How to paint laminate cabinets

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. Whether large or small, your kitchen deserves to look its best. But we all know how expensive a kitchen renovation can be – so rather than ripping out the cabinetry to keep up with this year’s trends, why not simply spruce them up with a little paint? Today, we’ll show you how to paint laminate cabinets.

If your cupboards are in good condition but simply look a little dated, this DIY is right up your alley. Before picking up a paintbrush, keep in mind that not any old paint will do. The paint needs to be specifically designed to stick to cabinetry material (most likely laminate or melamine) and ensure long-lasting results.

Clean and protect
As with any home makeover, preparation is key. Before you begin, be sure to give your cupboard doors a good scrub with White Knight’s tile and laminate cleaner to remove any residual grease (mould can be removed with a blend of water and bleach). Use drop sheets (or rags) to protect the kitchen floor, benchtop and splashback from paint splatter.

Measure up
First up, knowing how much paint you need for your kitchen. The same golden formula from my previous post on revamping bathroom tiles applies here; simply multiply the length and height of your cupboard surfaces, then divide that number by twelve. Pick up that many litres of White Knight Laminate Paint, and you’re ready to transform!

Prepare doors
To ensure your kitchen doesn’t turn into a hot mess, you need to remove all the cabinet doors and drawers you are planning to paint by their hinges. Remember to label them all before removal, that way you can easily place them back where they belong after painting. Cover the back edges of the doors with painters tape, and remove any door knobs (unless you want to paint them too). Finally, lightly sand back the door surfaces to get them ready for the primer.

Prime
White Knight’s tile and laminate primer provides a base coat that helps your final coat of paint stick to the laminate surface. Use a small roller and roller tray (never straight from the tin) to prime the door edges first, then apply the primer in a zig zag motion across the front of the door. After four hours you can apply the second coat of primer, then leave for another four before lightly sanding in preparation for the laminate paint.

Paint
Depending on what sort of finish you are after, you can use either White Knight’s laminate paint (satin finish) or their tile paint (gloss finish), and have them tinted to whatever colour your heart desires.

Stir your paint well (otherwise the pigment might sink to the bottom!), then apply your paint; using a roller and tray, start with the edges first, then use nice, long strokes for the front of the doors. Keep the coats thin to prevent any cracking or bubbling. Leave the first coat to dry for six hours, then give the doors a light sand before applying the second coat using the same long strokes.

Your flash new cabinetry will be ready to host My Kitchen Rules challenges in a week. Before then, be gentle with the fresh surfaces, and avoid pulling out the bleach or bicarb.

–Naomi Findlay is Australia’s rapid renovation expert, an internationally renowned renovator, award-winning property stylist and speaker.She’s an industry leader in creating healthy wealthy spaces and creating wealth and profit from renovating property. Naomi is CEO of staging company Silk Home and founder and principal of education provider, the International Institute of Home Staging (IIHS).