Can You Paint Melamine?

If you've visited a modern residence in the past, you've encountered melamine. Melamine is also known as MDL (or Medium Density Laminate), a type of material like plastic placed over pressboard and is used for a myriad of purposes in the construction of homes in the past 20 years. Melamine is a flexible and long-lasting material that is ideal for things like countertops and cabinets. It is impervious to all types of damages and spills.

If you own melamine cabinets and countertops, then you might have thought about whether you can apply paint to them in order to provide your kitchen with a revitalization. There's nothing better than an update to the paint to make your kitchen appear new. While a full remodel might be beyond your budget, a coat paint is a good affordable option that will make a huge difference.

In this article, we'll describe the difference between laminate and melamine as well as provide some guidelines about how to paint melamine effectively. With these tips, you can refresh your kitchen without the need to purchase countertops or cabinets.

What is the Difference Between Melamine and Other Laminates?

Melamine is a popular material. Its counterpart laminate is more well-known. While they share some features, they have different degrees of protection and are available in distinct price ranges. Melamine is a lot less costly and has a softer consistency. It's typically used on the inside of cabinets, but it can also be utilized on the exterior too.

Even though they're different in thickness, both need the same procedures for applying the paint. It is important to complete the task thoroughly and in a timely manner. Painting cabinets isn't an easy job and requires a lot of planning for an outstanding final product.

How to Paint Melamine

Remove Any Hardware or Doors and Drawers

Before you paint any surface made of melamine, you must be sure 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're painting your cabinets made of melamine, take off the doors and then move them to a place to be painted independently. The removal of the drawers and doors will make sure there aren't spots where paint could become trapped, for instance, in the cracks on the doors. It also assists in preventing drips and areas where paint may get splattered and not be dry enough.

Clean Thoroughly

Countertops and cabinets are the most touch-sensitive areas in your kitchen. Because these surfaces are close to the stove as well as other cooking equipment, they are likely to be areas on them where grease has been accumulating over time. Before painting, wash all surfaces using a premium cleaning or degreaser. If you do not remove the grease, your paint will not adhere properly.