Are MDF Cabinets Possible to Paint?

You might be thinking, "Can I paint particle board cabinets?" If you are looking to make a kitchen update and save money, you may wonder if you can. Paint your MDF or particle board cabinets to give your kitchen a fresh look. Painting MDF and particle board requires different techniques than wood to get a great finish.

How to paint particle board cabinets?

Before you open the first can of paint, make sure that your cabinets are worthy of being painted. Particle board can become warped and brittle if it gets wet. Particle board can be difficult to repair if it is damaged. Particle board that is damaged is not worth the effort, time, and money to fix it. It is better to replace any damaged cabinets. To make sure that your cabinets are in good shape, you should conduct a visual inspection.

Let's paint your cabinets if they are in good shape. You will need the following materials to complete this project:

• Oil-based paint 
• Oil-based primer
• We recommend oil-based cabinet paints with semi-gloss sheens or gloss sheens when painting particle board or MDF. Avoid water-based paints as water can cause the particle board to swell.
• 120-grit sandpaper 
• Paint brush 
• Wood filler
• Sawhorses 
• Painter's tape 
• Plastic sheeting 
• Respirator 
• Plastic gloves 
• Eye protection 

Cabinet painting involves painting the doors, frames, and bases of cabinets. Each part of the cabinet will require you to follow the same steps. Below you will see any differences. This process can take up to a week, and your kitchen may get messy. You might not want to cook meals during this project, so plan ahead.

To minimize the mess and disruption in your kitchen, it is best to prepare and paint your cabinet doors outside of the kitchen. This will allow you to avoid any messy cleanup. To contain dust and fumes, you can hang heavy plastic sheeting on the doors leading to the kitchen.

Take out the Cabinet Doors

Begin by removing the cabinet doors and hinges. Next, remove the knobs from the cabinets. You can label each door to make sure you know where it is when you put things back together. You must be careful not to damage the hinge's attachment point to the cabinet. To give the hinges a better "bite," if you are reusing old hinges, you might need to put wood filler in the original screws. After the cabinet doors have been removed, move them to the preparation and painting area.

Here are some tips for painting cabinet doors

You can glue the veneer of fake wood to prevent it from peeling away and then let it dry completely before you start painting.

Take extra care to clean cabinets that have been clogged with grease and other cooking residues.

Old cabinets can look terrible if they are not properly prepared before you apply the paint. It is worth taking extra time to prepare your cabinets before you start painting.