How Do I Paint Melamine? DIY Tips!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Links to some of the products I'm using here: gosforthhandyman.com/how-do-you-paint-melamine/ 👍

[@kayakdog121]

"melamine is the work of the devil" lol. Agreed. Try keeping some holy water nearby to sprinkle about occasionally.

[@a.baillio2188]

"The devil's own"

[@rubygoldrestyledfurniture1937]

😂😂

[@kylosolo8815]

😂😂

[@dianewalsh29]

🤣😂🤣

[@storegga]

Put a layers of lacquer or clear on top to protect the colour. Cures nice and hard and adhesion is great. Hard to chip.

[@ariescustom]

Very pleasing watching that first topcoat going on.

[@LouiseT2405]

Is this something i could do to Ikea furniture? Want to buy a chest of drawers that only comes in boring colours (i know, Ikea... but i’m skint and its our first home 😂)

[@michellekrause6329]

I am an artist and paint a lot of different mediums. I must admit painting melamine was a bit daunting. Thanks to your video I was able to tackle it. I had a heck of a time with those darn bubbles! Then I remembered to get them out of my canvases I hit it with a heat gun to pop the bubbles. I tried it on the melamine and it worked like a charm! If you don't have a heat gun a hair dryer works well too.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Great tip! 👍

[@NineEyedOracle]

I'm also here because I'm an artist looking to get the best cheap but decent quality board to paint on :P Michelle would you recommend MDF or Malamine? Do you paint in oils or acrylics? I'm oils, personally. Thanks :D

[@kristoffscuba5466]

Top info. I painted my oak effect vinyl wrapped chipboard fitted wardrobes based on your suggestions. Johnstone’s primer, Leyland acrylic primer undercoat and Leyland acrylic eggshell top coat. All watered down 6 parts paint to 1 part water and sprayed with my budget lvmp gun and small compressor. Came out perfect. 👍

[@michaeledwards7105]

I want to try something similar so thanks for your comment. Helps to know someone’s done it successfully

[@kristoffscuba5466]

@@michaeledwards7105 worked great for me, factory finish. Just lots of boring sanding with p240 to key the surface beforehand... tedious but seemed to make all the difference.

[@deanreynolds2027]

High build car primer is excellent, Also had good results with pound land auto primer grey,As for colour iv had good results mixing emulsion and acrylic floor varnish together 70/30 then second coat 60/40 or 50/50

[@melm2740]

Would it be okay for melamine kitchen cupboards🤔

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Great video mate. About to give my kitchen cabinets a go, this was exactly what I was looking for!

[@GosforthHandyman]

No worries - best of luck! 👍

[@jhufkiejody472]

Can i use roof paint for cabinets??? I used it on other wood and it gave me a nice mat finish

[@stelas9307]

I am about to also paint my kitchen cabinets as well, after researching and sitting on it for months. How did your project go? Any tips? Thank you

[@lowesjoinery3031]

Id like to a scratch test... on the primed surface... as there is special paint thats designed for melamine door/materials... great video mate

[@GosforthHandyman]

The acrylic primer seems pretty solid but yes, the Johnstone's I mentioned in the vid is specifically designed for melamine and problem surfaces - link here: bit.ly/ghm-johnstones-advmulti-primer

[@David-bl1bt]

I revitalised 2 hanging wardrobes that were a very dated mahogany finish, my partner was going to through them out and buy new modern grey replacements. Instead of the labourous painting, I "wrapped" them with a adhesive backed vinyl (on a roll). Both wardrobes done in a day, with no messy paints to contend with, no brushes/ rollers to wash, no worry about the finished result as they turned out perfect! My partner couldn't believe the transformation. The product was called dc-fix ( here in the UK), I think fablon is another trade name of similar stuff. Prep- just degrease with white vinegar, rinse with water & dry. Apply,- cut vinyl to a couple of inches bigger all around. Start unrolling a few inches at a time from one end to the other, squeegee ing along the way using a purpose "wrapping" tool ( cheap on eBay) or you could use a credit card, ensuring air bubbles are chased out as you go along. When the face is done fold over edges. Trim along edges with a Stanley blade... Job done. If you take care, and the original cupboard face was in good condition the finish is indistinguishable from new. The cost- less than 50 quid for the 2 wardrobes. Stand back and admire your new upcycled cupboard.

[@renestevenson8119]

Absorbtif - so cute! Super helpful video. Thank you

[@MynxieOnSpoutible]

Premier Active has a Melamine Paint & Primer in one that is a dream to use. I got a gallon of their Base 3 and had it tinted to black. LOVE it!!

[@sumarianson]

My brother who is a master carpenter and shipbuilder taught me a trick with sawing melamine. It is to run a Stanley knife across the cut line several times using a metal rule as a guide and make sure it is well clamped.

[@paigeb1318]

Thanks for that tip! :)

[@davidswan7025]

That works cracking so much less chips.

[@oskarsmillers]

And masking tape on cutting line helps a bit too. At least on veneered surface works pretty well. In stores cutting service we had format saw table. With 2 discs, small precut and lot teeth big one. Regular sharpening discs of course , expecially after plywood or osb cutting. If possible, for melamine sheets or chipboard worktop, seperate disc.

[@alexthomson7465]

I used V33 kitchen cupboard paint. No primer needed. Sanded the doors a bit, 2 coats. Jobs a goodun. highly recommended

[@hansdegroot8549]

Great video and very useful tips! Thanks for sharing. Unfortunetely, I needed this about 6 weeks ago. For the first time in my life I had to change the color of a piece of melamine. (normally I would have bought that melamine in the color I needed but that was not worth the trouble for a piece of 40 by 15 cm. I started as you did, sanding. But I did not sand it manually. I have an angle grinder with a sanding-disk-add-on-thingy and that I used. I only underestimated the strength of it. In no-time the whole melamine layer was gone. That was good because now I had classical chipboard which absorbs paint very easily. The big down-side was that I did it in my workshop. So I had Christmas in June. Everything and everywhere were white particles of melamine.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Oh my word! Lol... the white dust is horrible stuff too - hope you got sorted Hans! 🛠😀

[@markrowland5393]

Great video, thanks. Couple of comments. If you know you want a specific colour, probably better to use mdf, not mfc. When cutting mfc with a table saw, use a scoring cut first to avoid chipping. There are several KZbin videos on this. If you don't have a table saw you can cut mfc with a jigsaw and then finish with a router and hand sanding. This is what I do but I wouldn't recommend it as it is incredibly labour intensive.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yes, defo - don't buy new MFC only to paint it - MDF is a much better option! :-)

[@portnaluinge]

Great video with some really handy tips as usual. I am going to be ‘that guy’ though and point out that you’ve got the Union flag in the background hanging upside down. 🇬🇧😉

[@GosforthHandyman]

Ian Phillip ha ha - see reply to Zero Company 👍😂

[@LightGesture]

Not sure how it is upside down... Not my flash, so I can't tell. It's symmetrical.....

[@beverlymcfarlane8681]

@@LightGesture When it is the right way up the broad diagonal stripe on the upper left side is uppermost.

[@whitedoggarage]

Great video Andy, thanks. I alwways enjoy your take on things 👍👍👍. Melamine is a nightmare to work with, agreed. Here in Oz I have used a paint called 'B.I.N Primer Sealer' made by Zinsser as a first coat on melamine. The name sounds European in origin so might be available in Britain, but equally could be American (lot of European migrants set up successful business there, we just got the British criminal class 😐). Based on shellac with additional herbs and spices and is not water based, but clean up is with methylated spirits (ethanol with an additive to stop you drinking it).

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers bud! I've heard good things about Zinsser but I'm pretty much done with oil-based paints these days. 👍😀

[@andrewroberts6158]

I do love you videos you take time to explain it thoroughly, just remember though paint is well ……..paint

[@GosforthHandyman]

😂😀

[@kenbar4761]

Use Zinsser BIN as a basecoat on Melamine, much easier and much better adhesion straight away, it is an amazing paint.

[@FruitfulForest77]

Using the Zinsser Bin, then painting matte black over white... would you guys trust this finish for an outfeed/ assembly table top finish?

[@kenbar4761]

@@FruitfulForest77 I'm not sure what function this outfeed/assembly table serves so can't really comment, and even though the Zinsser is very hard wearing, it would depend on the kind of paint you're using for your matte black top coat.

[@w11granny72]

Very well explained. I am grateful for your video. It helped me a lot. Thank you.

[@chameliarts6210]

As for your tip... how about Zinsser Bin shellac-based primer?

[@diywooddesign1548]

Thanks for the tips.. the results were great! Keep up the good work 😁

[@GosforthHandyman]

Very Amateur Woodworker no worries 🛠👍👊

[@sharkyash1]

Which kind of roller would you recommend as best for it as seen different recommendations about a latex etc?

[@cindyharrison4191]

Just made a tool box out of scrap melamine and mdf and wood. Your painting tips have saved the day. Thanks

[@kasie680]

I’m going to paint the cupboard doors in our kitchen, the bench top is a latte type color and the cupboard doors are a dark cream yellowy colour and it’s absolutely horrible 🤢, I don’t understand why someone would choose them on purpose lol 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@lea6555]

Here listen to this - my bench top is a darkish dusky pink and the rest of it, including doors, are a foul flesh colour. The handles (plastic C shape, natch,) are the same colour as the benchtop. Why, 90s?why?? Like you I can't imagine why anyone would want this on purpose 😂🤮🤮🤮

[@harrygill6546]

To cut melamine board, use a circular saw with 60T and placed the white side down. Doing this allows both cut edges on the white side to be smooth without chipping. On the opposite dark or top side, only the edge to the right in the direction of cutting will be smooth. (I don't have a table saw; but I guess the same should be true).

[@Synthematix]

Scalpel blade your straight line first and it wont chip

[@ihavenoname6724]

for desks and chairs, basically wherever you need some extra scratch resistance you should use oil-based. Gloss finish. And more layers. 2 layers oil-based primer + 3 oil-based gloss. Just my opinion from experience. Good video 👍

[@Synthematix]

Not anymore, i use dulux waterbased gloss and its even more hardwearing than oil based, also oilbased white paints yellow in as little as 4 months as the oil in the paint rises to the top over time, dulux waterbased gloss has a mirror shine to it and stays white for 10 years+

[@whalehunter3214]

Pro tip, use Zinzzer red as a primer, coat up as before from there.

[@jagman69ful]

Very Informative Mate, going to try it on wor lasses kitchen cupboards, she wants it 1950 style.

[@urbanhomesteadingchannel1813]

Would this process work for kitchen cabinets? I have the old 1980's white melamine cabinets with the wood grain accent edges. I hate them! But they were free and nice but just not my preferred style.

[@janetshaffer423]

New sub here. Thanks for the tips. I am going to be doing new shelves and everything is melamine unless you want to shell out the gold!!!

[@Jfbegood2yourself]

Is it better to cover melamine with good quality contact paper rather than painting it?

[@leelee71]

You sanded while on top a table...so all the bits are on the table now...but ya didnt wipe the table of the bits! LOL

[@carolluvsbags]

Great tips, making painting melamine less scary for a complete novice, thank you GH

[@beatmeater5225]

How would you remove pain from previously painted melamine? We have units that were previously painted but the paint adhesion is poor and is chipping away easily as it doesnt seem to have been prepped properly. Whats a good way to remove paint back down to the bare white melamine so they can repainted / prepped properly The units are built in so cant be removed. Also want to avoid damaging adjacent painted on walls. Cheers

[@beatmeater5225]

Figured it out. I used the blade from manual plane. Was able to scrape the paint off easily without leaving a mark on the melamine.

[@lanahamad1491]

Hi! Thanks for the video. Really well explained! Would appreciate a tip for my project - I also want to paint melamine wardrobe doors. But I was planning to use spray paint, as I need gloss finish and it’s much more even from spray application. What spray primer would you recommend as using a roll on primer defies the object of the spray paint. Many thanks!

[@nicolemitchell446]

Rust oleum makes a spray primer that can be used on plastic.

[@MissManagedAndMore]

Very informative and easy to understand for an absolute novice. I'm thinking of repainting the top part of what I suspect to be a melamine desk but was hoping on doing it in an ombre / shaded style ... is that possible to accomplish if I get the top paints in a few different shades ? Also are you able to "seal in" / varnish it afterward to protect the paintwork?

[@kirstywilson4289]

Would zinsser allcoat be alright for this purpose in my home projects?

[@garrysmythe]

well done mate, another great video, i always feel nice and relaxed when I watch your videos pal, and my wife loves you cos she says I am always in a better mood lol cheers again. Garry from UK

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Garry! 👍😀🍺

[@infiniti2015]

Any tips on fixing chips from cutting on a table saw?

[@CaleyDimmockYouTube]

Awesome how-to video! Thanks so much for putting this together - will be using the steps you've outlined to tackle a project.

[@Synthematix]

Im trying to paint my argos bathroom cabinet (mdf melamine) its an absolute nightmare to work with, practically had to sand off 90% of the wood to even get the primer to cure, its a bitch

[@CAL14AngelsPRO]

Question. So the paint I purchased is made to work well with shelving. That being said it does not require primer. Will it work with just sanding down the melamine? Or should I still apply a coat if primer first?

[@mariatejada9346]

MFC and MDF what is the difference and how to identify it. My mom have some cabinet that look like laminate they are just ugly color. I want to paint it for her but i have no clue how and now i see there is different material that looks the same.

[@dianamollo8156]

Great video! Question: what can i use to varnish it?

[@nicksainsbury7152]

Nice informative video but there is only one primer you can use for melamine. Acid etch primer. Does what it says. Basically melts to any substrate. Guaranteed to stay on forever, available from motor factors or specialist paint suppliers. better still choose melamine the correct colour, there are 100’s to choose from these days. By the way, Unless you are filming in a mirror, the flag is wrong way round. S.O.S call 🤣

[@Grimedon1]

great vid mate! what rollers are you using! give a great finish

[@MrTheomighty1]

Can I use this method on an home active sub woofer box because the box is like an oak/beech effect and it won’t go with the black items I’ve got

[@QMusicUK]

Thank you for this. How do you prep and paint the rough, unfinished edges though?

[@EverGone03]

Hi, are you using a foam roller? Are there different type of foam roller?

[@rrwholloway]

I'm looking to buy a side table that is chipboard wood effect with a melamine resin film. I'd love to stain the wood effect to a darker colour. Is there any way of doing this on a melamine resin film?

[@gaae2000]

So what do I do with my laminade kitchen cabinets?....try painting them with 3-5coats (plus a clear protective coat) so it lasts longer?

[@peckelhaze6934]

The important thing is to make sure the whole surface is sanded to produce a good key. Then make sure it is well cleaned of dust. It is the product from hell.

[@robynconway1286]

Thank you i want to paint melamine linen cupboards. You have given me great advice. I am not scared to start the project now. 🤩

[@joyceking5073]

Mint video first time for painting cupboards. I could just replace the doors but that would be to easy.’

[@glynisr285]

What Dulux paint are you using?

[@dunbardunelm3924]

He says it out loud with his mouth 😂😂

[@glynisr285]

@@dunbardunelm3924 so just say it

[@mbdelcordero1645]

Debating whether to remove the melamine or paint it. If I remove it will I be left with a mess of glue residue? Anyone ever try to strip melamine off the shelve boards instead of painting them? Could this be done with a hot air gun or an iron? Seen many videos on stripping the doors/face of cabinets but have not come across any video where people are stripping the white shelves themselves. Any suggestions are deeply appreciated. Thanks and God bless 🕊️

[@jayneradcliffe2373]

Really really helpful thanks

[@MrXSwiiZ]

Good video. But I have a question. I am a cabinet maker here in the UK, like your good self, and I'm wondering why you are painting mfc and not just get a colour/pattern that matches your needs? Cheers and keep up the good work

[@GosforthHandyman]

CaPa Man this is just for folk who want to change the colour of existing MFC 😀👍

[@oskarsmillers]

Have you tried car paint with laquer on melamine sheets.? Could be more durable surface

[@IrinaSorokinaMyCraft]

Thank you for the tips!! What kind of roller do you recommend to use for the primer and paint itself?

[@histoman4]

Good video, thanks for the advice, I have a kitchen to do. 13 doors !!

[@margaretrees8662]

Mine is 18, but new would be way too expensive 🙄

[@jonathankelly8031]

Can I ask what type of roller you used on the surface?

[@Thelaura18]

I think this is the video I’ve been looking for, we have high gloss kitchen cabinets, and I want to paint them, would they cover the same as in this video? Or do I need to do something else to prep?

[@stelas9307]

How did your project go? I am about to also paint my kitchen cabinets and I've been nervous it would peel off. Any tips? Thanks

[@dan7777]

As long as they're sanded primed and painted with 2 coats they should be fine. You could varnish them also with decorators varnish to protect

[@ab7047]

Looks spot on that

[@scottlewis3896]

What paint did you use . I see it’s Dulux but can’t see what paint to look for . Also will chalk paint work too

[@PaigeBartholomew]

Mine scratches easily. Is he using shellac primer and regular acrylic paint? How do I help it from scratching in kitchen cabinet shelving and interior cabinet walls? Help!

[@superkally]

Really good video, trying to do some research. Sorry if this is a dim Q ... how can I find out whether my wardrobe and dressers are MDF or MFC? Want to not screw this up. 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@ΒαλεριοςΚαβαλικος]

Excellent result. I'm genuinely impressed.

[@jennethuckerby5482]

Have you used Dulux cupboard paint for kitchen cabinets??

[@sumosprojects]

The stuff is crap if you dissect it however it’s the cheapest material to buy & your painting tip is cool, cheers mate 🍻👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

👍🍺😀

[@callumthorsen5474]

Great video thanks mate... just a quick point. Flag is upside down

[@johnfrederickson3082]

ANDY, Do you think one could cover melamine with laminate? Will the contact cement to melamine if sanded with 100 grit?

[@sarahmceathron6697]

Hate these type of cupboards lol this is what I have for cabinets i hate it if I owned i would of already got diff ones but maybe I can paint them lol

[@eamoncrosby2368]

Fantastic video Thanks for sharing your know how.

[@onedayyoumay95]

Can someone please help me?!?! I have a ikea white melamine desk with plastic edges and I want to paint it fresh white. Do I need to buy melamine paint? I want to get that smooth finish again where it doesn’t even look like it’s been painted by a brush. Can I use the behr satin enamel white paint I have right now on it? Or no. And do I sand as well? I don’t mind getting more paint I just need some help. Please and thank you

[@Bayubadu]

Hello, I have huuge library bookcase to paint. Design is great, but it`s built of this .... stuff, except of wooden trim and board, painted and sealed with pu varnish. Did you use enamel paint? Do I have to seal it with lack if used just latex paint over it? Thanks for the video

[@demo5h594]

I want to paint my melamine ceiling is ar9und 20sq i cant find melamine primer in my island

[@gauchogalese]

What would you use to paint discoloured unit carcasses, not the doors.

[@hv1461]

Could you put a clearcoat on top for additional protection and then be suitable in a kitchen cabinet ?

[@bilalayoub7023]

What type of roller did you use to apply the black melamine paint?

[@rafezetter8003]

LOL lifting the speaker and unit comign with it made me laugh - just looked for "painting melamine" and this came up so still relevant :) I get most of my MFC from Ikeas trash bin, made all sorts with it, but this time it's a side of a shelving unit and got holes in I need to fill so I'll have to paint it.. white, the irony!

[@pf0073]

Hi! If I buy a piece of melamine furniture but don’t like the colour and want to change, do I use the same method? I’m guessing a finished furniture will have layers of products and shining stuffs already? How to repaint such furniture??

[@ilik77]

Do you think to use painted melamine for ping pong table is ok or not? Because around my area i couldn't find blue or green color melamine. Thanks

[@GosforthHandyman]

You can but it will wear with time - especially with the abuse a ping pong table would get. 👍

[@croydoncomputermedic]

Hi there after some advice, I have bought a mini bunk-bed for my 7 year old daughter which is a heavy duty type of timber, very shiny like a gloos finish, it isnt MDF, but it is shiny but the rail on bed guard has some teeth marks along it, from the previous child using it, and the legs have some marks on it too and dents, What would you suggest to repair this as i was thinking to sand it down a little along the rail and then just gloss it, Then i heard it is Melamine so a melamine paint is required to paint. What would you suggest please???

[@rebeccabell1994]

Gosforth a name or place in cumbria? I'm from whitehaven 😂🤔

[@GosforthHandyman]

Ah! Different Gosforth - near Newcastle. Been to the Cumbria one though! 👍

[@emilyrosetillman]

Which paint colour is this??? Also I'm based in the North East - if someone wanted to get in touch with you regarding work how would you do it?? Thanks

[@melbert3795]

Can I use hammerite paint for kitchen worktops? I dribbled some on my bench and can't get the mark off so thought I would just paint the whole lot.

[@TrudiMercury]

My office desk is melanine; functional but chipped and old!! Is there anyway to finish this with the same white color (in a glossy finish)????

[@bradleygordon6806]

Awesome video mate. My current kitchen is melamine. So 100grit, acrylic primer, then paint?

[@johncarton8810]

I am getting my kitchen resprayed iv got a few quotes, it's a solid oak with melamine interior one guy says he sprays melamine too, I didn't think it would be a good idea, your video helped, don't think I'll be getting that guy, thanks

[@northernmunkey1]

Can you paint a laminate fire surround using the same process?

[@jbailey13]

I have melamine kitchen cupboards. We are redoing the kitchen. Can I use the old cupboards and shelves to make closet shelving?

[@CP1900PC]

After watching this video, I finally decided not to paint my cupboards that I bought a few days ago. 😂

[@jobot86]

Hi, I have no idea what melamine is. I came here to see if I could paint a plastic fire surround and this video popped up! Just round the corner from you in Sunderland! Anyway, really need some advice if this can be done. I moved into a house that has a cream plastic fire surround and I wondered if I could paint it white? Or am I just going to cause a mess? Thanks!

[@michelleramlal926]

Hi. I cannot afford to replace my kitchen cabinets which unfortunately Melamine. Will be painting them as you suggested but there are corners that have chipped away that I would like to fill. What would you recommend to fill that area up before I paint it?

[@andrewschannel3635]

Wood glue mixed with saw dust

[@cornchips007]

I'm needing to do this too. Would the wood glue stick well to the melamine layer ontop of the chipboard that's next to the holes and gaps I'm filling?

[@ura617]

Hello, is it easier/cheaper to paint on a melamine mdf or just mdf? I just want to make it glossy looking at the end, so either will work?

[@sudhirsingh-sx8lo]

ive sprayed melamine with 2k gloss. no nightmare at all

[@anniejones5204]

I could watch him.all day 😜