Laminate furniture is a popular, affordable option for furnishing your home. While it often looks sleek and stylish, painting laminate furniture can give it an entirely new look.
Many DIYers believe that you need to sand the surface of the piece before painting. However, this isn’t always necessary.
How to paint laminate furniture without sanding? As long as you have a clean laminate surface, you can paint over it using chalk paint or prime the surface using a flexible primer to help the paint adhere to the surface.
In this post, we’ll show you how to paint laminate furniture without sanding and give you a few tips on how to get the best results. Let’s get started!
Can You Paint Over Laminate?
Laminate wood is a versatile and popular material for many household surfaces, from countertops to floors. It is composed of a thin layer of printed plastic bonded to a substrate of plywood or particle board.
The plastic layer provides a flat, durable surface that is resistant to scratches and easy to clean. The plastic also prevents the wood layer underneath from absorbing moisture, which can protect the wood from mold and mildew, as well as prevent warping.
Unfortunately, the plastic layer also prevents the wood from absorbing paint.
When you paint regular wooden furniture, the porous surface of the wood will soak up the paint, which creates a permanent bond that results in a permanent painted finish.
But since laminate is plastic and nonporous, the paint will just sit on top of the plastic and can easily peel or be scraped off from the surface.
This is why when you paint over laminate furniture, you often see paint bubbling on the surface of the laminate or cracking and peeling of paint on the surface after some use. These are signs that the paint is not adhering well to the laminate’s surface.
However, that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to paint over laminate furniture. You can still get a good result when painting laminate furniture as long as you use the right type of paint and primer.
Keep in mind that paint won’t be able to fix other issues that come hand in hand with laminate furniture. If you see cracks on the surface or if the laminate is already peeling from the wood layer, you won’t be able to hide these imperfections with a layer of paint.
Do You Have To Sand Laminate Before Painting?
Most DIYers claim that sanding is required if you want to paint laminate furniture.
This is because, unlike porous materials like wood, laminate does not absorb paint well, so it is important to take special care when preparing the surface for painting.
By sanding the surface of the laminate, you create a rough surface that will help the paint to adhere. In addition, sanding also helps to remove any glossy finishes that may be present on the surface of the laminate, which can also prevent peeling.
In addition, sanding the primer and paint in between coats will also help even out the surface to create a smooth finish for the paint.
However, you can skip the sanding step and still get a decent result when painting laminate furniture. By using the right type of paint and primer, you can still successfully paint laminate furniture without having to sand the surface.
What Kind Of Paint Works With Laminate Furniture?
There are two ways that you can paint over laminate furniture: using chalk paint or preparing the surface with a bonding primer to help the paint stick to it.
Chalk Paint
When it comes to painting furniture, chalk paint is a popular choice for its ease of use. Unlike other types of paint, chalk paint requires almost no preparation. You don’t have to sand or prime the surface because chalk paint will adhere to almost any surface, including laminate.
Chalk paint also has a unique matte finish that can add a touch of vintage charm to any piece. In addition, chalk paint is easily distressed, giving furniture and cabinets an antique look.
Chalk paint is easy to apply and forgiving of mistakes like uneven colors or textures. In fact, these mistakes can even add to the vintage look. This means chalk paint is quite beginner friendly.
It’s also very easy to maintain. As long as the chalk paint is not finished with wax or varnish, you can easily paint over it with another layer of chalk paint if you want to refresh the look of your furniture.
If you want the chalk paint to stay durable for a few years, the best sealer to use with chalk paint is wax or lacquer. Both are clear, glossy finishes that you can apply over the chalk paint to protect it from scratches, dust, and sunlight.
Wax is quite easy to apply and very beginner-friendly, but it can also be scratched easily and will need to be reapplied frequently. On the other hand, the lacquer will need a bit more time and skills to apply, but the finish will stay quite durable for a few years.
Primer
If you don’t love the vintage, distressed look of chalk paint, you can also paint over laminate furniture using any kind of paint that you would like, as long as you prime the surface first.
Since laminate has a layer of plastic on top, you will need to use a durable primer that works with plastic surfaces, such as shellac or latex primer.
These types of primer are flexible enough to bond with plastic while creating a surface that can provide some grip for the paint.
We recommend using Rust-Oleum Plastic Primer Spray or Zinsser Plus Spray Primer, which are spray primers that are easy to apply and will stick to laminate surfaces.
If you prepare the surface with a good primer first, it can provide some grip for the paint, which allows it to adhere to the surface without sanding. After painting, you may also want to seal the surface with a clear sealant like polyurethane to protect the finish and colors over time.
Out of the two options for painting laminate furniture, this one gives you more room to explore different finishes and colors because you can use any type of paint and finishes. The result will tend to last longer as well, as long as you use a sealant.
However, this option will also take longer and more coats of primer, paint, and sealant to get the best result. Let’s take a look.
How To Paint Laminate Furniture Using Chalk Paint
If you want to create a vintage, distressed look for your furniture using chalk paint, here is what you will need:
- Degreaser
- A clean microfiber towel
- A screwdriver
- Painter’s tape
- Foam brushes
- Flat paint brushes
- Chalk paint
- Wax or lacquer (optional)
Step 1: Remove handles.
If your laminate furniture has any hardware (handles, legs, etc.) that you don’t want to paint, you will need to remove them before doing anything else.
If the hardware cannot be removed, you can also use painter’s tape to seal off those areas to prevent paint from getting on the hardware. If you are using painter’s tape, you can do so after step 2.
Step 2: Clean the surface.
Although chalk paint requires minimal preparation before painting, it still requires a clean surface. If there’s any dirt or oil on the surface, the paint won’t be able to stick, and you will see a lot of texture in the final result.
Use a degreaser to clean the surface thoroughly to remove any dirt or oil. After wiping away the degreaser, use a clean, dry microfiber towel to wipe down the surface to dry it off and remove any dust remaining on the surface.
Step 3: Tape
Use painter’s tape to protect any edges and details that you don’t want to paint.
Step 4: Paint
Use a flat brush to first paint smaller areas and edges that need fine detailing. Then, use a foam brush to apply paint to large, flat areas.
You will need at least two coats of chalk paint to cover a surface completely. You will need to wait for the first layer of paint to dry completely before applying the second coat to prevent any texture on the surface.
Depending on the manufacturer, the drying time of chalk paint can range from a few hours to a day, so make sure to check the label of your paint to find out the drying time before applying the second coat.
Step 5: Seal
Wait for the paint to dry before sealing.
Using your sealant of choice, apply a thin, even layer over the chalk paint. You only need to apply one coat of sealant to protect the chalk paint.
Step 6: Finishing touches
After the sealant is completely dry, remove the painter’s tape, and reattach the hardware to your furniture to get it ready for use.
How To Paint Laminate Furniture With Paint And Primer
If you want to paint laminate furniture using another type of paint rather than chalk paint, you will need to prepare the surface using a primer to help the paint stick. A coat of clear sealant after painting will also prevent scratches and yellowing.
- Degreaser
- A clean microfiber towel
- A screwdriver
- Painter’s tape
- Foam brushes
- Flat paint brushes
- Water-based paint
- A latex or shellac primer
- A clear polyurethane top coat
Step 1: Remove handles.
Remove any hardware from the furniture and set them aside.
Step 2: Clean the surface.
Clean the surface thoroughly with a degreaser and wipe it clean with a dry microfiber towel to remove any dirt and grease from the surface.
Step 3: Tape
Use painter’s tape to seal off any areas that you don’t want to paint.
Step 4: Prime
Spray a layer of primer liberally over the surface of the laminate. You will need to coat the entire surface with a thin, even layer of primer.
Wait for the first coat of primer to dry and apply another coat on top. The two coats of primer will ensure that you don’t miss any area and create a nice, even result for the paint.
Allow the primer to dry before painting. You can find the drying time on the label of the primer that you are using; it usually takes a few hours for the primer to dry.
Step 5: Paint
Apply at least two coats of paint over the area that you want to paint. Make sure to wait for the first coat to dry before the next coat to prevent the paint from bubbling or peeling from the surface.
Step 6: Seal
Apply a thin layer of sealant over the paint. Make sure to smooth out the brush strokes to prevent any uneven textures.
Step 7: Finishing touches
After the sealant is dry, remove the painter’s tape, and reattach the hardware to your furniture.
Tips For Painting Laminate Furniture
Match Your Paint And Primer
When you use a primer, it’s important to match the type of primer you are using with the type of paint you’re using for the best result.
For example, if you are using a water-based primer like latex, make sure to match it with water-based paint. If you are using an oil-based primer, match it with an oil-based paint.
Use At Least Two Coats Of Primer And Paint
When it comes to painting, many people skimp on the primer and paint, thinking that one coat will be enough.
However, this is rarely the case. In most situations, two coats of both primer and paint are necessary in order to get good coverage. This is especially true if you are painting over a dark color.
By taking the time to apply two coats, you can be sure that your paint job will look its best. In addition, using two coats of primer will help to ensure that your paint adheres well to the surface and doesn’t chip or peel over time.
Prevent Brush Strokes
One of the most important things to keep in mind when the painting is to avoid creating any texture. A smooth, even surface is key to a professional-looking finish.
Texture can be created by brushstrokes that are too thick or by using a brush that is too stiff. You will need to even out the surface by lightly sanding the surface between each coat to smooth out any brushstrokes and textures.
However, if you don’t want to sand the surface, make sure to always use a soft brush and make sure to smooth out your brushstrokes. For best results, use long, even strokes in one direction. Taking these steps will help you create a smooth, even surface that is free of texture.
Work In Ideal Conditions
When painting, it’s important to work in an ideal condition to allow the paint to dry evenly without peeling.
This means you need to work in a well-ventilated area to prevent inhaling any fumes, but also work at room temperature and in a low-humidity area.
High humidity can also cause the paint to blister and peel, so it’s important to keep the area as dry as possible. If you’re working indoors, you may need a dehumidifier to keep the air comfortable for painting.
Make sure to open windows and doors to allow air circulation. Room temperature will also ensure the drying time match what the manufacturer suggests, so you can complete the painting process without any issues.
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