Can You Paint Melamine?

If you've been in a modern house in the past, you've encountered melamine. Melamine, also known by the name of MDL (or Medium Density Laminate), is a product similar to plastic placed over pressboard and is used for a myriad of purposes in homes built over the past 20 years. Melamine is a flexible and long-lasting product, which is ideal for things such as countertops and cabinets. It is impervious to all types of damage and spills.

If you have cabinets made of melamine and countertops, then you might be wondering if you could put them on paint so that your kitchen gets a new life. Nothing beats fresh paint to make your kitchen appear new. Although a complete remodel may be beyond your budget, coat paint is a great affordable option that will make a huge difference.

In this article, we'll describe the difference between laminate and melamine and provide some suggestions for painting melamine efficiently. If you follow these steps, you can refresh your kitchen without needing to purchase new countertops or cabinets.

What is the Difference Between Melamine and Other Laminates?

Melamine is a popular material. Its counterpart laminate is more popular. While they share some features, however, they provide different degrees of protection and are available in distinct price ranges. Melamine is much more affordable and has a softer consistency. It is typically used for the inside of cabinets and is also utilized on the exterior too.

But, even though they are different in thickness, both have the same steps to apply an application of paint. It is important to finish the job properly and in a timely manner. Painting cabinets isn't an easy job and requires a lot of planning to get an excellent completed product.

How to Paint Melamine

Remove Any Hardware or Doors and Drawers

Before painting any melamine surface, it is important that you should be certain to take out any cabinet doors, drawers, or hardware. To ensure an even and professional-looking paint job, you must ensure that the coating completely covers the entire surface. Without taking off the hardware, it's very difficult to reach each area without accidentally painting the hardware.

If you plan to paint your cabinets with melamine, remove the doors and then move them into an area that can be painted by themselves. Removal of the drawers and doors will make sure there aren't spots where paint could become trapped, for instance, within the cracks of the doors. This also prevents drips and areas where paint can build up and not be dry enough.

Clean Thoroughly

Countertops and cabinets are the most touch-sensitive areas in your kitchen. Because they are close to the stove as well as other kitchen appliances, There are likely to be areas that have grease developed over time. Before painting, wash the surfaces using a top-quality cleaner or degreaser. If you don't get rid of the grease, the paint will not adhere properly.