BEST Primer for Laminate Furniture | Without Sanding VS Sanding | How to Paint Laminate Furniture

What is the BEST primer for laminate furniture? Do you have to sand the laminate, or can you get away with painting laminate without sanding?
This week I tested 4 different primers on laminate (Shellac Based Primers VS Water Based Primers) to see which one(s) came out on top.
I took it a few steps further by testing how they worked with sanded and not sanded laminate, AND I painted latex paint and chalk paint samples over each to see how durable each paint and primer combo was.
🌟Supply List: Scroll down this description for the full supply list. 🌟
|What to Expect|
0:01 Is priming and sanding necessary??
0:29 Cleaning the laminate
0:50 Sanding half of the laminate
2:01 Taping off the sections
2:38 The Primers
4:49 Dry Times
5:51 No Primer Scratch Test
6:24 BIN Shellac Based Primer Scratch Test
7:09 Clear Shellac Scratch Test
7:35 Bullseye 123 Primer Scratch Test
8:06 Country Chic Paint Clear Bonding Primer Scratch Test
8:27 Scraper Test
9:07 Best Primer and Not Sanding Results
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|Related Videos and Blogs|
Painting a Laminate IKEA Desk Video: • Painting IKEA Furnitur...
Check out how I painted this laminated top desk with chalk paint: • Desk Makeover | 3 Minu...
Painting Laminate Furniture with Heirloom Traditions Paint: • Painting Laminate Furn...
Watch how I painted this laminated dresser pink: • BB Frosch Paint Transf...
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❤️ ❤️Confused by all of the steps??
Download our FREE painting checklist and transform your furniture as if you hired a professional to paint it. arayofsunlight... ❤️ ❤️
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**As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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|Supplies Used|
• BIN Shellac Based Primer: amzn.to/3qFkTkP
• Clear Shellac Primer: amzn.to/2LLvaxf
• Bullseye 123 Primer: amzn.to/2KEzrBW
• 3M Sandpaper (My fav!): amzn.to/39XfHlu
• Krud Kutter: amzn.to/3bXPPbW
• Country Chic Paint Primer: bit.ly/CCP-clea...
• Chalk Paint: bit.ly/ccp-chal...
*Use code RAYOFSUN10 for 10% off your Country Chic Paint order
**This video may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I also earn from qualifying purchases through other companies, or may receive free products. This does not cost you anything extra! All opinions are my own.
*** CREATE AT YOUR OWN RISK! All content on this blog was created for inspiration and entertainment purposes. Creating anything with the suggested tools, products or methods, is under your own risk!
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[@ARayofSunlight]

❤ ❤Confused by all of the steps?? Download our FREE painting checklist and transform your furniture as if you hired a professional to paint it. arayofsunlight.com/checklists-yt/ ❤ ❤

[@vintagelvr4381]

After ALL the confusing videos I've watched, yours FINALLY answered all my questions and hesitation. Excellent tutorial and you saved me so much time! Now I can confidently sand laminate, use BIN shellac primer, then chalk paint. Done. Thanks a million.

[@ARayofSunlight]

Happy it helped!

[@johannaholmgren8088]

Specifically came here to see which is the best option. I just painted two night tables with chalk paint (sanded, no primer) and they are just for my use anyway....and I was really impressed with how well the paint adheres and stands up. BUT considering how much work goes into painting any piece of furniture, I wanted to be sure that it's not going to be wasted because I should've done something. I'm now at the point of repainting furniture I painted about 25 years ago (latex, no sanding, no primer, over wood) which stood up amazingly well but is not the best looking. (But I was learning). This was a great video, thanks so much.

[@onespaceatatime7771]

You are the FIRST person to really break this down. I have been looking for the best paint/primer to use on my kitchen cabinets. Thank you! ❤️

[@jeanaandreatta949]

I’m prepping to paint my kitchen cabinets, too and I had the same question. Am I correct in assuming that the shellac primer will be good on sanded natural oak (not laminate)?

[@mikebetts2046]

This was a nicely done comparison. I agree (and would have guess ahead of time) that the shellac based products would stick the best. I have lots of experience using both clear shellac and the BIN. Shellac is a very 'sticky' molecule and is often used as a tie-coat to allow two otherwise incompatible finishes to be applied to a surface.

[@rockshot100]

She did a great job, and these are the results I expected. I was not convinced that the chalk paint stuck so well, but it does. The downside is, it is very expensive and for surfaces that get a lot of use, like kitchen cabinets, desk tops, etc., I doubt it will clean up very well. It is flatter than flat or matte and seems like it invites grease and general dirt. Personally I would use a much coarser sandpaper and a sanding block (scrap 2x4) to really get some grooves into the laminate. BTW, I did not know that clear shellac existed. Somebody told me to never worry about getting the white shellac to look good, only make sure that it is covered.

[@AngieWy]

Best, most extensive review I've seen. I will be painting my old laminate kitchen cabinets soon. Thank you!

[@patwilliams800]

Yes, agreed, thank you so much! You've saved us all so much time & money with your really helpful research. 🌞

[@rockshot100]

Hey me too! My cabinets are getting sanded and primed, but I think I will go with the latex over the Killz original, because chalk paint is just too matte and I don't know how hard it will be to clean them. Of anything, kitchen cabinets really get greasy and dirty. I like a lot of light in the kitchen so splashes and dirty fingermarks really show.

[@queenofqwerty]

@@rockshot100 prolly too late for your project but you can put varnish over the chalkpaint for kitchen cabinets. I use old master's brand armor. I have this product on chalk-painted hardwood floors for a year. It's amazing. Easy water cleanup ... but bad fumes. You can buy it in gloss or satin. Getting ready to repaint the kitchen cabinets and use old masters instead of that stupid wax that doesn't hold up for kitchen use. good luck!

[@mirandamom1346]

@@rockshot100 Are you willing to update us on how this went?

[@rockshot100]

@@queenofqwerty Thanks

[@me-tq7zt]

Most latex paint needs at least 7 days to fully cure. Before it cures even just setting something on it can make it peel up as it sticks to the object. I'd love to see this comparison done using adequate cure time for latex paint.

[@amandamartin9653]

Someone has to be a negative Nancy lol

[@MearnieToon]

@@amandamartin9653 oh I’m sorry r u one of those persons who doesn’t like the truth or a suggest or a non rude comment? Oh Amanda you silly goose

[@coastchickheatherjordan4891]

I have to tell you. I have been flipping for 5 years. I learned so much from your video. This was great. Thank you again for taking the time and research to do this video.

[@ARayofSunlight]

Yay!! Thank you!!

[@pcg13]

This is phenomenal. The comparisons really make this informative. I appreciate your video, and I'm glad I found your channel!

[@jbwentworthe6082]

Look into a product called "Slik-Stick" not sure of the spelling - a "Dixie Belle" product - no affiliation, just sharing info that may help make things easier.

[@keetauk]

OMG. I think I have read the entire internet trying to answer this question. Hours of research and was still unsure which combination to use. Thanks for this video. Im off to to the hardware store.

[@raymarshall2995]

THANK YOU, that was alot of work you did, and spared us from having to try it ourselves.

[@Swtorista]

Awesome video thanks so much. Loved seeing the tests and your results.

[@michaelredfearn9125]

Hi Christina. Would you put a non glossy varnish over there chalk paint and if so, what base would it be? Thank you

[@GadgetsGearCoffee]

AMAZING!!! Thank you for this! I got STIX primer based on the recommendations from the local hardware store because they said it would be good low VOC but I looked and it's not low VOC. I have IKEA furniture I sanded down a bit the melamine with 150 grit, had an N99 mask on, tried to keep things as clean as possible but the dust still did go around, I'm working indoors and I'm at home a lot so I want to go with low VOC. So even though the BIN is the best and I see it scratching a little on the sanded side of your test, I think that's the route I'll go and just be careful I suppose.

[@voyageur767]

Thanks for making the comparison tutorial and helping the community. The prices are going up and I hope this video will help people in choosing the right product in first place.

[@marywiklander-williams6493]

excellant. I live in Belgium and finding shellac for furniture isn't easy. BUT, I can buy the Zinser 1.2.3. so am thrilled you used it in your test.

[@ARayofSunlight]

Best of luck!

[@kathleencoronado4573]

I am new to painting furniture for my new home and this was so helpful! Thank you for taking the time to make this video and share your results 🥰

[@brianmcvicker829]

Really well done. You got to the point with no fluff. Super helpful for busy people! You rock!

[@ARayofSunlight]

Glad you liked it!!

[@vera4799]

I'm just starting out, had just the basics down but this is very helpful. Saved me some money. Thank you.

[@RosenlundTara]

Thank you!! I've been wondering this but didn't want to spend the money to figure it out, in hindsight pry would have been a good idea to just figure it out before purchasing 1 gal buckets of latex paint..

[@ElectricIguana]

I did a very similar test for myself and included Zinsser Cover Stain vs. Zinsser Shellac primers. Un-sanded I saw similar results from the two when used on laminated cabinets.

[@wendydevereaux4282]

Thank you for this thorough content. Have you tried the spray shellac on vertical surfaces and does it run or streak?

[@susannyloves]

Just the information needed as I’m going to be painting two laminate bookcases. Great instructional video! Thanks!

[@BellaBranchDIY]

This was such an awesome and thorough tutorial! Super helpful!

[@gageirwin7206]

After you put on shilac you can scuff sand again for better adhesion

[@Millasoaps]

Great video! I painted a few wood pieces at home and my bathroom vanities are such a disappointment for me. I was in a rush and not knowledgeable and used the 123 on them with cabinet paint. They peel. I used liquid sandpaper. Oh, these were 80s oak cabinets that should’ve been sanded. My plan someday is to just get new doors and drawer fronts for my vanity, strip the paint off and use shellac. They are totally fine for now because I touch them up and then they look brand new. If I had used Sherwin Williams emerald urethane paint with a good cure, that would’ve been better. I have a dresser with that and it’s solid.

[@Yourbodysretreat]

What is the best tool to use with painting on the Bin Shellac primer for laminate furniture, like an Ikea desk? Foam roller or bristle brush? Also, I've been trying to find examples of someone using lime wash glaze over color painted pieces. I have the Valspar lime wash glaze. What would be the biggest difference between using the lime wash glaze or white wash? I'm overthinking I believe.

[@ARayofSunlight]

Yes, this method is for furniture like an ikea desk. You can use either a roller or a brush, whatever you prefer. As for the liming wash or white wash, they are the same thing. I haven’t personally used them over paint, but I’m sure someone has! Best of luck!!

[@rolfbjorn9937]

The day Zinsser and Killz products were presented to me, especially BIN Shellac is a point of no return. It sticks to almost everything, including a greasy, cracked wall behind a stove with a crappy exhaust hood. No amount of degreasing and sanding then priming with oil base then mud then primer and then painting would stick, everything peeled right off. The gray heads in the hardware store blamed my technique, their products and recommendations were fine. Then KZbin proposed killz and BIN and I tried it, and never went back, it's part of every single drywall repair or priming task where a clear coat is not required. Had not tried on laminate tops yet, your video is evidence I can trust my friend BIN.

[@Little_Sidhe]

Is it dangerous to use around children and pets?

[@kc4463]

Excellent video! So informative! Helped me decide how to paint my IKEA MALM bed.

[@joeyjones3603]

This is not a good review I paint for a living and your fingernails are harder than any pain or primer and naturally any of those are going to scratch off if you scratch it hard enough.

[@diamondsandlipgloss]

lesson..always sand & either use shellac based primer and chalk paint...or use chalk paint for all other primers

[@Yenny-1014]

I got that nails on a chalkboard goosebumps feeling when you started to scratch the paint😅. Thank you so much, your video helped me so much🤗

[@nathanammon9082]

That latex paint that you use isnt very good. Ben Moore would have held up better. You are correct though, chalk paint is tougher. I like Ben Moore Advance paint as well. Long cure and recoat time but gives you a sprayed finished look.

[@blacksheephouse]

Fantastic video! So helpful 😅

[@blaizeatri]

Question wouldn’t the sample be less durable compared to the actual tiered paint? Like Valspar sample vs valspar reserve paint.

[@ARayofSunlight]

That’s possible!

[@alister1394]

You can take the CCP to a some strictly paint retailer's. And put it in a spray can for aerosol use. Seymour is the vendor for this. They should have both for solvent and for latex products. About 10-12 dollars a can. One tip ...life span is about 30 days. Hope this helps

[@kartikab1376]

You are definitely "A ray of sunlight" for me. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@tcolgan12]

Use command or advance from ben moore. Way better paint then what you were using.

[@markb9051]

You should wait a month before test latex paint. It takes that long to fully harden.

[@startreker8591]

To a beginner painter you talked a lot❤😂🎉 but for me …ty

[@deandu1192]

Really helpful and comprehensive review!

[@AlexNishikawa206]

This was the scientific research I was looking for

[@melissal7984]

This in depth review was amazing! Thank-you so much for doing this- New Subscriber!

[@ARayofSunlight]

Thanks for the sub!

[@JulieAshleyLouisiana]

Thank you for doing this test and review! You really showed me which products would hold up for my projects!

[@ARayofSunlight]

So glad it helped you!

[@shure46]

Bullseye 123 is lying when it says "sticks to all surfaces no sanding" (it will bond , but takes a month to fully bond), you are right to be skeptical , and most of those water based primers do not hold up to that labeling ..... Kelly Moore KelBond is probably the best , but it doesn't brush well , it sticks well , but brushing it sucks really , not user friendly ..... I have found THEE BEST water based bonding primer , hands down .... going to make a video on it soon , I just discovered this , it's a game changer ..... sticks ALMOST as well as BIN , water based , you definitely will not scratch it off with a fingernail .... and truly NO SANDING

[@GadgetsGearCoffee]

what is the water based primer you found

[@shure46]

@@GadgetsGearCoffee PPG Breakthrough Satin , but it's not a primer , it's a paint , but it sticks like crazy and can be used as a primer , HOWEVER , it's expensive as hell .... Kelly Moore Kel Bond is half the price and works pretty well .... all the others are okay for general use , they aren't terrible really , and the Zinsser 123 ain't bad .... but that PPG BReathrough will stick to ceramic tile like a mutha !!!!! Takes a while to FULLY Bond , but it BONDS .... in just a few days it's stick quite well ....

[@janehitt646]

OK I'm not doing furniture, but laminated room doors, five in total. I will not be removing the doors seeing as I am working alone. I'm a 71 year old woman who is not as strong, for some reason, as I used to be. I have nowhere else to go so fumes are a concern. Sanding is also a concern with no way to block off the dust from the rest of the house. This also eliminates spraying. I will be painting latex over these. The Bullseye 123 sounds like my best bet. Any suggestions?

[@GadgetsGearCoffee]

following

[@ChristinaMuscari]

Wow! Can’t wait!

[@frenchlinenfurniture6366]

Brilliant.. thanks for the video 👌

[@JTP1967]

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's hard to find a review on primers to use when it comes to painting laminates. I had been watching videos off and on searching. Then I came across this video, and lo and behold, you answered ALL my questions in one simple video. EXCELLENT JOB!! You really need to be given LOTS of CREDIT for this video. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU.

[@ARayofSunlight]

Oh wow! Thank you so much! Glad it helped!

[@JTP1967]

@@ARayofSunlight I took your advice on primers, painted some old laminate cabinets and they came out excellent. Used the Shellac primer, no peeling, great adhesion

[@ARayofSunlight]

That’s so good to hear!

[@Adriana-vp1rm]

I love fumes. Very nice smell.

[@queenofqwerty]

Thank you for this!!! You are genius!!! Ugly kitchen cabinets brought me here. You are a ray of hope amidst all the stupid videos of idiot ppl doing hinky stuff that won't work.. Do you have a video on Benjamin Moore Advance paint? Curious about that. If it's better than chalk paint. Hmmm.

[@arunprakashkumarakrishnan4741]

BIN is shellac based too

[@elmermunoz3780]

And cover stain?

[@jesgreen]

So greatful for ur video. What sealer do you recommend? Ty

[@ARayofSunlight]

Check out our blog post you might find helpful! arayofsunlight.com/what-to-use-to-seal-wood-before-painting/

[@geyj1]

I'm very confused!!!!!!!!

[@RoyalTutorial]

Hello KZbin I am trying to paint my sofa legs what do you guys recommend?

[@ARayofSunlight]

What look are you going for? And what are the legs made of?

[@coastchickheatherjordan4891]

This was a great video! I have been fighting the battles of primer. I am a furniture flipper and would hate to get a return because of scratches. Thank you!

[@ARayofSunlight]

Thank you!!! I totally agree about the returns!!

[@leeriches8841]

Hello 😅👋I’m wondering if you could help me, I loved your video and made so much sense. I’ve ordered a full pax wardrobe and I’ve gone with a grey and gold theme for my bedroom, so I’ll be doing the same with the wardrobe, would this method do great for painting the frames and doors of the pax wardrobe I assume? Well everything as I'll be covering everything that's white. I’m not sure we’re I’ll be adding any gold yet or where what should go where with what colours, but definitely some gold on the inside with grey colours, so I’ll definitely get the bin shellac primer for everything. I’m still stuck with what type of paint to get? I saw you used a lot of chalk paint, is that what I should go for, other videos say water based paint is okay, but your video seemed to make so much sense. Also I’d need a lot of paint I think for a 236cm height by 200cm width wardrobe. I’m still looking for inspiration for how to bring the grey and gold together but the main thing is just the method of painting to give it that perfect finish you had in the video, to make it easier I was gonna do the painting before I build the wardrobe, so I’ve just got a peace to work on at a time and not a whole wardrobe painting at awkward angles etc haha. Also to add I haven’t bought any painting products yet, that’s we’re I’m stuck. The primer you suggested sounds promising! So I'll get that for sure. Thanks for your videos and thanks for your time 😇🙏.

[@michellewines6354]

Hi, I have watched this several times. I want to refinish my dresser and nightstand that are laminate but my nightstand has a lot of the finish warn off on the top of it and about 1/3 of it. Can it still primer and chalk paint them successfully? Thx!

[@thelifeofrylee263]

Thank you !! Because of this video I went back to the hardware store and changed my primer and this is working amazingly

[@virginiaalfaro6186]

Which one did you switch to??

[@thelifeofrylee263]

@virginiaalfaro6186 the BIN can with red label

[@Stevesbe]

Water based= sucks

[@shericreates]

Thank you so much. I am painting a laminate bookshelf for a friend. She wants me to use her latex paint left over from her walls. Well, I sanded the boards and she didn’t have any primer and told me to just paint. Yeah right! Exactly what I thought. The paint came off in sheets of latex. So I’m starting over doing it right. I have remanded all the boards and ready for primer. I have Valspar professional bonding primer I was going to try but after watching you I think I’ll run over and get some shellac based. Thanks so much!

[@keyboardtek]

We had a pro reface our kitchen cabinets. He made new doors. But the paint he used was some self leveling paint made just for kitchen cabinets. It took 24 hours to completely cure and stunk really bad. But it dried with zero brush strokes or roller speckle. It dried super hard and accidental dings do not even leave a scratch. Any idea what brand it might have been? Seems that would be ideal for furniture.

[@prakkari]

Latex paint needs about a month to fully cure. The higher the gloss the better strength.

[@ARayofSunlight]

Most paint needs about a month to cure. But I’ve tested it many times, letting latex (or any) paint dry for 30 days doesn’t mean it’s going to stick or be durable.

[@selah2911]

thank you so much for this scratch test! incredibly helpful. I'd probably go fo Shellac if it wasn't 14 degrees and windy outside! It's really good to know that the waterbase primer can hold up with sanding.

[@sheripalmer3192]

Wow! Thank you so much! Wonderful presentation and demonstration. So very helpful!

[@gailremp8389]

😀This reminds me of Sonya Miller and Matt up in Pennsylvania with Junk Monkey Paint Company. Oh my God the chalk paint colors if they make are phenomenal. And they go along way. And they also make something called milk paint that can go over a shiny piece of furniture and go out chippy. So I'm interested in this for something with keep the Near doors that are in my house. Thx

[@Luka1180]

B-I-N by Zinsser ;)

[@breakingbadheisenberg9703]

Fantastic! Been looking for a video to show me what's the best primer to use on my dresser i have been planning to chalk paint . Thank you so much for posting. You have a new subscribe.

[@zonyasvintage7859]

Thank you thank you thank you! I can’t tell you how much the vide helped in my decision for primer products!

[@M2theOE]

I just painted my first laminate furniture with shellac primer and chalk paint. Turns out, I'm not a fan of the color and will repaint. Do I need to prime again before painting again?

[@lscheckel9683]

Thank you for sharing. I am inspired by your projects.

[@LetsExplore307]

Thanks to you I have my answer of which primer I need to buy for my ikea furniture makeover

[@robertmorales4051]

Thank you for this video I just confirmed what I was doing to my floors. Wish me luck

[@swapnabhaskaruni]

I did very light sanding and applied water based primer on a laminate piece but after watching this video I would like to know if I can go ahead and apply a coat of shellac based primer on top of water based primer just to be safe or is it not needed. Please let me Know

[@charitycoleman2964]

Thank you for this. I've watched so many videos before this one and made myself so confused..thank you thank you thank you for making it easy to make a decision

[@TheHellooitsmee]

Do you know if you can put the BIN primer in a paint sprayer?

[@ARayofSunlight]

It depends on the sprayer. It has a low flash point so it can more easily combust.

[@thechallengedwoodworker5283]

Nice comparison Almost any primer if not sanded in between coats and at least 2 coats of primer will scratch off. Not only does surface need to be sanded but the primer as well in between coats with 2 coats being optimum before your layer or layers of paint.

[@sonwasup]

Get away without sanding, yes. Get away without cleaning, no. Edit, good test btw

[@NolBrenda79]

Thank you for your time and this information 🙏 I'm beginning and I need this information

[@cv3559]

To complete this test properly for all of us, please do another test where you sand the primer once it is dry before applying the final coat. Some of these primers gum up that are not solvent based. I would love to see how the 123 sands up after it drys or if it gums up the sandpaper

[@Lynderella]

Would any chalk paint (like rustoleum) have the same results as the chalk brand you used?

[@ceciliasug6050]

this was an AMAZING video!!! thank you!!!

[@episEMter]

yay thank you. . i think the reason you had extra bad results with the latex paint is because it's a sample. sample paint is just meant to get color ideas, not to hold up to any sort of stress tests.

[@Kingsley4K]

Finally a video using a clear scientific method for testing

[@echavez397]

How long can you leave the BIN primer unpainted? I primed my table with this stuff but life happened and I wasn’t able to paint on the top coat. Can you advise. I’ve looked everywhere and I can’t find the info. Thanks in advance.

[@ARayofSunlight]

Have you reached out to the company to ask? They should know.

[@ambrosedugas6959]

Really helpful video thank you SO much

[@josecordova7738]

Si

[@ketahodgson8637]

Thank you. What product(s) would you use as a topcoat?

[@valeriejones1292]

Which bin shellac. I went to local hardware and there were 4 different kinds.

[@lyndagrillo7010]

I'm about to stencil my kitchen laminate table top . It'll be my first time ! I think I can do it after watching your video. Thank you!!

[@phillipremondini5617]

This was an amazing video. I rarely comment on videos and even more rarely says that the video was good but, this my friend was very very helpful. Two thumbs up!

[@ARayofSunlight]

Wow, thank you!

[@MyProjectWeekend]

Nice test! I have a toddler and it would have been funny to see how the paint holds up to toys and other items being thrown at them! haha. Seriously thanks for the in depth video.

[@ARayofSunlight]

Hahaha! That would have been great!

[@ingridsorensen9898]

Thankyou sooo much for this research!!! And you are very clear and easy to understand 🙂

[@aninasalerno873]

Thanks for doing this! I am planning to paint my laminate guest room furniture. This saved me considerable time and aggravation.

[@cleosmom7]

Thank you for this video it was so helpful!

[@justsaybobby]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@noradaly1]

Thank you for doing comparisons ❤️

[@delondadelony462]

Thank you thank you thank you ! This was a really great and informative video. I have always wondered about what works best, when it comes to sanding and what Primer to use.

[@BOSWAHANA81]

thank you for sharing your experiment, it helps me a lot..

[@isabelleaguilar1207]

This was very helpful! Thank you!!!