Painting Particle Board

I want to paint my kitchen cabinets. They are made out of particle board though. The existing paint is coming off now. Can I sand these and then use a primer and paint them? Help please. They look terrible. Thanks.

Kaci2 from Atlanta, GA

Answers:

Painting Particle Board

I had the same type cabinets and doors, too, with just the ugly old brown fake laminate paneling look on top. I got so tired of looking at it that I was willing to change it to anything. I bought some of the spray can speckle paint that looks textured after it dries. I got the hunter green color, because my kitchen is red and the theme is apples and roosters so the green matched well.

I first sanded the surface with a sander which removed most of the fake laminated paneling look. It then gave the surface something for the paint to stick too. I did not even use primer first. I took my doors off and sprayed them outside in the sun to dry quicker. The textured paint in the can comes out very wet and moist when applied and your surface has to be lying flat so it don't run. After they dried it gave a deeper grain look, and dries hard and thick.

I then sprayed on a clear sealer from a can just to keep any grains from falling off if touched or rubbed against. I have had them up for 8 years now and there's no chipping or peeling or anything. I love the look too. The type paint I'm talking about comes in a spray can and comes in lots of colors. It gives a stone granule look. It's like 3 dollars per can. Sold in Walmart or Lowes.

It originally came out to be used on lots of surfaces to change the look, like lamp bases, flower pots, even plastic tables. I did my old lamp base in the burnt sierra color to match my decor. If your item's covering will be exposed to water or moisture just cover the surface at least 3 times with a clear sealer to bond it better. That also is sold in Walmart with a clear lid for $1.00. (06/29/2008)

By Julie