But melamine is susceptible to wea.

It might get scratched and nicked with everyday use.

But you might extend the life of your melamine counters or cabinets by painting them.

Cream paint on paint roller going over laminate surface

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Preparation

Prepare the surface so that the paint will stick over the long term.

Improperly applied paint will peel.

Begin by deglossing and roughening the melamine with sandpaper orliquid deglosser.

Materials to paint on laminate or melamine surface laid on marbled table

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Also, you will need specialized paint or coating for melamine.

It’s always best to start with a primer to ensure adhesion and paint coverage.

What Is Deglossing?

Box fan running in front of open window

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Glossy surfaces like melamine are meant to repel water, dirt, and other substances.

Liquid sandpaper or deglosser, along with the mechanical process of sanding with sandpaper, helps dull those surfaces.

The surfaces have “tooth,” or enough porosity to attach to the coating.

Laminate or melamine surface sanded down

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Paint to Use For Melamine

Use a urethane-reinforced paint.

Urethane-reinforced products are more expensive than ordinary acrylic-latex paints for walls.

The urethane hides scratches better and sticks to problem surfaces.

Laminate or melamine surface wiped down by tack cloth

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

But melamine surfaces will still need sanding before painting.

Need more help?

fire up the windows.

High density roller painting first layer of white paint on laminate or melamine surface

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

If you’re free to, set upa box fan, so it blowsoutof one window.

You want to promote cross-ventilation throughout the work area.

Placedrop cloths on the flooring and tape contractor’s paper or plasticon all surfaces that will not be coated.

Second coat of tan paint applied to laminate or melamine surface

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Confine the work area with plastic sheeting to prevent the sanding dust from traveling throughout the house.

Roughen the Surface

Protect yourself from sanding dust with a dust mask or respirator.

Sand down the melamine surface with150- or 180-grit sandpaper.

Laminate or melamine surface cured with a coffee tray and books on top

Allow the first coat to dry for at least 6 hours or as recommended by the manufacturer.

The fans will push airborne dust and debris onto the wet paint.

Apply the Subsequent Coats

Apply one or more additional coats of paint, using the same techniques.

Let each coat dry as directed.

In general, the odor from drying or curing coatings is strongest while the coating is still wet.

You do not need to ventilate the area during this period.

it’s possible for you to use the surface gently and only clean it with a damp cloth.

This thick layer effectively covers up all scratches.

These systems can get pricey and can be time-consuming with many steps.

You will not be able to use the surface for at least a weeknot even gently.

Surface preparation.Yale School of Medicine.