How to Paint a Melamine Board

Melamine board is essentially a type of material (typically foam or cardboard) that is covered with a melamine hard shell. Melamine can also be used to make inexpensive plates, bowls and trays for use in cafeterias and other high volume locations. Melamine board can be used to cover walls or for craft projects and, as such, will most likely be painted. You will find, however, that painting melamine board is more difficult than you may have anticipated. Here's help:  

Step 1 - Safety

Place the melamine board you wish to paint on top of a drop cloth or place a drop cloth in front of the board. Make sure to put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands from the harsh materials you will be working with. Make sure you wear a pair of latex gloves.

Step 2 - Scrub it Down

Fill the bucket with 2 gallons of warm water and add to it 1/2 cup of the trisodium phosphate. Mix it well until the trisodium phosphate is incorporated. Use the rag and dip it into the mixture and squeeze out the excess water. Scrub the board down well and rinse it off with clean water. Allow the melamine board to dry completely before moving forward.

Step 3 - Create a Texture

Melamine board is very smooth which makes painting it very difficult. In order to get paint to stick to the board you need to create some sort of texture. Use the 80-grit sandpaper first to sand the melamine board down. Make sure to get the entire surface. Use the rag to dust off the powder created from the sanding process.

Step 4 - Primer

Now that the surface is rough it can accept primer. Use a paintbrush and apply a very thin coat of primer to the melamine board. Make sure to read the instructions on the primer as it may require a certain type of brush. Some melamine primer may require the use of a bristled brush but others will want you to use foam or a roller. Cover the entire melamine board with the primer and let the primer set and dry for four or more hours. After the primer has dried, use the 240-grit grit sandpaper to gently sand the surface. Wipe away the dust with a rag.

Step 5 - Paint the Melamine Board

Now that the melamine board is properly sanded and primer has been applied you can start to paint it. Apply one coat of the melamine paint to the board using whichever brush is recommended for the paint you are using. For best results you should apply the paint in a thin layer. Let this first layer of paint dry and then apply another layer of paint as you did previously. Add another coat if you think it is necessary.