Can You Spray Paint Laminate Furniture

We’ve established you can use spray paint for furniture to easily transform your outdated pieces into something beautiful. But what about laminate furniture? Can you spray paint laminate furniture and get the same stunning results?

Laminate is a smooth and slick surface you often find on furniture, and painting it can be a bit tricky since it’s not as porous as wood. So let’s find out if you can use spray paint on laminate furniture and how to do it successfully!

Your furniture may have a laminate finish if it has a smooth surface and a plastic like sheen. Laminate is commonly used on many types of furniture such as dressers, shelves, and tables because it’s durable and easy to clean.

But one of the main challenges when it comes to painting laminate furniture is that paint has a harder time adhering to laminate. So again, what about spray paint? Will you be able to paint laminate with spray paint and how can you make sure it sticks?

Keep reading to find out the answers to these questions and learn some know-how in updating your laminate pieces into something new and stylish.

Can You Spray Paint Laminate Furniture?

To answer this question, yes, you can spray paint laminate furniture! Using spray paint can be a great and quicker option for updating laminate pieces compared to traditional painting methods.

However, since we’re working with a slick and non porous surface, we have to take extra care and prep the laminate furniture well. This includes cleaning the surface thoroughly to remove any dirt or oils that may prevent the paint from sticking.

Next, it’s important to scuff sand the laminate to create a slightly rougher surface for the primer and paint to adhere to. And speaking of primer, this is also an important step to make sure your spray paint stays on for the long haul.

Spray paint sticks better to laminate compared to regular wall paint, and this proves you can totally use spray paint. But proper prep work would greatly improve the results, so don’t ever skip out on it!

How to Spray Paint Laminate Furniture

Now let’s learn how to actually spray paint laminate furniture. Follow these steps so you can get a beautiful and lasting finish on your laminate pieces.

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Preparing Laminate Furniture

As we mentioned earlier, preparing laminate furniture is key to successfully spray painting it. Start with cleaning the surface thoroughly with a degreaser cleaner like Krud Kutter to remove any dirt or oils that could affect the adhesion of the paint.

You can also use hot soapy water and Dawn dish soap as an effective cleaning solution. For a more detailed guide on cleaning furniture, here’s how to clean furniture before painting.

Next, we scuff sanded the laminate surface with 220 grit sanding sheets and our favorite SurfPrep Sander (Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order). You can also hand sand with these 220 sandpaper sheets too. It just takes a little more elbow grease than with a power sander, but still gets the job done! Learn more about SurfPrep Electric Ray 3×4′′ Sander here!

This roughs it up as well as removes any scratches or imperfections. Just remember not to sand too much as this can damage the surface. Wipe away the dust from sanding afterwards. But if you want to skip sanding here’s our detailed guide on how to spray paint laminate furniture without sanding!

Then it’s time to prime the laminate furniture. We want the spray paint to bond well with the surface. So get one of these best spray primers for wood, apply 2 coats, and let it dry.

Best Spray Paint for Laminate Furniture

We’re moving on to painting and of course, the type of spray paint you use is important. Out of the spray paints we have tried, we can say Behr Spray Paint is the best spray paint for laminate furniture! This paint offers great coverage and is durable on its own. Still, keep in mind that you’ll need to use a primer before painting for the best results.

It also has a great spray pattern and a comfortable, easy-to-use spray tip. For color and sheen, Behr has you covered with matte, satin, and gloss options in 27 colors.

Simply shake the spray paint can for a minute or two, then begin spray painting your laminate piece! For best results, apply the paint in even coats, holding the can approximately 10 inches from the surface. Move the can back and forth, creating very thin layers of paint.

For a more detailed guide, here’s how to spray paint laminate furniture! Our Behr spray paint review also has more of our personal experience with this product, so check it out.

Spray Paint Dry Time

So how long does it take for spray paint to dry? Typically, most spray paints will be dry to the touch in about 30 minutes to an hour. However, it’s important to note that this is just a surface dry and the paint may still be vulnerable if touched or handled too soon.

For the next coat of paint, it’s best to spray it within an hour of the first one for the best adhesion. If you wait longer, you might have to wait 72 hours before spraying again. So plan accordingly and make sure you have enough time for multiple coats.

And remember, even though the paint may feel dry, it’s still best to be extra careful and gentle with your newly painted piece for about a month while the paint fully cures. Give it enough time before using or decorating your laminate piece, and once fully cured, you’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come!

Can you spray paint laminate without sanding?

We’ve mentioned above that sanding is an important step in prepping laminate furniture for spray painting. We know that you have to put in some extra work with sanding, but it’s definitely worth it for better adhesion and results. But if you’re short on time or just don’t want to sand, can you still spray paint laminate without sanding?

The answer is yes. Just make sure to do the same prepping steps, especially priming. And for added durability, using a topcoat can also help. Here’s our sealing painted furniture post to guide you through this step.

We still really recommend that you don’t skip sanding your laminate furniture, so if you have the time, it’s best to do it. Anyway, we hope this post has been helpful and inspiring for you to give new life to your old laminate pieces with spray paint!

More Spray Painting Furniture Tips

• Can You Spray Paint Particle Board?
• Can I Spray Paint IKEA Furniture
• How To Spray Paint Bamboo Barstools
• How to Get Spray Paint Off Wood
• Best Spray Paint Primer for Wood

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