How to paint IKEA laminate bookcases?

Wooden furniture is made of solid lumber, and laminated furniture is made of inexpensive composite materials such as fiberboard. To improve the appearance and durability of furniture, manufacturers stick thin sheets of polymer on exposed surfaces. Since only flat surfaces can be laminated, furniture usually has simple lines. Tables and bookcases are often laminated, especially for brands such as IKEA. If your laminate furniture no longer fits your interior, a little paint and elbow grease can give it a new lease of life.

Laminate and paint
Whether it is ordinary, with a wood texture or with a pattern, the laminate layer on your bookcase or other furniture is a material made of melamine, for example, the Formica brand. Plastic laminates are so smooth, smooth and impermeable that ordinary paint does not stick. This does not mean that the laminate cannot be painted, but it does mean that additional steps, special paint or both are required for a successful project.

Grinding
Using an electric sander, it is faster to sand the laminate surface than manually.
Although the laminate is too slippery for the paint to stick to it, the paint holds better if you first make the surface rough. Use medium sandpaper (120-150 grit) to sand the entire surface, including edges and corners. Be careful not to overdo the sanding, as some inexpensive laminated pieces of furniture are covered with a thin layer of vinyl. Wear a respirator during sanding so as not to inhale dust. At the end of the work, thoroughly clean all surfaces with a vacuum cleaner and a rag, wipe everything with a damp cloth and let it dry completely.

Priming and painting
Properly selected paint and primer can change the appearance of your old laminated bookcase.
After removing the scuffs from the surface, prime the laminate in the same way as the wooden surface. The primer you choose will affect the final quality of painting. Several specialized companies produce primer paints designed for plastic and laminate; ask about it at a local hardware or paint shop. Allow the primer to dry completely according to the directions on the label, and then apply a finishing coat of paint compatible with the primer. Allow the finishing layer to dry completely before putting anything on the shelves.

Specialized paints
Depending on your budget and the size of the project, you can skip the stripping and priming steps. Some companies sell paints specially designed for use directly on non-primed laminates and plastics. In addition to paint that is applied with a brush or roller, companies that produce aerosol paints offer formulations designed to cover plastic, although this option may be better for small items than for a large bookcase. king-567.com

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