Best Paint for Laminate Cabinets – Buyer’s Guide

Are your kitchen cabinets becoming an eyesore? If you’re in the market for making an update, you might want to consider sidestepping the costly investment of getting all new cabinetry and instead consider repainting laminate cabinets as an affordable alternative.

If you don’t object to a do it yourself adventure, you can give your kitchen that needed a facelift and achieve an updated eye-catching result. If you’d like to have a result that truly has that customized flair, painting your cabinets might be very appealing for you.

Selecting the right materials is the first step to success. Choosing the best paint for laminate cabinets is a significant starting point that will get you on the right path.

TOP 7 Best Paint for Laminate Cabinets in Apr, 2024

Retique It by Renaissance chalk finish furniture paint

Retique It is a chalk finish designed for painting furniture. It is an eco-friendly paint that results in a chalk finish.

Retique is non-toxic and safe to use indoors. There are zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are responsible for that new paint smell and the unstable chemicals that let off harmful gases.

It is specifically designed for furniture and cabinets to achieve a silky smooth chalk finish which is ideal in achieving the shabby chic, vintage or contemporary looks. This paint advertises having superior coverage, usually needing only one to two coats. Also, no sanding or priming is required.

Retique It by Renaissance comes in the standard 32 Ounce (quart) can but can also be purchased in 16 oz (pint), 128 oz (gallon), and they additionally offer a deluxe starter kit. It is offered in 36 different shades.

General Finishes QSW Water Based Milk Paint

General Finishes is a water-based milk paint that is designed to be used indoor or out and is said to be perfect for updating or repurposing furniture and cabinets.

This paint is water-based but has a strong mineral-based component making it UV resistant.

The mild paint naturally dries to a low luster sheen. General Finishes can be hand applied by brush or sprayed. As it is water-based, mistakes can be easily corrected and cleanup is easy.

General Finishes Milk Paint comes in the standard one quart, one pint, or one-gallon can.

It is available in 35 different shades, though with General Finishes Milk Paint, you can mix it, lighten it, distress it, glaze it, choose to layer various colors, or antique it. You can achieve a vast array of colors and looks far beyond the original 35 shades.

This paint truly allows you to customize your look without the limits generally presented with buying new cabinets or selecting a paint that will only result in a single one color application. The possibilities are endless.

Nuvo Cabinet Makeover Kit

Nuvo Cabinet Paint is considered an “all in one” paint” and requires minimal preparation. No additional steps are involved in stripping or priming. You don’t even need to remove the cabinet doors to apply the product. There is also no need to apply a topcoat or sealer.

While Nuvo is a stand-alone product, it can be paired with Giani Countertop Paint Kits for use in Kitchen or bathroom makeovers.

It is a water-based acrylic paint, available in four colors: White, Black Deco, Earl Grey, and Oxford Blue.

Nuvo Cabinet Paint stands out among the paints reviewed here as it holds the distinction of not only being a product for use on laminate cabinets but is also ideal for use on primed or painted metal cabinetry.

The product comes in a box rather than the standard paint can and is a paint kit. The boxed kit includes two 31 ounce cans of Nuvo Cabinet Paint, one roller arm, two roller covers, a 2-inch angled paintbrush, two stir sticks, and step-by-step instructions.

The contents cover approximately 100 square feet of cabinet surface which is 40 linear feet. The coverage estimate directly aligns with the size of most typical kitchen cabinets.

INSL-X CC550109A-01 Cabinet Coat Enamel

The INSL-X Cabinet Coat Enamel is made of a durable urethane reinforced acrylic that delivers an ultra-smooth “factory-like” finish.

INSL-X provides super adhesion to surfaces that would be viewed as hard to coat. This avoids having to complete the additional step of applying a primer that would be required with other products.

It can be used to update and refurbish cabinets, furniture, shelving trim pieces, and crown molding. The urethane acrylic formula provides a durable finish that can resist chipping, scuff marks, food stains as well as grease and water.

The product comes in a one-quart or one-gallon can. INSL-X provides 350 – 450 square feet of surface coverage per gallon. This amount of coverage is about three times greater than the surface coverage required in the typical kitchen.

Unless you are painting a large area or planning to use the paint on additional projects, the one-quart size is probably more than adequate.

Specific limitations

The only color offered is white. It should not be used for surfaces that will be immersed in liquids such as in a sink or tub. It should also not be used on appliance surfaces such as stoves or ovens.

Additionally, in applying the product to a surface, you should avoid applying it in very cold or very warm temperatures – when the air temperature is below 50F(10 C)or above 90F(32 C). It is recommended for indoor use.

KILZ TRIBUTE Interior Matte Paint and Primer in One

The KILZ Tribute Matte Paint not only comes in a variety of colors but also offers a variety of sheens. They offer 26 color choices and four choices of finish: Matte, Eggshell, Semi-gloss, and Satin. The various finishes come in both the one-gallon and five-gallon size.

While they offer a wide color selection, they all lean toward the pastels and soft muted shades. They do not offer dark bold colors such a black or navy.

KILZ Tribute is 100% advanced technology acrylic paint. It is considered an “all in one” formula where the paint and primer are both applied in one step. The product offers a low VOC level while providing a superior hiding capability and a durable mildew-resistant finish.

One gallon of the KILZ Tribute pain will cover around 400 square feet of the painting surface. This paint does require that you properly prepare the surface to be painted. They should be clean, free of dust, grease, chalk, mold, rust, and any debris or peeling paint.

Rust-Oleum 329598 Chalked Ultra Matte Paint

Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint can be used on a variety of interior surfaces like wood, metal, ceramic and canvas. It can easily be applied to furniture and cabinetry to create a soft vintage look.

The formulation offers a one coat application and dries in only 30 minutes. One gallon will cover up to 150 square feet of surface area.

Rust-Oleum ultra-matte paint has excellent adhesion for hard to paint surfaces as well as easy application. The prep work is minimal, though removing hardware, washing the surface, and possibly lightly sanding glossy surfaces will give you better adhesion.

It is not required that you use a primer, but it is a recommended additional step if your project involves bare wood or wood types that are high in tannins. You will need to prime your project if you are working with redwood, mahogany, or fir.

Heritage Collection – All in one chalk-style paint

Heritage Collection – all in one paint is a chalk-style paint designed with a built-in bonding primer, as well as a built-in wax for those wanting the simplest and shortest process.

This all-in-one paint formula is sealed and becomes extremely durable once it has dried and cured. It is excellent for hard to paint surfaces, and adheres to almost any surface: wood, Formica, glass, ceramic, stone, and cement without the need to sand or prime.

Heritage Collection comes in 12 European inspired color choices.

The paint comes in a twist top jar container rather than the traditional style paint can. It is only available in 32 ounce quart-sized containers. They do offer an 8-ounce sample size to try it before you buy the full quart size.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my cabinets are laminate?

Even the most expensive cabinets have some components that as a veneer or laminate. Cabinets are rarely made of solid wood.

If you don’t know what type of cabinets you have, there are easy steps to evaluate your cabinet type. You need to look at the sides, tops, and bottoms of your cabinets. These are typically made from plywood or particleboard.

Drawer bottoms are always plywood or hardboard which is a dense type of particleboard.

Also, examine the seams as you might see dried glue that has not been completely removed. Quite often you can see a color variation between the real wood and a substitute product used together on cabinets. They fade and age differently, eventually becoming two entirely different colors.

What’s the difference between painting real wood versus Laminate?

If you paint any real wood project, the wood will naturally absorb some of the paint or primer into its pores. This process of the paint seeping into the wood pores creates a bond and helps the paint stick to the wood.

Unlike wood, laminate lacks that porous surface. Laminate surfaces are smooth and slick so that natural adhesion doesn’t occur. This makes it much harder to get the paint to stick to a laminate.

This certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t paint laminate cabinets. It merely means careful selection of the right painting products and the necessary steps to get adhesion is crucial for a good result.

How do I get the paint to stick to laminate cabinets?

As discussed, a laminate surface is smooth and presents a challenge in getting paint products to stick and provide a lasting result that can stand the test of time. Choosing products that are suited for painting laminate cabinets is a critical step in getting a good result. We have provided seven very effective paint choices in painting your laminated cabinets.

What is the difference between wood veneer and laminate?

A veneer is when a thin layer of real hardwood is applied to the top of a less expensive material such as plywood or particleboard.

On the other hand, laminate is merely a printed plastic material made to look like real wood sometimes called Melamine or Thermofoil. This thin layer is then bonded to a composite base which is generally made from plywood or particleboard.

A simple examination of your cabinetry will tell you whether you have laminate or veneer. In either case, you can repaint the surface with the products outlined in this buyer’s guide!

Steps to Ensure Success

Some basic steps are wise precautionary measures to get the best possible chance at a beautiful long-lasting result.

Even if the product you choose indicates no need to strip, sand, primer, or use a top coat – individual results will always vary and you need to use your very best judgment.

If you choose an all-in-one product, you may still elect to take the additional steps of sanding or priming to make certain your paint product adheres and will resist chipping off or flaking as time passes.

Precautionary Measures that May Apply:

• Clean and prepare the surface to be painted – always recommended.
• Consider lightly sanding – especially on glossy surfaces.
• Paint detailed areas with a small brush and larger areas with a paint roller.
• Leave cabinet doors and drawers slightly ajar so they don’t dry shut.
• Allow all paint layers to dry fully before proceeding on to next steps.
• Apply cabinet paint coast according to directions.

Let’s Summarize

If you have cabinets that have seen better days, or if you simply are tired of the general look of your kitchen or bathroom and just want to change it up, consider repainting them yourself.

You can avoid the costly option of replacing your cabinets entirely or the option of hiring someone else to refurbish your cabinets. Doing it yourself offers you a low-cost option of getting just what you want.

Cost Savings Isn’t All

Cost savings aren’t your only benefit. Choosing to do it yourself can open up options to customize the look in ways that simply aren’t possible with the standard choices in replacing cabinets.

There is an abundance of looks that can be achieved, various colors to choose from, and the ability to mix and layer colors in many cases to achieve desired looks.

In the seven high-quality painting products overviewed here, the basic general specific needs in laminating your cabinets have been covered. Laminate cabinets require special properties in the paint used to adequately address these issues and all of the paints reviewed here to cover them.

Your job becomes sifting through these options to find the paint product most suited for your specific needs. Best wishes in getting your desired result.