Can I paint this?

[PenelopeJune]

I have some ugly laminate "wood" shelves. (That terrible particle board stuff) Replacing them isn't in the budget, but can I paint them? Do I need to do any prep to them?

[SquishyBuggles]

You can, but you need to make sure to sand it really well...it gets some of the nasty laminate off and gives the paint something to adhere to.

[Berty]

I just painted a shelf unit in my bathroom that sounds just like what you have. It took the paint ok but it can be scraped easily. If I were picky (I'm not, I just wanted to get it done!) I would have used some primer first, maybe that would hold the paint better.
Good Luck!!

[CariOfOz]

I painted hideous laminate cabinet doors many years ago, they make a special laminate primer from what I remember. I think you give a light sand, coat with the primer then you're all set. Mine held up really well. Anyone in the paint section of a home center should know the stuff you need straight away

[vm9799]

yes, you sure can!

just sand it all well to scuff up the surface so the primer adheres better. then prime it with something like kilz and then paint. it's better to paint several light coats of paint and let them dry in between coats than to just paint one very heavy coat as it can then scrape/peel easily. you can also seal the outside with a polyurethane or something as well for a more "finished" surface.

just take your time and do all the steps and you should be good to go!

[PenelopeJune]

Okay, thank you all! Take my time...not something I'm good at. I'll do my best though!

[WeasleyMum]

Definitely, just sand, sand, sand, and prime! (Don't skip the primer, really, you'll regret it if you do! I speak from experience...)

[LaughingHyena]

Defiantly don't skimp on the prep. Also IME some melamine things take the paint well and others don't.

I've painted a cupboard and some shelves which looked fine for years. I then painted my it table top and the paint just scratched really quickly. In the end I scrubbed it all off with the kitchen scrubby I was cleaning up playdough and the paint came off too.