Ready for a living room makeover or fun project for a quick refresh? Laminate furniture, including your electric fireplaces can be repainted. Whether you’re a DIY expert or trying something new, updating your laminate fireplace is a satisfying project that you can use every day. Electric fireplaces are one of the best ways to heat your home, so why not make sure your fireplace fits your style, too?
Not sure if you have a laminate fireplace mantel? A quick trick to see if your electric fireplace is veneer or laminate is to sand a very small section. Veneer is made of thin layers of wood pressed together. When sanded down, you’ll find plywood. Laminate is made up of layers of paper and resins. Sand laminate down and you’ll find plastic. Once you’ve determined what your fireplace is made of, you can get started on your repainting.
Laminate can be painted, but it takes a bit more effort than just quickly throwing on some paint. There are important steps to take to make sure all your hard work lasts longer. You will need a few tools and materials to get started:
- Drill/ screwdriver · Fine grit sandpaper
- Paintbrush · Primer
- Roller brush and paint tray · Laminate paint
- Drop cloth to cover your floor · Painter’s tape.
- Lint-free cloth
Step 1
First, unplug your fireplace and remove all additional décor. Make sure you have plenty of space to work and cover the floor with a drop cloth. Completely dust and clean the fireplace surface before beginning the sanding process. Cover any decorate elements with painter’s tape if you don’t plan on repainting those, and cover any electric panels or cords.
Step 2
Work slowly in small sections, lightly sand away the color until the entire mantle is paint-free. Whether your mantle is made of veneer or laminate, take care not to over-sand. Over-sanding can cause an uneven surface. Use a lint-free cloth to dust the fireplace and you’re ready to start painting.
Step 3
Use a roller brush to apply primer over large areas of the fireplace mantle. Small paintbrushes can be used to cover details and corners. Paint primer is essential for ensuring your chosen paint color sticks to the laminate and lasts. Look for a bonding primer specially designed to work with laminate paint.
Step 4
Lightly sand again once the primer is dried. Be extra cautious to not sand away the primer itself. Wipe away dust with your lint-free cloth. Sanding eliminates a bit of the glossy finish of laminate paint and adds some texture to help the paint adhere.
Step 5
Begin painting with your laminate paint. Use the roller brush to minimize stroke marks, working with a small paint brush for the corners and details. Let layers fully dry before applying a second coat. Once fully dry, your refreshed electric fireplace is ready for use.
Your new-to-you fireplace will be the star of the show as you entertain, relax at home, and keep those energy bills down with glowing warmth year-round at the touch of a button. Now that you’re the expert, what project is next on your list? Maybe adding a firepit to the backyard or cleaning out the old wood burning fireplace to add a fireplace insert? Explore our full catalogue for stylish electric fireplaces for every room in your home.
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