Painting Wood Veneer Cabinets

Only paint in a well ventilated area.

Painting wood veneer cabinets.

Wood cabinets are ideal for painting but any surface that can be scuffed with sandpaper can be painted. Unlike solid wood wood veneer is delicately thin and can be easily chipped and damaged if subject to aggressive sanding and stripping so extra care is required in refinishing a wood veneer piece. If you are painting a veneer wood piece of furniture i recommend the method outlined in my original cabinet painting post. The veneer gives the surface a better appearance and makes it look like solid wood.

Choose a high quality paint. The key is prepping it correctly and using the right primer. The dos and don ts of painting laminate cabinets prime your laminate cabinets for the perfect paint job with these tips for surface preparation paint selection and application. Apply paint to the veneer evenly using smooth strokes and always follow the grain of the area.

Paint the cabinet areas and sand. Most veneer surfaces are sealed with polyurethane for a glossy finish and this surface does not accept paint easily. The laminate must be in good condition for best results. Veneered wood is a similar concept but instead of a plastic layer on top of plywood it has a very thin layer of actual wood called a veneer.

On alternative home improvement projects gloss is sanded off for better paint adhesion. Laminate cabinets require a special bonding primer. Allow the first. Special cabinet paints are available that provide a smooth finish but any high quality paint should work.

Wood veneer is created when very thin slices of wood usually less than 1 8 inch thick are glued on to wood panels or particle board. Painting wood veneer is not hard. Painting or staining wood veneer on furniture or cabinets is a great way to change the color to suit your home decor. When painting or priming always wear protective safety gear to avoid skin contact and inhalation.