How To Paint Laminate Cabinets in 9 Steps

Preparation is crucial to success when painting laminate cabinets. Designate a space near the kitchen that can become a low-traffic area for several days. The paint will be curing for a while. Lay drop cloths on the kitchen floor and your designated extra space. Cover any furniture, countertops, or other objects with plastic or drop cloths—secure plastic sheeting with painter's tape.

Remove the door handles from the cabinets and drawers and set them safely aside using your drill or power screwdriver. Next, remove each door, its hinges, and the drawers. Set the hinges aside and take the doors and drawers to your designated work space. Arrange them in order from where they belong in the kitchen or mark them with painter's tape and a marker indicating each's original location.

Clean the cabinet boxes, drawer fronts, and all door surfaces with a degreaser and rags to remove any trace of kitchen grease and grime. Take extra care during this step to ensure no grease remains on the laminate surfaces will yield the best finish results.

Use wood filler, epoxy, or another compound to repair dents or deep surface scratches in the laminate. There's no need to match the color of the cabinets, as the spot will disappear under the primer and paint.

Gently sand every surface that you intend to paint with 120-grit sandpaper. Take extra care to lightly etch the laminate surfaces around corners and edges where paint is likely to have difficulty sticking. Your goal in this step is to lightly scratch the surface without sanding all the way through the laminate. The scratching or etching will help the primer adhere to the surface.

Use rags and a tack cloth to remove dust left over from sanding. Tape off any wall spots that need protection from an errant brush stroke. Then, prime each surface of the cabinet boxes, frames, doors, and drawer fronts and edges using a combination of paint brushes and rollers. Allow the primer to cure according to the manufacturer's label instructions.

Repeat the sanding steps after the primer dries to etch the surface again. This step will give the paint a slightly rough surface to cling to. Remember to sand only lightly to avoid sanding through the primer or the laminate. Wipe off the sanding dust with rags and a tack cloth once again.

After thoroughly mixing the paint, apply it to every surface covered in primer using your brushes and rollers. Although the paint will dry in about an hour, allow the paint to cure for a minimum of two days in optimal and dry conditions. Keep in mind that the curing process  could take up to a week in humid conditions.

When the paint is ready, you can reinstall your cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware. We recommend using a manual screwdriver for this step instead of a power drill to avoid stripping the inside of the screw holes.