Hi there… I hope you’re well and thanks for stopping by! {big smile}
A popular topic around here (and in blog land) has been painting laminate furniture. I thought I’d continue the conversation today because I found this shapely French Provincial Laminate Dresser at the Thrift Store… so pretty!
This is a perfect piece to show you The 2 Best Ways to Paint Laminate Furniture.
Let’s start with a non-techie description and say that laminate is very different than veneer!
Laminate is a man-made shiny, smooth, non-porous material that is like a ‘print’ or ‘photo’ of the wood grain. Manufacturers use this product to cover less expensive wood-composite furniture to give the appearance of higher quality wood.
Laminate CAN be painted but it can NOT be stained.
Common concerns when painting laminate furniture is:
1. Bubbling while the paint/primer is still wet.
2. Poor adhesion after the paint has dried/cured.
Both indicate that your paint did NOT properly stick or bond to the laminate. This will cause all your hard work/finish to scratch off easily long after your piece is complete. And we don’t want that!… so here we go….
The 2 Best Ways to Paint Laminate Furniture ~ Method #1
Step 1. Clean the Surface
This dresser was dusty so all that was needed to clean it was a soft cloth dampened with warm water. If it had had grease or staining, I would have used vinegar and water or a TSP solution.
If you use any sort of chemical cleaner, ensure that all the residue is thoroughly wiped off before Step 2.
Step 2. Lightly Sand the Entire Piece
Yes, SAND! Laminate is a slick and non-porous surface so it’s best to lightly scuff the surface. I use 150-220 grit sandpaper to sand the laminate because it’s the BEST way to get the primer and paint to adhere properly. Trust me…this step will ensure your paint job lasts!
Be careful not to over-sand though.
I once used my sander and tore the laminate right off. When I painted that piece, you could see the difference in “texture” (MDF vs Laminate) through my paint job.
So be easy with your sanding. Take the sandpaper in your hand and lightly go over the piece as if you’re wiping down your kitchen counter. No more is required!
Step 3. Prime
I used B.I.N shellac-based primer. I really like this primer because it has super adhesion for shiny surfaces including tiles. A few of my other favorite primers are KILZ and Zinsser.
When you choose a primer to paint laminate, just make sure it says for shiny surfaces. One coat is sufficient but you can do two coats if you prefer. If the primer is not adhering to the laminate properly, you’ll notice it looks uneven and bubbly.
Step 4. Paint
After 1 coat of primer, I applied 3 coats of Café au Lait paint.
For a professional finish, I like to lightly sand in-between each coat with fine grit sandpaper.
Step 5. Protect with a Sealer/Topcoat
Protect and seal your work with a topcoat. I used Minwax Wipe-On Poly in Satin for the handles and Annie Sloan Clear Wax for the entire dresser.
The 2 Best Ways to Paint Laminate Furniture ~ Method #2
I used 2 different paints on this dresser and of course one of them had to be Chalk/Mineral Paint!
The Café au Lait part was painted with a regular eggshell latex with all the steps described in Method #1.
The Dove White (front drawers and striped sides) was painted with a custom Chalk/Mineral Paint. When painting laminate with Chalk/Mineral Paint (brand name or HMCP), the steps are EXACTLY the same as Method #1 EXCEPT NO PRIMER is needed.
With Chalky Paints sanding is usually not required, but to get a long-lasting finish on the laminate, a light sanding is still a REALLY good idea!
You can get some really great deals on wood laminate furniture and they paint up gorgeous… so I hope you’re inspired to give it a try!
Update 06/19/2018 – Hi guys! I’ve painted plenty of laminate pieces since this post was originally published. I’m pretty picky (and loyal) with the primers I use but I recently found another amazing product that adheres paint to laminate. No sanding, water-based, easy to use and clean up… and it sticks like nobody’s business! You can see a laminate dresser I’ve used it on here. If you do decide to give it a try, I’d love to hear what you think and how you’re project turned out. 🙂
RELATED POSTS::
How To Paint Laminate Without Sanding – 90’s Makeover
Painting Over Laminate The EASY Way
The Difference Between Laminate and Veneer
Milk Paint Laminate Furniture
How To Make ANY Surface Paintable
I’D LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS FINISH. IF YOU HAVE ANY TIPS YOU’D LIKE SHARE OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU.
Happy painting and have an inspiring day my friends,
Denise x
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I was wondering how you did the design for the white chalk paint and made it look antique? I love this design and idea and wanted to do that to my furniture. Could you tell me?
Hi Roberta! I took a piece 220 grit sanding sponge and gave it a light sanding on the raised details. 🙂
I have took off part on my laminate on one leg, where the seal was down the corner of the leg I accidentally took it off, is this fixable?
I wondered if the Fresh Start primer from Benjamin Moore would also work. I usually only use their products.
I’ve never tried BM Fresh Start Primer but BM has fabulous products. If you were to ask one of their associates they’d let you know how it works on laminate. 🙂
I have a glass doored laminate cabinet I’ve wanted to makeover forever. This gives me hope. Does it matter what paint I use? I’m thinking of using a high gloss. Will this work with the primer? Should I still seal it? Thank you!
i found you by chance and couldn’t be more happier.
thank you for sharing amazing ideas and tips for inspirations and so on.
i will now paint a laminate cabinet per your instructions. please post more I became a fan
Thanks so much and a big warm WELCOME Mel! Nice to have you here. 🙂
Hi Denise!.
I have a coffee table made of marble grained laminate on plywood top, and it has a.veey matte finish and I was looking to make it glossy and shiny..how would you recommend I go about it
So I’ve already primed my walnut brown cabinets, and I was looking at paint options. Although your article says this isn’t necessary, can I still paint them with chalk paint? Thanks in advance.
You sure can! 🙂
This was awesome thanks bunches! Can’t wait to paint my table and chairs! Your dresser looks beautiful!
Thanks Kenyatta and have fun with your table. 🙂
Thank you for these great tips. Truly appreciate you sharing your expertise.
I’m so glad you’re finding it helpful… Thanks Carolyn! 🙂
Hi,
Thanks so much for all the tips in this post it’s so useful! I was wondering if you sand and prime and then decide to use a chalky / mineral paint will it still be okay? Thanks Jess
Thanks Jess, I’m happy you’ve found these tips helpful. 🙂 And yes, chalk/mineral paint will adhere really well to sanded and primed pieces. I do it all the time when working with older pieces that bleed through. 🙂
Hello I’m going to be painting my first laminate nights stands, and was wondering what brushes do you use ?
I’ve used a variety of brushes Chyanne! My go-to’s are Dixie Belle’s, Purdy and Woosters. That said, when I first started I was using dollar store brushes. I suggest getting the best brush you can afford. Hope this helps.