Is Painting Over Laminate Surface a Good Idea?

Featured laminates: RP2100T, RR2855T, RP2189T, EA338T (From top to bottom)

Laminates are a common finish for many surfaces (think TV consoles, cabinets, and shelves). However, these surfaces are susceptible to wear and tear which may look outdated over time.

Unlike solid-surface materials that can be sanded down to diminish the flaws, laminates are composed of multiple layers that shouldn’t be sanded through. That said, we have been receiving queries from homeowners asking whether we can paint over laminates so we’ll be doing a discussion on some of the pros and cons here.

If you’re thinking of painting over any of the laminate surfaces in your house but are concerned whether it’ll hold up with time, know that it requires a great amount of preparation, paint, and technique. That said, here are five questions to ask yourself before you begin painting over your laminate surfaces.

5 Questions to Consider Before Painting Over Any Laminate Surface

1. Are you confident about your handiwork?

You may have taken some painting lessons back when you were younger, but painting over laminate surfaces, especially your kitchen cabinet, is a bigger feat than just picking up the brush.

It involves some prep work and knowledge about which paint is the best for the outcome that you expect. Also, your choice of paint applicator for a traditionally flat laminate surface matters, as some popular paint tools tend to leave an unsightly trail of brush strokes once the paint dries up.

2. Are you prepared for some physical work?

Depending on your skills, it can take you more than a couple of hours just dealing with the prep work. If the thought of the long hours makes you restless, best to abort your initial plan of painting over your laminate surfaces to save you from the stress.

However, if you’re prepared for some physical work, like painting your laminated kitchen cabinet, do note that you have to remove the handles and other visible hardware for a smooth painting process. You can also cover the metal hinges with painter’s tape to minimise painting flaws.

3. Are you a perfectionist?

Many believe that perfectionists are incapable of accepting any standard that’s short of perfection. While that may be true, you should try to let go of the “what ifs” and take this opportunity to embrace minor flaws.

As with all DIYs, there are times when the outcome isn’t how you expected it to be. You’ll have to accept the tiny flaws which can be a few wonky lines or accidental smudges on your freshly-painted laminate surface.

4. Would you be able to commit the extra cash if something went wrong?

Let’s say you’ve decided to paint your laminated kitchen cabinet on your own. But things start to go wrong when you do the painting without proper preparation such as cleaning and sanding some of the laminate surfaces. This causes your paint job to look sloppy so you have to find a way to fix it. 

By doing the painting process yourself, you get to save some of the cost at the expense of your time and effort. However, if something went wrong, are you willing to spend the extra cash to get the job done?

5. Why paint when you can resurface with Jennings Laminate?

Painting over your laminate surfaces may not be the only solution to change up the look of your home. At Jennings Laminate, we provide a wide variety of laminates to give you an easy solution for your resurfacing needs.

If you ever decide to paint over your laminate cabinets, make sure you take the time to ponder over these questions as painting over laminate surfaces isn’t just about the artwork. It involves the technicalities of doing a proper paint job as well as patience to get it done.