Remember a few weeks ago when I designed the mood board for Abbi’s room?  Well, I decided to finally getting around to painting the black Expedit bookshelf that we inherited from the people living in our apartment before us.  I wanted it to be a nice crisp white.  So I ran to the local hardware store and spoke with the man at the paint counter.  I let him know that I was painting over laminate and didn’t want to sand so I needed a primer that would cover and adhere well.  He recommended the two-in-one ultra paint & primer and assured me it would work great.

A few hours later I was happy with how shiny and white the bookshelf was looking so I closed the door and let it dry over night.  The next morning I opened the door, happy and optimistic, to find that the paint/primer the man swore would work great didn’t work so great after all.

Whamp. Whamp.  It just peeled right off.  I didn’t even have to try it basically fell off on it’s own.

Once Abbi and I had returned the whole shelf to it’s original black I jumped online to do some research from sources that I trust – home DIY blogs.  And I found exactly what I needed…

Go Ahead & Paint that Laminate via Centsational Girl

I just followed her directions to the letter. After a quick trip back to the hardware store for the Zinnser primer she recommended I was back home and within a few hours had a nice coat of the correct stuff on the bookshelf.  I let it dry over night then followed it with two coats of the paint/primer that failed the first time.

When I walked in this morning I was a little hesitant.  Gone was the happy optimistic girl of yore.  But I was stunned.  That paint is staying put.  I even tried to scratch it with a nail file.  Nothin. Not even a hint of black showing through.

So, take it from me.  Make sure you use the right tools for your project or you’ll be one said lady for a few days.  Trust me.  I can’t wait for it to finish curing so I can make it cute!

Have you every had to learn the hard way when doing a DIY project?