How to Spray Paint Laminate Furniture


Painting laminate furniture is different from painting wooden furniture, and if you haven’t done it before, you may be wondering how to spray paint laminate furniture. Spray painting has been gaining popularity in recent years as it provides a quick and efficient way to give your furniture a fresh coat of color, and this time we’ll use it to transform your laminate piece.

So let’s see the combo of spray paint for furniture and laminate furniture, and learn how you can do it yourself with just a few easy steps!

spraying behr spray paint onto laminate furniture with text overlayspraying behr spray paint onto laminate furniture with text overlay

Laminate furniture is made of a thin layer of synthetic material over wood that is smooth and glossy, and unlike wooden furniture, laminate does not absorb paint well. This makes it tricky to paint and can result in a patchy and uneven finish if not done properly.

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This makes many people hesitant about attempting to paint their laminate furniture. But with the right tools and techniques, you can get a beautiful and long lasting finish on your laminate piece and save money instead of buying a new one.

In this post, we’ll use spray paint for laminate furniture – spray paint is convenient and easy to use, comes in a wide variety of colors, and dries quickly. It also helps to avoid brush marks and drips that can be more common with traditional paint and painting methods.

So keep reading to find out how to paint laminate furniture with spray paint successfully and tackle your laminate DIY project with confidence!

Supplies Used for Spray Painting Laminate Furniture

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Cleaning Laminate Furniture

Start by giving your piece a good wipe down with a cleaning solution. You can use a degreaser or mild detergent and water, but my favorite for this job is Krud Kutter. Make sure to get into all the nooks and corners to remove any dirt, grime, or grease that may have accumulated over time.

cleaning laminate furniture with krud kuttercleaning laminate furniture with krud kutter

Let your furniture dry completely before moving on to the next step. Any residual moisture can affect how well the paint adheres and may cause an uneven finish. You want a clean, smooth surface for the best results. You can get more details and tips on how to clean furniture before painting here.

Sanding Laminate Furniture

So now that your furniture is clean and dry, it’s time to tackle the sanding process. Again, laminate furniture with its slick surface can be tricky to paint, and sanding helps to create a rough surface for the paint to adhere to.

But you don’t need to sand it down completely – just enough to dull the shine and remove any imperfections. Grab some 220 grit sandpaper and begin gently sanding the laminate surface. You don’t want to press too hard or you may damage the material.

sanding laminate furniture using 220 grit sandpapersanding laminate furniture using 220 grit sandpaper

Be sure to also sand any areas with scratches or chips. Sanding these areas will help to even out the surface and create a smooth canvas for painting. If you have deep scratches or chips, you’ll need to follow some extra steps to repair them. Here’s repairing old furniture to guide you through the process.

Remember, the better your prep work is, the better your final result will be! Once you’re done sanding, make sure to vacuum up the dust you created. After vacuuming, I also like to use a tack cloth to wipe away any extra dust remaining on the surface. You don’t want any dust particles to get trapped under the paint and affect the finish.

Do I need to sand before spray painting?

You may be tempted to skip the sanding step, especially if you’re using spray paint. You might be looking for a quick and easy painting process, and if you can get away without sanding, you’ll want to know.

To answer the question, yes, you do need to sand before spray painting laminate furniture. Remember, we need to help the paint adhere to the slick laminate surface, and sanding is the most efficient way to do so.

But it is possible to skip sanding and work around it. You can check out how to paint laminate furniture without sanding here, but we still recommend sanding if you want the best and most durable finish for your furniture. It’s a tried and tested method for sure!

Priming Laminate Furniture

Another important way for a successful spray painting project with laminate furniture is to properly prime it before painting. Priming helps the paint stick better and last longer, and for this step, we recommend using a clear shellac or BIN shellac based primer, both available in spray cans for easy application.

priming laminate furniture with clear shellacpriming laminate furniture with clear shellac

These spray primers do have a strong odor so it’s important to use them in a well ventilated area or outdoors and wear proper safety gear like a respirator. Apply 2 coats of primer evenly on the entire surface, making sure to cover every nook and cranny. Here’s priming wood for painting so you can learn more about why priming is important and how to apply your primer.

This will create a strong bond between the laminate and paint, preventing it from peeling or chipping easily. Just remember to let the primer dry completely before moving on to painting. Each primer may have a different recommended drying time so make sure to read the instructions carefully.

Spray Painting Laminate Furniture With Behr Spray Paint

After doing all the prep work, we continue with the fun part – spray painting! Behr spray paint is a great choice for painting laminate furniture with its durability and wide range of color options. We have tested it alongside other popular spray paints and we have to say, Behr was a top performer. You can check out the test in this best spray paint for wood furniture post!

spraying behr spray paint onto laminate furniturespraying behr spray paint onto laminate furniture

When using Behr spray paint, make sure to shake the can well for at least a minute before applying. You want the paint to be properly mixed so it sprays nicely and evenly. Holding the can about 10 inches away from the surface, use smooth back and forth motions to create thin and even layers of paint.

Wait for about 10 minutes between coats so the paint can dry properly. This will also help prevent runs or drips in your final finish. Once you’re done applying all your coats, leave the furniture to dry completely for at least 24 hours. For a more detailed guide on using spray paint, here’s how to spray paint furniture!

After that, you can lightly use your newly painted laminate furniture. It will take up to a month for the paint to fully cure though, so be careful not to damage or scratch it while it’s still in the curing process.

Instructions

  1. Prepare your furniture by cleaning it thoroughly with a degreaser like Krud Kutter, and make sure to dry it completely before moving on to the next step.
  2. Sand the laminate surface gently with 220 grit sandpaper to create a rough surface for the paint to adhere to and remove any imperfections like scratches or chips.
  3. Prime the furniture with a clear shellac or BIN shellac based primer, applying two coats evenly on all surfaces and letting each coat dry completely before painting.
  4. Shake your spray paint can well for at least a minute before using and hold it about 10 inches away from the surface to create 2-3 thin and even layers of paint. Wait for each coat of paint to dry for about 10 minutes before applying the next.
  5. Let the final coat of spray paint dry completely for at least 24 hours before using the furniture. Be careful not to damage or scratch the newly painted surface while it’s still curing – this process can take up to a month for the paint to fully cure.

Recommended Products

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