How to Paint a Vanity

If you’ve got a wood bathroom vanity that’s looking a little dated, instead of replacing it, breathe new life into your vanity and make it look as good as new by painting it. Learn how to paint a vanity in this Lowe’s video:

If you try to just paint the vanity as is, the paint will not stick correctly, and you’ll end up with a subpar look. The key is to take your time and do all the prep work beforehand.

Remove all your hardware, drawers and doors. If you’re replacing the vanity top, remove it now to save some time masking it off later. If possible, remove the drawer fronts from the drawers for ease of sanding and painting.

Handle hardware can come in lots of different screw configurations. If you’re planning to switch to new hardware that uses a different pattern that won’t fit the existing holes, now is the time to fill the holes with putty and sand them smooth.

Wash all the surfaces that you are going to paint with trisodium phosphate with a scrubbing pad or sponge, using a solution prepared according to the instructions on the package. Rinse at least two times with fresh water before sanding.

For wood surfaces protected by a clear finish, sand with 220 grit sandpaper to remove all gloss. This will help the new paint adhere correctly.

If your vanity has thermofoil or melamine surfaces, make sure the plastic film is firmly bonded onto the material underneath. If there is a solid material underneath that can be easily painted, you may be able to remove the film using a heat gun. Use alcohol or mineral spirits to remove the glue residue. If the material is just peeling a bit, you may be able to reattach the film with a strong glue. If the film is bonded securely, sand the surface lightly with 220 grit until it all looks dull. Some of these films can react with primer, so keep checking that the plastic surface stays bonded firmly at each step.

Once everything is sanded and any bare spots are primed and dried, vacuum up any dust and wipe the surfaces with a tack cloth or damp rag. Use painters tape to mask off the vanity top, any surrounding walls or furniture, and the inside face of the cabinet frame. Take your time to make sure everything is neat as it will save you time later.

While primer and paint combinations are available, you may need a dedicated primer to deal with any surface problems on your vanity. The glossier your final paint will be, the smoother the primer needs to be. Matte paint hides imperfections, but gloss can highlight any surface issues. If you’re dealing with melamine or thermofoil, even after sanding, you will need the stickiness of a shellac-based primer to get good adhesion, otherwise the paint and primer might esily get scratched off. Apply a coat of primer with brush and roller and let it dry. Sand the primer smooth and wipe everything clean.

Now it’s time to paint. Start by brushing or rolling on a full coat. Let it dry completely, then add two more coats for complete even coverage and a smooth finish. Remove the painters tape and let the vanity dry overnight.

Once dry, you can reassemble the vanity. If you need to drill new holes for the hardware, do that now; otherwise, you can put the drawers back in and attach the pulls. Check that your drawers and doors open and close smoothly.