A blessed Easter it was, we spent some time with my family, ate too much, and came home happy and content. I trust you had some good times with your family too this weekend.
Several of you asked me about painting these white laminate cabinets, so I thought I’d do a little post on that. These are indeed white laminate cabinets, as are my kitchen cabinets. I think the bases are probably wood, but the doors are definitely laminate (that plasticy material). And the good news is, you can paint it! I painted this 3 years ago and it still looks great.
I found this bit of information by Googling Laminate primers:
The Zinsser company makes two primers that it recommends for use over laminate: Bulls Eye 1-2-3, an acrylic formula in a water base, and B-I-N, a pigmented shellac formula with an alcohol base. Tim O’Reilly, manager for primers and sealers at Zinsser, recommends the shellac formula even though it will leave your kitchen smelling like alcohol for an hour or so and even though it’s more of a hassle to remove from your tools. (You’ll need to use ammonia or denatured alcohol.) The reason for his recommendation: Once the alcohol evaporates from the primer, typically in 45 minutes, the shellac finish is fully cured. Not only can you can proceed immediately to put on the finish paint, but you greatly speed up the time when your kitchen can return to being fully functional.
I did not use a laminate primer on my cabinets, but I did prime them with water-based Kilz, so if you want the extra protection OR you are going to paint your laminate kitchen cabinets, I would definitely recommend you get a primer made specifically for slick surfaces like laminate. This will save you a lot of headaches. Mine have held up well, since this bathroom is not used all the time, it’s a guest bath. I primed first, then did 2 coats of Satin Ralph Lauren paint called Turret Stair (you can get Ralph Lauren paints at Home Depot). It’s a deep rich, chocolately brown. I used a small foam roller and a 1 or 2” brush to get into the crevices. It goes on pretty smoothly with the roller. You can see I only painted to the edge of the lip inside the cabinets and the same with the drawers and kept the insides white. Save yourself the headache of painting the insides of your cabinets!
I did take my doors off to paint them, but next time I would just leave them in place. I had a little bit of a hard time getting the doors back on properly, so I think you could just as easily leave them on. You’ll just need to stand on your head to get underneath the bottom of the door. 🙂 Let every coat dry one day in between and you should have a great looking coat of paint on your laminate cabinets.
I’ve painted several cabinets, but this was the first time I’ve had laminate, so be sure to prime them well first and it should work out great. Proper prep is the key! I do have laminate doors in my kitchen too and may end up painting them one day if they end up getting beat up. Laminate is bad about getting nicks around the edges of the doors, so I think painting them would seal them up and make them last longer. I know in our bathrooms, we had some water damage on the edges of some of them, so laminate doesn’t even last forever.
I’ve also heard about a product called Cabinet Coat, but have never used it. It’s supposed to be a tough as nails finish that leaves a very hard and protective surface for cabinets. I think you can get it at Ace Hardware and other places. So, this would be a very good option for painting cabinets too. One thing I read online was that this gives a really smooth surface over a sanded primer, and to lightly sand between coats for the best results. That’s how you get a really professional looking painted surface, not that any of my cabinets I’ve ever painted are professional looking, but they were good enough for me.
I’ve had to touch these cabinets up just a couple of times in the last 3 years. Sometimes the pressure points of the doors will leave a little spot and I just take a paint brush and touch it up. Not a problem! I know there are also tougher paints especially for cabinets that you can get, so that is another option when you are buying your paint.
If you want to paint your laminate cabinets, go for it! I’m joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Met Monday party. I think this makeover fits the bill.
If you haven’t seen it yet, don’t miss the giveaway on my Review Blog that is currently happening! it will be going on until early a.m. Wednesday and you don’t want to miss it.
I love the deep color you chose on the cabinets, Rhoda. This project is on my list for the summer.
Thanks for the info! No laminate cabinets in my house, but plenty of other decor and finish dilemmas…
Glad to hear you had a happy Easter. Friends at church told me they linked to your blog through mine and had a blast reading through post after post…..
Hope that brightens your post-holiday Monday!
WendyBee
Beautiful! We have white laminate cabinets in our (1970s-ick!) Colonial. I actually like the white, but hate the knobs. I had no idea you could paint laminate. Thanks for the tips! 🙂
good tips
Thanks so much for this post! I have a guest bath down stairs that makes me crazy. The cabinet in there is fine but the color of the wood(if that is what you want to call it) does not match well to some of my paint choices. I am going this week to get these products and paint it. Thank you so much for the info and I LOVE your blog!
~AmyLynn
http://www.brambleberrylane.blogspot.com
I can’t wait to give this a try! Thank you for the great tips.
Great project! I thought about doing this last year, but was not sure how the paint would stand up to wear. Thanks for the tips.
Crystal
Great post…always so much to learn from you dear Rhoda!
By the way I mentioned you in my post this morning because I had to confess that your office space was my inspiration for my new office I’m putting together (so very slowly, I might add). I hope you don’t mind.
How funny that just last night I was looking at your site and searching all the things you’ve painted black (as I’m painting my own piece black right now). So very timely and helpful! LOL Thanks, Rhoda!
I had these in my bathroom before the renovation – and painting them would have been a great option, had I not ripped them out. Great work Rhoda, beautiful finish. Isn’t it funny how they look builder grade in white, but custom in black? Oh to our love of paint! 🙂
Just wanted to drop in and say Hi!
Such great information about how to do this and what products to use. Very helpful. I love the look of your cabinets. Very pretty in the chocolate brown. Hugs, Marty
I had to comment on the cabinet paint. At our old house I used paint specifically for cabinets in my kitchen. It held up very well. And that was with three toddlers banging into the cabinets all the time!
Two years ago, I painted the kitchen cabinets in our current home. This time I used primer, two coats of black paint, and a water based poly for a top coat. It has not held up as well. Every few months I need to touch up.
I am gearing up to paint our cabinets in the bathroom. (There is a lot of cabinets for a bathroom and none of the wood matches!!!) This time I will be using paint specifically for cabinets again. I think if you have young children and the area will be used a lot, that is the way to go.
Also, I was thinking of painting them black, but now after seeing your chocolate brown, I might head in that direction!!!
Your cabinets looks gorgeous, I love the color..and I can’t believe they look that great after a few years of wear and tear so to speak!! Great job!! Thanks for visiting me, your blog is adorable and there is so much fun stuff going on here! 🙂
I often read your blog and enjoy it very much…I have a tip for you to try…I was taught a very good antiquing technique years ago and it gives a “hard as nails” finish…just use Johnson’s Paste wax as your medium and add color with oil paints (the artist kind)…my favorite is to add burnt umber to my paste wax (this gives a lovely reddish antique wash)…allow this mixture to dry and just shine with a soft cloth…I used this on a bathroom vanity and it held up perfectly…
Rhoda – you are an inspirer to live
a best life in the home you are planted in! your blog is the best – & i have a suspicion you are a SLaH consultant as I am.
blessing to you for your generosity of ideas – patti g
I always wondered if it was possible to paint those. Love what you did with yours. Thanks for explaining it!
I’ve been thinking about painting my cabinets. Thanks for all the inspirations and information! Your cabinets look fab!
That is a beautiful color!
Thanks for the prepping tips!! I have lots of cabinets wating to be painted!
Hugs,
Susan