How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets Made from PVC or Other Plastic-Type Surfaces
Painting your kitchen cabinets is a fantastic way to refresh the look and feel of your kitchen – and it’s far more affordable than replacing the units altogether. In this article, we’ll focus on how to repaint cabinets made from PVC or other plastic-type surfaces, including thermofoil and melamine. With the right preparation and products, you can achieve a smooth, durable finish that completely transforms your space. Follow these steps for a flawless, long-lasting result.
Tools for the Job
✔ Degreaser (e.g., Fluxaf Power Clean or sugar soap)
✔ Medium-fine sandpaper (120–180 grit)
✔ Fine sandpaper (320 grit)
✔ Lint-free cloth
✔ High-quality masking tape (e.g., Deltec
Gold)
✔ Primer (e.g.,
Ralston All Primer or Uni-Primer)
✔ Water-based topcoat
✔ Brush
✔ Mini-roller
Step 1: Prep Like a Pro
Proper preparation is the secret to a flawless finish. Paint adheres best to clean, solid surfaces – and that’s especially true with plastic cabinets, which are often prone to grease build-up around handles. Here are some key prep steps to ensure your kitchen is ready for painting:1. Remove handles and fittings, if possible. Take off the doors for easier access.
2. Clean thoroughly with a specially-designed degreaser. Pay extra attention to areas around handles where hand grease tends to accumulate.
3. Sand the surface using medium-fine sandpaper to ‘key’ it – this helps the primer grip. Always clean before sanding to avoid pushing contaminants deeper into the surface.
4. Carefully mask off hinges, edges, and any surfaces you don’t want to paint. Use a no-bleed tape like Deltec Gold for crisp lines.
Step 2: Repair any Imperfections
Fill in any cracks, holes or imperfections using a high-quality wood filler like OSMO Wood Filler. Smooth it out with a filling knife and allow to dry. Then sand flush with the surrounding surface. Wipe away dust with a damp cloth and let it dry.
Step 3: Prime
Priming is a crucial step that helps your paint bond properly to PVC and ensures a longer-lasting, more even finish. Skipping it may save time in the short term, but it will likely lead to peeling, patchiness, or poor durability down the line.
Apply one even coat of a suitable primer. We recommend:
1. Ralston All Primer - a water-based primer that can be applied over most surfaces and previous coats of water-based paint.
2. Ralston Uni-Primer - ideal for surfaces previously coated with solvent-based paint. It creates a base that allows you to switch to water-based paints for your topcoats.
Let the primer dry completely – don’t rush this step. It might feel ‘touch dry’ quickly, but that doesn’t mean it’s ready for overcoating. Always follow the drying times on the label.
💡 Why not shellac? Shellac primers are too brittle for plastic-type surfaces and aren’t needed here, since there's no risk of tannin bleed.
Step 4: Paint
Choose a water-based topcoat in your preferred finish – Matt, Semi-Matt, Satin, or High Gloss. Our top recommendation: Ralston Aqua range for its durability and excellent finish. This range is available in a vairiety of finishes to suit your taste and the style of your kitchen:
✔ Matt - Modern,
soft look; great for a contemporary feel.
✔ Semi-Matt (Eggshell) – A
balanced middle-ground.
✔ Satin – Slight
sheen, easy to clean, popular for kitchens.
✔ Gloss – Reflective,
sleek, but shows imperfections more easily.
Apply one even coat. If you want a second coat (especially for richer colour or extra durability), lightly sand with 320 grit, clean the dust off, and apply the second coat.
While the paint will become touch-dry within a few hours, full curing takes longer (chcek the manufacturer's instructions). During this time, try to minimise contact with the painted surface.
Myth-buster: A matt finish is not less durable! In fact, Ralston Aqua Matt is the toughest option of the four.
Top Customer Questions
What Are Some Pro Tips I Should Keep in Mind for a Professional Finish?
✔ Don’t overapply: Thick coats can lead to drips and uneven texture.
✔ Corners & grooves Use a final outward stroke with your brush to prevent paint build-up in crevices.
✔ Be patient: If coverage looks patchy while drying, wait until it’s fully dry before deciding to recoat.
Brush vs. Roller – Which to Choose?
For the best results, we recommend using both. Start with a brush to cut in around edges, corners, and detailed areas, then switch to a roller to quickly and evenly cover larger flat surfaces.
✔ Opt for a high-quality synthetic brush, such as the Wooster Silver Tip or Van Dam.
✔ Avoid cheap or budget brushes – they tend to shed bristles and leave streaks in the finish.
✔ A good brush will hold its shape, apply paint smoothly, and be easy to clean for future use.
Choosing The Right Roller For the Job – Our Top Tips:
✔ Rollers make light work of large surfaces and help deliver a smooth, professional finish.
✔ We recommend a 4" mohair roller sleeve paired with a durable frame like the Wooster Sherlock.
✔ A quality roller will apply paint evenly with minimal splatter and last for multiple projects.
Mistakes Happen – Here’s How to Fix Them
Notice a patchy area after drying? Don’t worry. Trying to fix paint while it’s half-dry often makes it worse. Let it set, then you can:
✔ Lightly
sand the area
✔ Wipe
clean
✔ Reapply
a finish coat
Final Thoughts
Painting PVC or plastic kitchen cabinets is entirely achievable with the right approach. It might take a bit of effort up front – but the result is a sleek, durable finish that can totally transform your space at a fraction of the cost of a full renovation.
Inspired? Call or drop into one of our nine stores nationwide for expert advice about your home.
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