You are here:

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/painting formica/laminate furniture

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/18/2010


Question
I plan on painting formica/laminate furniture (desk, dresser, etc.).  What is the best way to clean it (bleach & water? TSP substitute?) and what primer and topcoat would you recommend?  This will be in an infant room.  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hey Greg, You could clean it with a degreasing solvent like mineral spirits, or TSP, or you could prep and clean in one step, by wet sanding with 320-220 grit silicon carbide paper (black wet/dry), with some water with a few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent. Put that in a bowl and dip the folded paper in it and sand in long, overlapping strokes, wiping the slurry off as you work in sections.This will clean and scuff sand the surface in one step...then you could either spray the pieces with a good primer, (like a sandable auto body primer), or the compatible primer for the paint..I like the Rustoleum or Krylon...these dry quick, level out well, and are pretty durable when cured. There is a relatively new product designed for formica from Rustoleum...
http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=208
I am not too familiar with it, but I have read some decent reviews. It looks like it is based on an Alkyd resin technology, which is a varnish base... Furniture will stand up better to any painting coating schedule than a countertop will, just because of the difference in use.You can also get decent results with a brush and the little foam trim rollers, but spraying always gives a better, more professional finish..Hope that helps a little- please post back if need be- regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.