Laminate furniture is often inexpensive and easily accessible. Let’s face it though; a lot of it is a little uninspiring, coming in white or black and not bringing much lift and vigour to a room.
If you’ve bought or been given laminate furniture that you want to change the colour of, perhaps for a bedroom revamp or a renovation project, then you might be thinking about painting laminate furniture. Unfortunately, painting laminate furniture isn’t as easy as it seems. It is doable, though.
To paint laminate furniture cleanly, effectively and with longevity in mind, here’s what you need to know.
Can You Paint Laminate Furniture?
According to Sketch Spray the simple answer is yes, you can paint laminate furniture. However, the furniture needs to be prepared first. The laminate surface is not paintable as it is, so you will need to do something to it in order to let the paint stick. There are two ways to prepare laminate furniture for painting; you can either lightly sand the laminate surface or you can use a primer to prep the laminate furniture.
Read: 7 bold furniture hacks to transform your home
Using A Primer To Paint Laminate Furniture
If you want to avoid sanding when you paint your furniture, then you will need to use a primer. To paint laminate furniture without sanding, simply follow these steps:
1. Clean the laminate surface
When it comes to painting most things, you need to clean the surface first in order to create a smooth surface. When you paint laminate furniture, this is equally important. You don’t want furniture with little lumps – so it must be cleaned thoroughly.
A mild cleaner will work well when preparing for painting laminate furniture, but sugar soap will work best to remove grease and residue, especially on any laminate furniture that has been left in storage for any length of time.
2. Apply a high-quality primer
You will need a high quality primer. It is best to choose one specifically designed for painting laminate furniture. A primer designed for painting furniture that is not laminate is unlikely to work as well. Paint a coat of primer onto the surface of the laminate furniture and let the primer dry.
3. Start painting
You will need a couple of coats of paint here. You should opt for enamel paint to make sure that the paint does not chip over time.
Paint your furniture in even coats using one brush or roller in thin, even coats. Let the paint dry completely between each coat to ensure a smooth finish.
4. Apply a durable top coat
You will then need to seal the paint in to prevent the colour from peeling off. This is especially important if you haven’t sanded the laminate furniture as it will protect the paint job from wear and tear.
What Is The Best Primer To Use When Painting Laminate Furniture Without Sanding?
According to the experts at Homes Direct 365, you want to find a primer that is designed for laminate furniture, as mentioned. This means not a water based or oil based primer. Primers such as BIN Shellac Based Primer, Zinsser Cover Stain Primer, and STIX Bonding Primer are highly recommended. They are some of the top bonding primer options out there.
If you can’t find those brands, look for shellac based primers or anything specifically designed for laminate surfaces.
What Is The Best Paint To Use On Laminate Furniture Without Sanding?
There are two types of paint that are recommended for laminate furniture, regardless of whether you are looking to paint it without sanding or whether you’ve sanded it first.
Generally, it is advised to use latex paint or acrylic enamel paint. The latter is best for lighter colours. Both will give your furniture a good colour with protection. Apply the paint to the entire surface and leave to dry, then apply another coat to the laminate surfaces until you reach your desired colour.
You can also use chalk paint, although it is less highly recommended. Chalk paint will work, but it will not provide as much protection. Chalk paint will provide a good colour, but chalk paint is not as sturdy as latex paint or enamel paint is. If you do use chalk paint, you will likely need at least two coats.
How To Paint Laminate Furniture Using Sandpaper
Now you know how to paint laminate furniture without sanding, here’s how to do so with sanding.
1. Prepare the furniture
To prepare the laminate furniture you will need to clean the surface, and then you will need to sand it with 120-grit sandpaper in order to disturb the glossy surface and create a surface that paint will stick to, regardless of whether it is latex paint, chalk paint or anything else.
2. Prime the furniture
As with wood furniture or laminate furniture that you haven’t sanded, you will then need to prime the surface. It doesn’t need to be a bonding primer, though. It can just be any old primer or even a 2 in 1 paint and primer, as you’ve already made a surface that the paint can stick to.
3. Paint the furniture
Apply your paint as with any job, evenly and in thin coats. Then, once it is applied, let it dry completely before applying another coat.
4. Apply a sealant
Add a top coat to the laminate using even brush strokes to create a smooth paint finish.
What Top Coats Are Good For Laminate Furniture?
According to Revamp Spray a polycrylic top coat is a great way to protect your painted laminate surface or any other decorating jobs involving paint, especially if you’ve used latex paint. Acrylic sealers will also work to provide a final layer of protection to the item, meaning that no matter how many times your coffee table gets knocked, your furniture will still look perfect!