Do you need to sand laminate before you paint it? Here I test different ways of painting laminate including sanding it first.

On one piece of laminate I sanded using 120 and 220 grit sand paper. On the other piece I did not sand.

I put them all to the test scratching it with my fingernail and a screwdriver. I show all the results and how it held up in the end.

The top coat of paint I used is an oil enriched enamel make for cabinets and furniture.

After this test I thinks it's a good idea to sand your laminate before painting it. It will take longer but over time it will be more durable and save you time and energy in the future.

I have painted many laminate cabinets in my house. You can find the full tutorials and videos below:

Painting my kitchen cabinets white:    • How to Paint Laminate Kitchen Cabinet...  
Painting my bathroom vanity (laminate):    • How to Paint Laminate Cabinets No San...  

In the video where I painted my bathroom vanity I did not sand and the paint went on just fine. However, after my scratch test I would recommend sanding first if you want the paint to hold up longer.

Thanks for watching. I hope it was helpful!!

Drew