Can you paint chipboard?

Can you paint chipboard?

Yes, you can paint chipboard, but it requires careful preparation to achieve a smooth, durable, high-quality finish.

Chipboard is a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly material used for many different purposes within our homes.

As well as being a great all-rounder for kitchen worktops, insulation, and flooring underlay, it’s also a popular choice for creating sturdy, but cheap, pieces of furniture. For example, tables, headboards, and cabinets.

Granted, it’s not the best-looking material, hence why many people choose to apply a lick of paint to spruce it up.

How to paint chipboard for the best results

One of the main downsides of chipboard is that it’s porous; it will suck up and retain any moisture it comes into contact with.

For this reason, if you’re considering painting chipboard, proper prep work is essential. 

You will need:

• Clean cloth
• Wood filler and putty knife
• Sandpaper
• Oil-based primer
• Undercoat
• Topcoat
• Gloss/clear sealant (optional)
• Paintbrushes and rollers
• Dust sheets

How to prepare and paint chipboard:

1. Protect the surrounding area with dust sheets
2. Clean the chipboard surface
3. Fill any gaps or cracks with wood filler
4. Sand and clean again
5. Seal your chipboard. Either use an oil-based primer or a mixture of PVA and water (20/80%). Allow to dry
6. Apply undercoat as per the manufacturer’s instructions (skip this step if you used a combination primer/undercoat in the previous step)
7. Over paint with a matt, satin, or gloss topcoat of your choice
8. Apply a gloss or clear sealant if required for an extra layer of protection

Tip: If you have exposed edges, they will be more porous. Use wood filler or edging tape if the edges will be visible. If not, apply an extra coat of primer and sand before continuing with the steps above.

Find a professional tradesperson for the job

To ensure a long-lasting, durable, good-quality finish, call in the professionals.

Simply add your postcode to the search box below to see who comes highly recommended in your area.