Interior Painting Mt Laurel: How to Paint Melamine and Laminate Surfaces

Laminate and melamine surfaces are known to damage easily and end up being scratched and nicked, even with normal use.

Unlike homogeneous solid surface materials such as Corian or butcher wood, laminate and melamine are made up of several layers that cannot be effectively sanded.

Unless you replace it with another material, is there a cheap and easy remedy to your laminate and melamine furniture in Mt Laurel?

Yes, there is.

But as with most home improvement projects that seem too good to be true, this one comes with some built-in limitations.

Laminate and Melamine against Other Surfaces

Unlike wood, laminate and melamine cannot be sanded; they have no natural grain. When working with wood, exposing the grain is essential to improve paint adherence.

Laminate and melamine are designed to repel kitchen spills such as food, oil, and water. Unfortunately, paint also happens to be a type of spill, and these surfaces do a pretty good job of preventing the paint from sticking.

It is crucial to prepare the surface for the paint to adhere in the long term.

Poorly applied paint will peel off from the laminate and melamine, creating a bigger mess than you started with.

What Type Of Paint Do You Need?

For countertops, instead of using ordinary paint, you can purchase an all-in-one counter resurfacing system such as Rust-Oleum countertop transformations.

These kits are formulated to handle the rigors of countertops by applying a thick top layer that adheres securely with a strong bonding layer.

These systems markedly include a layer of solid decorative chips which deposit a thick layer that is much thicker than paint, in addition to effectively covering all scratches.

Instead of a kit, you can use an acrylic paint reinforced with urethane, like the INSL-X wardrobe coat.

Although more expensive than regular acrylic-latex paints that you would use on drywall, urethane-reinforced products have better hiding properties and will adhere better to tricky surfaces.

Tools and Materials

Fine-grain sandpaper
TSP (cleaner) and rags
Mineral spirits
Paint roller with dense roller cover
Protective cloth
Plastic sheeting
Paint

Clear the area

Remove all items near cabinets or countertops and place them in the garage or covered patio.

Open the windows.

Place protective sheets on the floor covering and stick the painter’s tape or plastic on all surfaces that will not be painted.

Sand the surface

Sand the laminate or melamine surface with fine-grained sandpaper.

The # 180-100 abrasive paper grains are suitable for light sanding of these surfaces. Sand so that shiny surfaces turn to a mat (or flat) finish.

Do not sand too hard, you may damage the thin top layer of the laminate or melamine.

Clean the Surface

Wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

Next, wipe using rags moistened with mineral spirits.

Allow the surface to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Paint the Counter or the Surface of the Furniture

Apply at least two thin coats of paint with the high-density paint roller, allowing each coat to dry completely for approximately 24 hours before adding the next coat.

Do not apply too much paint as this will cause buildup or drips that are difficult to sand. Generally, the more paint you apply, the smoother and more durable the finish.

The Bottom Line

The above is a general overview of what goes on when repainting laminate or melamine surfaces.

As mentioned, these types of surfaces can be a little tricky to handle if you’re new to painting and home improvement projects.

If you need professional help refinishing your kitchen cabinets, countertops, furniture, etc., The Painting & Wallpapering Co can help.

We currently provide residential and commercial painting services in the areas of Moorestown, Mt Laurel, Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Voorhees, Evesham, Medford, Tabernacle, and Shamong.

Give us a call on 609.953.0944 for a FREE cabinet refinishing estimate.