Painting Laminate or Formica Tops of Dressers

Welcome to The Purple Painted Lady™!

I am often asked- can you paint Formica or laminate?

Yes- I have painted Formica top dressers many times.

My favorite bedroom pieces to paint are from sets that were in many little girls rooms in the 1960’s and 1970’s. You know the set- the white French Provincial style.

French Provincial Bedroom set

These sets almost always have a Formica top. If you are going to paint a piece like this, please follow these directions.:

CLEAN:

1. Make sure to clean it with either Krud Kutter .   ( more about prepping furniture HERE) then always follow back up with a new rag that is moisten with water to REMOVE and residual cleaner that you used!

 

 

PAINT:

2. Apply your Chalk Paint®:

The most important thing during your first coat of Chalk Paint®- is to thin the paint with water slightly.

Painting formica laminate

Add about 20% water to whatever amount of paint you think you will be using. Then paint your first coat. Apply a uniform coat, and remember to lay your paint in the finish stroke so you have one cohesive – smooth stroke.

Then WAIT!

Wait at least 24 hours…the longer the better. Can you be patient? Wait 2 days – then apply your second coat. There is LOTS of chemistry in paint products and stains.

Union Jack email

That statement applies across the board – no matter what product line you are using.

So, by waiting a day or two- it gives the paint the time it needs to really grip and bear down. Once all done with painting- wax as usual.

Remember the products will continue to cure for about 3 weeks (just like all products do) during this time- use of the piece is fine- but take caution to save the abuse for a month or two down the road.

dresser with just antoinette and stencil

Remember => this wait time is not necessary when painting “normal” wood furniture versus a super slippery surface.

DO I NEED TO SAND?

Some people may recommend that you sand the laminate. I did not sand mine- but if you do- do it in the SAME direction you plan to have brush strokes and use like a 180 grit piece.  Again, I just want to reiterate to NOT sand in a circular motion.

All piece shown in this post were sold to customers over 2 years ago now. Let me know if this helped you!

Old Violet Annie Sloan dresser - Copy

French Gilding Wax Empire Antoinette Dresser

The Purple Painted Lady How to Paint Formica Laminate Pic

 

Visit our Facebook page HERE – we would LOVE to hear from you!

BUY PRODUCT FROM THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY™:

As for buying any of the products we mentioned earlier in this post- I hope that you select The Purple Painted Lady™ to be your one stop resource!
 
Now- let’s be honest- there are many places to buy from- what sets us apart is WHY we are here.
 
And the answer to that question- is that we are here to help you, our customers!  We want you to be successful!  And, just so you know, when you place an order with The Purple Painted Lady:
 
SOME OF THE REASONS OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE BEST:
 
*  If you order before 3pm EASTERN TIME any day Monday thru Friday – we will ship out your package that same day.
*  We ship orders out every since week day all over the US.
*  We offer the lowest flat rate UPS shipping cost so if you are one town away or 10 states away- the shipping cost is the same.
*  We have awesome follow up customer service, too!
 
 
And- it is my paint sales that keep me in business and allow me to be here to help you.  (my shameless but honest plug)    Here is a link to our on-line shop=>   http://shop.thepurplepaintedlady.com/
: )  And I will be here to help you as you progress through your future project!  And if I do say so myself- we offer the BEST customer service that you will ever experience!Lastly- if I was helpful to you- ….please consider leaving a positive review on my Facebook business page sharing your positive experience or thoughts about The Purple Painted Lady.  Here is a link to my Facebook page=>  http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Purple-Painted-Lady/291882785710    This really helps me!  (wink, wink!)
XO
Trish

The Purple Painted Lady™ ~ the serial no. is 86/641,416 with the US Trademark Office

Leave a Reply