I think I'd walk

Insl-X scares me, I've used it on a mantle that was coated with an oil poly, the next day I could pull it off easily with my finger nail. It might be one of those products that takes 7-21 days to bond but I don't like taking those chances. If you sand and use something like liquid sand paper to clean them and de gloss as best you can so the primer has a fighting chance. Shellac based primers are my first choice, 2nd would be Cover stain. A test on a single door wouldn't be a bad idea either.

If it were a prospective job, I wouldn't even think twice about it; I'd just say no. But I'm already doing a condo remodel for the customer, so I need to spend a moment seriously considering it. They're just flat pieces, so I'll offer her an attractive price on new doors, regardless of my yes/no/pricing decision on painting the existing ones.

I'll do one test door anyway.

mrcharles said:

I think I'd walk

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I would try and talk her out of painting them. If not I would try wet sanding and/or a deglosser. That's the only way you're going to get any adhesion and even then their not gonna hold up to any abuse. Then finish coat them with the hardest finish you can get.

Just to close the loop on this: I did a sample door, was OK with the durability, the customer liked the appearance, so I accepted the change order and did the work. The Insl-X primer sticks as well to the particular laminate as any primer would stick to anything - you could scrape it off with a scraper or by working hard with a thumbnail, but you could damage most primers on most surfaces with the same tools. We sanded the edges to ease the hard laminate corners, sprayed primer and sanded, sprayed primer a second time on a few of the doors, and sprayed a couple layers of finish. They look great, and I'm comfortable that they're as durable as they need to be.

In situations like this where adhesion is an issue, a hard final coat is as important as what primer to use. BTW, XIM is a specialty primer and does ok.

The primer is the most important part of coating slick surfaces, otherwise the entire coating system may be compromised. I agree that the Insul-X and XIM are excellent bonding primers. Surface prep still must be done to maximize adhesion.

Technology is starting to change the primer market. I personally have used Zinsser oil based primer on just about everything from high glossed cabinets to laminate. It always sticks without sanding or de-glossing. Try it :thumbsup:

i used SW bonding primer on P Lam last week , and top coated with BM Regal , came out great.

What is Sherwin Williams bonding primer called? I need to check this stuff out...

I was told they don't carry the bonding primer anymore, they gave me the multi purpose primer last time I asked for some.

I think Sherwin Williams is slacking on this bond to anything primer that is out by Zinsser. I use the oil based primer by Zinsser a lot. Its cheap about $17 per gallon and it defiantly bonds to glossy surfaces without sanding...