cloth or shop vac ]() - [Primer]() - [Paint]() ### Project Overview ***Working Time**: 15 to 30 hours* ***Total Time**: One week* ***Skill Level**: Intermediate* ***Estimated Cost**: $200 to $400* ## How to Paint Laminate Cabinets ![Man holding paint roller looking at finished kitchen paint job]() *Photo: iStock* When painting over laminate cabinets, the first thing you have to do is choose a quality paint. The right type of paint will leave a chip-resistant finish that’s easy to clean with a damp cloth or sponge. Paint with a satin finish will yield the best results because it will help hide the cabinets' imperfections. Painting laminate surfaces also requires a few extra steps and careful preparation. Make sure to read all of the steps below before starting this project. 1. Lay a drop cloth over floors and other surfaces you want to protect. 2. Prepare the cabinets for paint by removing all door hardware and hinges. 3. Inspect the cabinet doors for damage and make any necessary repairs. Lightly sand the cabinets using 120-grit [sandpaper](). Sanding will roughen the surface, helping the paint adhere to the smooth surface of the laminate. Don’t sand too much or you could pierce the laminate surface, damaging the cabinets. (If you want to avoid sanding, you can also use a deglosser, which removes grease while acting like a liquid sander.) 4. After you’re done sanding, remove dust using a shop vac or tack cloth. 5. Prime the cabinets using [high-quality paint brushes]() and primer, making sure to stir the primer thoroughly before applying it. If you want to eliminate brush stroke marks, use a roller instead of a paintbrush on the flat surfaces of the cabinet. 6. Using 100- to 120-grit sandpaper, lightly sand the primer so it better adheres to the paint. Remove any dust with a tack cloth or shop vac. 7. Stir the paint thoroughly, then apply a small amount to an inconspicuous spot on a cabinet to make sure it adheres to the surface properly. If it’s not bubbling, begin applying the first coat using a high-quality paint brush or [paint roller](). 8. Sand the first coat lightly after it dries, then apply a second coat. Allow the paint to cure for a full week before reinstalling the hardware and subjecting the cabinets to normal use to avoid scratching the new finish. ## Dos and Don’ts of Painting Laminate Cabinets There are many missteps that can ruin a laminate cabinet painting project, including failing to remove the hardware before painting or using the wrong kind of primer. Review these tips to ensure you end up with a professional-looking paint job. ### Don’t paint over damaged laminate. If laminate is cracked, warped, or peeling, paint may not bond to the cabinets properly. Before painting, ensure that the laminate is in good condition by repairing minor laminate damage or [refacing the cabinets](). ### Do remove cabinet hardware. ![Male hands using drill to remove cabinet hardware.]() *Photo: iStock* To get the smoothest application of paint, you first need to remove all obstructions in your way. Remove knobs, pulls, and other visible cabinet hardware before painting laminate cabinets. If the cabinet hinges are visible and removable, take the doors off the cabinets and paint them over a workbench or sawhorse. If you choose to paint the doors in place, cover metal hinges with [painter’s tape](). ### Don’t leave dirt and grit behind. Before you paint laminate cabinets, use [trisodium phosphate]() to wipe away grime. Rinse the cabinets with water and allow them to dry completely. Don’t skip this step because you think the cabinets look clean-ish; the paint won’t adhere to the laminate if the surface is dirty. ### Do sand the cabinets. To create a strong bond between the paint and your cabinet, roughen up the slick laminate with the help of a gritty companion: sandpaper. Thoroughly scuff the surfaces of the cabinet with 120-grit sandpaper—enough to get a dusting, but not so much that you tear through the paper-thin laminate surface. Clean up any dusty remains with a handheld vacuum and a damp cloth. If you plan on sanding several cabinets, consider upgrading from sandpaper to a motorized [orbital sander](). Your upper body will thank you. ### Don’t use just any primer or paint. Laminate doesn’t play well with all primers and paints, only those specially formulated to adhere to its picky surface. If you opt for a primer, choose a bonding primer that's tenacious enough to stick to laminate, like [Zinsser Interior Primer](), and then top it with an oil- or latex-based paint after the primer has cured. If you select a paint that can be applied directly over laminate, like [Behr Premium semi-gloss cabinet paint](), you can skip the primer—just know that your choice of colors will be limited. ### Do test your paint first. Paint in hand, you’re almost ready to get to work. Before you begin, first test the paint’s bonding capabilities. This step could save you from a case of peeling paint down the road, and the need to redo hours of work. Apply a swath of paint to a small, inconspicuous area of the cabinet (like the back of a door you seldom open), let it cure, then inspect the bonding. If you see bubbles in the coat, the paint is not adhering well. Consult a paint pro at a paint or home improvement store to identify a more suitable product for the job. ### Don’t leave brush strokes behind. ![Woman using roller to paint laminate cabinets teal blue.]() *Photo: iStock* Paint brushes tend to leave brush strokes in their wake. For a streak-free finish on flat laminate cabinet surfaces, opt instead for a roller, sprayer, or a paint pad. ### Do minimize your exposure to fumes. Primers and paints release dangerous fumes, which is why it’s important to increase ventilation in the room as you’re working. Keep children and pets out of the space too. We also recommend pulling on a pair of [chemical-resistant work gloves]() before you go off to paint the town—or perhaps in this case, your cabinets—red! ## Final Thoughts By following the above methods, you can give your old bathroom or [kitchen cabinets]() a fresh look, saving hundreds or even thousands over the cost of replacing them. Do keep in mind that while painting [kitchen cabinets]() isn’t a difficult task, it is important to use the right primer and paint along with the proper techniques to achieve good and long-lasting results. Patience is key when painting laminate cabinets, as this is a time-consuming project that typically requires multiple days to complete. ## FAQs ## Author Manasa Reddigari has tackled topics ranging from computer software to home remodeling in her decade-plus career as a writer and editor. During her stint as a scribe, she's been featured by leading outlets in the real estate, home improvement, and lifestyle niches such as [Trulia](), [Stikwood](), and [Brit + Co](). Her design philosophy is, if you can dream it, you can DIY it! ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()