[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Replacing laminate kitchen cabinets can be an expensive way to revamp your kitchen. Instead, a repainting project can be a much more affordable solution. However, repainting laminate kitchen cabinets has different requirements than painting over wood. Here are some best practices to keep in mind during your project:[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Avoid Painting Over Damaged Laminate” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”post_inner_title”][vc_column_text]This is pretty obvious: do not paint over damaged laminate. If the laminate is peeling, warped or cracked, it will show up in the finish. The paint will not be able to bond with the surface of the cabinet, and the end result will look bad. If your cabinets have visible damage on them, you can either perform repairs for minor damage, or you will have to reface the cabinets before painting them over.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Remove Cabinet Hardware” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”post_inner_title”][vc_column_text]Cabinet hardware—such as pulls, knobs, and other visible components—should be removed before beginning the painting project. For the cabinet hinges, you can mask them using painter’s tape, or you can remove the doors entirely and paint them separately from the rest of the components.
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Remove the Dirt and Dust Beforehand” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”post_inner_title”][vc_column_text]It may be tempting to just glance over the cabinets and decide that there’s not enough dirt on them to warrant a quick clean up, but you run the risk of your paint adhering poorly to the laminated surface. Instead, all you have to do is gently wipe away the surface using trisodium phosphate. This will help get rid of all the grime. Afterwards, wipe down the cabinets with a wet rag and let them dry before you start applying paint.
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Sand the Cabinets” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”post_inner_title”][vc_column_text]This might seem crazy, but you will need to sand the cabinets in order for the paint to stick. You can use sandpaper and do it by hand, or you can use a motorized orbital sander. 120-grit sandpaper will do. At this grit, you’ll have enough intensity to get a dusting, but not enough that you completely tear through the very thin surface of the cabinet. Once you are confident that the surface is rough enough, you can use a damp cloth and a handheld vacuum to clean it up.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Choose the Right Prime and Paint” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”post_inner_title”][vc_column_text]Laminate surfaces require special paints and primers. Your project will fail without these. If you do choose to go with a primer, you will need a bonding primer that can stick to laminate, and then you can apply latex or oil-based paint on top of it. You can also skip the primer altogether and go with a paint that is applied directly to the surface. However, this may limit your choice of color in this case. The decision is up to you.
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Test Your Paint Before Applying It” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”post_inner_title”][vc_column_text]Before you start painting, but you should take an extra step to ensure that you picked the right paint for the job. Test its bonding capacity on a small piece of laminate before starting. If it turns out you picked the wrong paint for whatever reason, it will only take you a few minutes to rectify the mistake. However, if you went through the entire project and you find out that you’ve made the wrong choice, you will have to redo hours of work. So, pick a small spot on the laminate, paint it, and let it dry. If you spot any bubbles in the coat, that means that the paint is not adhering well.
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Futher Information about Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Warrenville” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”post_inner_title”][vc_column_text]For more information on kitchen cabinet painting in Warrenville, do not hesitate to contact Prime Time Painting directly. We can help you out with your choice of paints, or even send over one of our team members to provide a free written estimate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
