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.
Thanks so much for the timely post. I have a laminate desk that I have been wondering if I could paint. I’m going to give it a try.
Rhoda, the wax/antique technique can be used with any color of paint (for example you could use a white or light grey if you wanted to antique your black painted cabinets) the addition of oil color gives you limitless possibilities (even mixing colors just like you would in painting a picture) Try this technique on something small…just use common sense with your antiquing techniques i.e. light colors highlight and dark colors cause things to recede)I know you have the expertise by seeing your posts… I hope this makes sense…if not I’ll try to do a post explaining it…
Looks great! I painted our bathroom cabinets years ago, but decided to have the kitchen cabinets done professionally. I figured since they were at eye level, I would drive myself crazy seeing my work.
It only cost about $1500 and that included new hardware and inside mount hinges. It was totally worth it!
I am SOOOOO glad to read this!! The lovely plasticy laminate is slowly but surely peeling off our kitchen cabinets and I so desperately want to paint them but have been scared to. I cannot WAIT to tackle our kitchen and bathrooms!!!!!
I am so thrilled to read your advice. I can save so much money by painting my bathroom cabinets by myself but I had no idea how to paint laminate. Thank you.
Joyce
Great tutorial Rhoda! Very helpful. I have done this laminate painting myself before as well….good point about the inside. Thanks for your teaching!
I'm so glad you posted in this!! I didn't know it was an option & am happy to know there are options with laminate!! 🙂 thanks!!
Thanks for the How-To Rhoda, this is awesome information. Hope you had a wonderful Easter. ♥
Happy belated Easter!
I have some nasty laminate in my rental apartment that I’m itching to paint. Our landlord does not share my enthusiasm. 😉
I have laminate too and I’m so sick of it! I LOVE the way yours looks. I don’t know if I’ve brave enough to try the kitchen (yet) because several of the cabinets are starting to peel {I’m sure having 3 kids that like to pick at things doesn’t help either} but I think I might give hubby a honey-do for one of the guest baths.
Love all your creative ideas.
Allyson
P.S. I once had the same animal print rug. My lovely dog thought it was pretty nice too and chewed up the edges. It matches your cabinets nicely!
I am so loving your black cabinet. My hubby has a white fettish and I let him have his way in the master bath. White everywhere!! Floors, cabinets, white marble tops… we have these huge windows in there too so all white & mirrored glass mixed with so much natural light. Well, lets just say it shows every single little imperfection on the body. Not my favorite place to be, ha ha. Your bath looks great.
Rhoda – love the black. I am thinking of painting my guest bath cabs a rich, chocolate brown. They are currently painted white. I want a drastic change. I love the drama of your black ones. I agree, I never paint the insides. Call me lazy! 😀 Thanks for sharing – I’m glad you had a nice Easter. Warmly, Barb
Rhoda
I never knew you could do this! WOW!
Amazing…I would never have guessed that laminate could be painted and STILL look that good. Thanks.
Wow, that is amazing looking!
Thank God for paints of all kinds huh. Always say it is the cheapest way to redecorate!
Linda Q
Hey Rhoda; I love those cabinets, at first I thought they were black, instead of a deep brown.. Love the rug.. Thanks for all the tips on painting them…
Hugs;
Alaura
You have inspired and informed me once again. I can’t wait to try this. I will be adding it to my list of things to do around here. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing this information. I have been thinking about painting my kitchen cabinets, but I have not yet took the plunge. After reading this I think I will go for it.
Thanks,
Nicole
Thanks so very much for this. I want to do the cabinets in our master bathroom…not sure if I’ll go with black or white…and I have to figure out what to do with the floor, etc….sigh…you are a terrible influence, you wicked, lovely woman ;D
Rhoda – these look incredible! I think they look like really expensive cabinets! Check out what I did to my bathroom cabinets.