How To Really Clean Oak Kitchen Cabinets

Matt is a professional painter who owns and operates his own painting business, specializing in interior and exterior firm painting.

Oak cabinets freshly painted white

Can Y'all Paint Oak?

Painting oak cabinets is a inexpensive alternative to buying expensive replacements.

Oak is an open grain wood with a porous surface, but the grain tin exist filled to get a smooth finish when painted. I have painted oak cabinets for clients who actually prefer the grain to show through the paint for a rustic look. Filling the grain still allows some of the natural texture of the wood to show through the paint, but the deep cracks are no longer visible. Proper surface preparation is critical when painting oak to avoid problems with adhesion and tannin bleed.

This article covers the post-obit information on painting oak cabinets:

• Paint colors for oak cabinets
• How to paint oak cabinets
• Cabinet paint options

Paint Colors for Oak Cabinets

The most popular paint color my clients cull is white. White is timeless and goes with almost any wall and counter colour. Bronze or brushed nickel knobs look amazing on white cabinets. For versatility, y'all tin't go wrong with white.

Greyness is also popular for cabinets, simply they may limit your color options for the balance of the kitchen. I painted cabinets for a client who went with a lite grey for all of the cabinets, except the island. The island cabinets were painted with a dark greyness for an accent.

How to Pigment Oak Cabinets

Hither are the steps you lot should have in painting your oak cabinets.

i. Remove the Cabinet Doors

• Removing cabinet doors before painting is a must.
• I apply a numbering arrangement when removing the doors to avoid confusion installing them at the terminate of the job. Count the upper cabinets from left to right commencement, then the base of operations cabinets in the same way. Subsequently removing each door, remove the hardware from the door and write the cabinet number in its place. Stick a piece of masking tape over the number.
• I as well record the hinges together for each door and number them too. I accept run into instances where the hinges are different sizes.

2. Clean the Chiffonier Doors and Wall Boxes

Primer and paint don't bond well to a greasy surface. Painting over chiffonier grease can pb to paint rub-off when cleaning them in the time to come. Greasy cabinets should be cleaned using a de-greaser or a de-glosser. Tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) tin can also exist used to clean oak cabinets. I use a coarse scrubbing pad for cleaning, and a sanding sponge works well besides.

Most of the cabinets I paint are already stained and coated with a glossy, protective stop, and then I use a de-glosser to fix the wood. Klean Strip de-glosser works well, as well as Krud Kutter. Some cleaning agents claim to act every bit a liquid sander, but the oak should still be sanded thoroughly later on the cleaning is done.

3. Sand the Cabinets

Use a random orbit sander to sand the cabinet doors and wall boxes. I use 150 grit sanding discs on my random orbit sander. I don't recommend using sandpaper that's too coarse every bit information technology tin can damage the wood. Using 150 grit works well for cabinet sanding without causing damage.

Sanding should be done before applying primer. Sanding the oak smooth allows the primer and paint to bail well to the surface. Remove sanding grit from the surface with a vacuum and a tack cloth.

four. Make full the Oak Grain With a Grain Filler

Oak is an open-grain woods with cracks and small holes everywhere. These cracks show through the paint unless a filler is used to smoothen the surface. Some people like the grain to show, just if you want your cabinets to look as polish as possible, using a filler is best.

Applying grain filler is easy. I use Sherwood filler from Sherwin Williams to fill the grain in oak cabinets, but there are other products bachelor too. I utilise the Sherwood filler with a castor, let information technology to set for about x minutes, and buff it into the wood pores with a soft cloth, wiping in a circular motion.

Read More From Dengarden

5. Prime Oak Cabinets With an Oil Primer

• Using the right primer is really important when preparing oak cabinets for paint. Latex primer is a bad choice for priming cabinets because information technology's too soft, and it won't prevent wood tannin from bleeding into the top coat of paint, no thing how many coats of paint are applied. Latex primer tin can also raise the wood grain, forming a rough texture that needs additional sanding. Oil primers like Embrace Stain, seal woods, preventing tannin bleed, and dry out difficult. Another skilful option outside of oil primer is BIN shellac, too by Zinsser.
• Wearing a respirator is a must when working with oil primer. The fumes are terrible and tin make you sick without ventilation. If possible, use primer outdoors.
• The fastest way to utilize primer and paint on cabinets is with a sprayer. I use a Graco airless sprayer with a fine finish spray tip for cabinets. If you lot prime number the doors by mitt, use a brush and a cream roller. I spray my cabinets, simply if I'm rolling I use the flock foam roller from Sherwin Williams. The flock cream roller leaves a very fine texture on cabinet doors similar to a sprayed await, but not every bit fine.
• One coat of oil primer on cabinets is ordinarily acceptable, but two coats is even better. Oil primer takes longer to dry, but can unremarkably be painted in four to v hours, but I typically let overnight drying earlier painting.
• Before painting, I recommend sanding the primed woods. Sanding the primed woods creates a super smoothen end and a stronger pigment bail.

Oak chiffonier doors sprayed white and drying

6. Spray the Cabinet Doors

Utilize an airless sprayer, or an HVLP sprayer, to paint the cabinet doors. Although spraying takes a little practice, the paint stop looks so much improve than using a brush and a roller.

You can ordinarily hire an airless sprayer from your local paint shop. Graco and Titan are ii airless sprayer brands that are very popular. I personally use a Graco 490. Practise on a piece of paper-thin.

You lot can either spray the cabinet boxes or paint them by hand. Spraying the boxes looks better, only requires removal of everything inside, as well as masking of the cabinet openings with protective plastic.

Cabinet doors should exist sprayed with 2 coats of semi-gloss paint on both sides. About people look for the moisture side to dry, before flipping the door over to pigment the other side, but the trouble with this method is it takes way too long. The best and fastest alternative is to employ a curved drying rack that allows you to paint both sides in one day, saving tons of time. That is what I employ for all of my cabinet projects.

Another option is to attach hooks into the top of the doors and hang them on a rod for spraying, which allows both sides to exist sprayed in i day.

Cabinet Paint Options

For cabinet painting, I take since switched from Pro Classic to Emerald Urethane enamel in the semi-gloss finish. This paint is more durable and dries harder than Pro Classic.

For fans of Benjamin Moore, Impervo is another popular paint for cabinets, although I have no personal experience with it. Advance is another popular Benjamin Moore paint frequently used for cabinets, only Advance takes a long fourth dimension to fully cure. When choosing a cabinet pigment, it's important to cull a product that'south durable and levels when practical.

Questions & Answers

Question: I always heard not to mix oil based and h2o based paints. The BIN is a shellac and the Pro Classic from SW is water based. Does this work?

Answer: Absolutely. Yous tin use most acrylic latex paints over BIN shellac.

Question: My wife wants to supervene upon the doors before painting the cabinets. Since they will exist painted, I was planning on using something like birch for the doors to save money and using a filler on the Oak boxes to get rid of the grain. Still, your article indicates that some of the grain will still bear witness through. Would a 2d coat of filler virtually eliminate the grain or exercise I simply need to suck it up and use oak for the new doors?

Answer: A 2nd coat of filler is improve than one, merely how much grain shows too depends on your application method likewise. If you're rolling the primer and paint, the roller itself fills nearly of the grain, even without any filler, simply some deeper grain cracks might remain, and the natural pattern of the oak volition be more noticeable without one coat of filler. If you're spraying and not rolling, which is what I practice, you lot can fill most of the grain past spraying the doors horizontally with BIN shellac primer. BIN is very thin and seeps into the grain nicely, filling most of the cracks. One coat of filler, two coats of BIN and 2 coats of paint is what I do and the doors come out very smooth with no open grain cracks showing. The most difficult cracks to become rid of on oak doors is the finish grain on the door edges. Y'all can hide the grain cracks on oak cabinets with filler, primer and paint, but it'south very difficult to completely hide the grain pattern. Information technology's of import to sympathise the deviation. To completely hide the grain design, you lot would have to apply multiple coats of filler, and even then it won't be one hundred percentage gone. The cracks themselves are the most important to hide as they show through the paint, specially white, and look horrible if left open.

Question: How would you lot gear up seams in forest? After painting white, in that location are visible cracks, vertical to where the pieces were pressed (glued?) together. Is there anything to correct the long cracks? I nevertheless need to do the 2nd one-half of doors. Do you lot have whatever suggestions to prep so the seams do not bear witness?

Respond: You can try caulking them with paintable caulk.

Question: When using oil-based primer on oak cabinets, is it better to curl the primer or spray it?

Answer: The application is easier with a sprayer, but for spraying primer on oak though, I recommend BIN shellac primer instead of oil. BIN is a lot thinner and fills the grain of oak much easier, even without using a grain filler. But with either primer, using even merely i coat of grain filler before primer will make it a lot easier to cover the oak completely with the sprayer. You can, of course, curl the primer besides, but this is going to create stippling texture, even using a foam roller. Spraying gives yous a squeamish shine finish, using the right pigment and technique.

Question: Does BIN shellac primer cover oak stain and prevent tannin bleed the same equally the Cover stain primer?

Answer: Yes.

Question: How practice I maintain an oak wood design if I paint the wood white?

Reply: If yous're asking how to maintain the natural pattern of the oak you're painting white, you can preserve it by not using a grain filler. This volition testify more of the natural cracks and imperfections in the wood through the paint.

Question: Could I use an oil-based paint to pigment cabinets?

Respond: Aye, you lot can, but the master disadvantage of oil-based paint is that it tends to yellow over fourth dimension. This doesn't look good on cabinets painted white. The all-time culling is to apply either a quality acrylic paint on cabinets or one formulated with urethane to get the durability of oil paint without the yellowing problem.

Question: Does sherwin Williams still sell the Sherwood filler? Do yous have whatsoever other recommendations?

Reply: They do, but information technology ordinarily has to exist ordered. I recommend Aqua Coat grain filler over the Sherwood filler. That'south what I use. The Sherwood filler is meant to be used on cabinets that will be sprayed with lacquer. Information technology cannot be used nether Shellac primer like BIN, according to my local Sherwin Williams. Aqua Coat tin be used under oil primer and shellac BIN primer.

Question: Practise y'all demand to sand between coats of coverstain primer or just after the second one? How long should I go along my kids out of the house after priming?

Answer: Y'all should sand betwixt coats and tack material the dust. This will requite you a smooth finish. The paint will also stick better to the sanded primer. Cover Stain sands really easy into a fine pulverisation once information technology'south totally dry. The scent from oil-based primer lingers for seveal hours. It's hard to say how long, merely opening windows and using a fan helps dry the primer a lot faster. That'due south one reason I use BIN shellac primer instead of Encompass Stain. The primer dries in 45 minutes and the smell is gone in less than 2 hours with a window open. Oil primer dries slow and wreaks all solar day.

Question: Do you just clean and sand your oak caibnets? A lot of sources recommend using a stripper vs sand. What are your thoughts about that? Thanks

Answer: If yous're referring to using liquid sandpaper, or deglosser, aye, you tin use those. I clean and sand doors.

Question: I know you prefer BIN merely we're rolling so we're using cover stain. Mine is from Domicile Depot and says that information technology is low VOC. Is the low VOC the same cover stain you lot used to use? Will the low VOC cover stain cake bleedthrough on oak? It says oil based but there seem to be several cover stains that are low VOC, all which are available in my Habitation Depot. Also what white paint to you use about often with the emerald?

Answer: Yes, as long as you're using the oil based Embrace Stain, the low VOC is the same. Oil primer volition prevent bleed through on oak cabinets, but I recommend two coats. I've had bleed through happen in spots with only i, but never ii. I use the Sherwin Williams colour Snowbound a lot for cabinets.

Question: If I want the grain to show through for that rustic look, what stride of this process do I leave out? Exercise I omit simply step 4?

Respond: To show more of the natural grain, don't employ any woods filler.

Question: I just had prefinished existing cabinets painted and unfinished cabinets painted. Both oak. The prefinished look groovy, the unfinished expect don't await skillful at all, anywhere the grain is the paint is a different colour and appears to have sucked into the woods. The painter assured me he sealed them with primer and sanded earlier coats and doesn't know what's incorrect. How tin we fix the upshot on my make new island?

Answer: The painter possibly didn't use an oil-based primer-sealer to seal the surface of the unfinished island cabinets. That allowed the tannin in the forest to bleed into the paint and change its colour. If a water-based primer was used that would also raise the forest grain also and make it look and feel rough. The island would demand to be sanded and primed with an oil-based primer, or white shellac primer. That will seal the surface of the wood and give yous a smooth and consistent finish with the paint. The reason information technology didn't happen with the finished cabinets is considering in that location was already a stain and clear glaze finish on them and the sanding didn't go down to the bare wood. The unfinished cabinets are already bare forest and should have been primed correctly.

Question: Would you recommend 150 grit for sanding in betwixt coats?

Reply: I use 220 grit between coats of primer and 320 if I demand to sand betwixt coats of pigment. I use 150 grit for the initial sanding earlier priming.

Question: Do you utilize a clear coat after painting? And if so, which articulate glaze do you recommend?

Answer: I actually don't apply a clear coat, but you can. However, my local pigment store advised confronting clear coating the paint product I use. Check and make sure the paint you're using can be top coated with polyurethane. I'd apply a water-based polyurethane. The paint should take time to cure earlier top coating.

Question: My kitchen is brown, brown, brown - love oak cabinets, nighttime hardwood floors, brownish speckled-like granite and dark brown glass tile backsplash. What colour should I paint the cabinets to lighten up the kitchen without changing anything else in the kitchen?

Answer: White. It's simple and timeless. White goes with any colour. People as well similar white cabinets if you ever sell your firm.

Question: What grit sanding disks are you using betwixt apllications of Seal Coat, BIN Primer and Emerald Urethane?

Answer: With oak cabinets, I employ 120 grit discs for the start sanding to remove the articulate coat. For sanding coats of primer, I'll scuff sand with 3M detailing sanding sponges (220 dust). Those 3M sponges are angled and perfect for sanding into corners of cabinet doors. I stopped using an orbital sander to sand the primer because it tends to remove the primer from the edges of the doors. An orbital sander also leaves swirl marks in the primer, it'southward too aggressive.

Question: In another post, you recommend Drydex spackling for oak cabinets. Do you lot recommend wood filler and so oil primer or spackling so oil primer?

Answer: I've used DryDex spackling to make full the grain in oak cabinets without any problems, only I actually recommend using Aqua Coat grain filler instead because information technology dries difficult inside the grain for durability. I've done information technology both means, but now I prime number showtime, fill with Aqua Glaze and sand, then prime the second coat to seal in the filler. I observe information technology easier to prime commencement because the primer alone fills some of the shallow grain cracks and exposes only the deeper cracks that need filler. This is easier than skim coating and sanding the unabridged surface of the cabinets. Using filler over the white primer does make information technology harder to see where the filler is for sanding purposes, simply what I practice is stick a piece of tape side by side to the areas I fill. You can besides look at the doors at an bending and see the filler spots.

Question: Can the BIN shellac primer exist sprayed since it is flammable?

Reply: Yes, of course. Open the windows in the room you lot're spraying in and the fumes are gone in about twenty minutes. With the windows open, the fumes never have a chance to build upwards. The fumes and scent are gone rapidly.

Question: You stated your painted cabinets in gray, what color did you utilise and was it Sherman Williams? Practise yous recommend one from Benjamin Moore?

Answer: I painted cabinets gray once with the Sherwin Williams color Dovetail Gray. I'm not too familiar with Benjamin Moore colors. I've used their paint, but I use Sherwin Williams products the most.

Question: I have pickled oak cabinets that I painted white with and oil based paint and and then glazed them with a tea stain. It's time to update the cabinets again and I desire to paint just patently white. I program to use a filler this time to minimize any grain that still shows. If I use the Sherwood filler, do I yet demand to employ the Bin Shellac prior to painting?

Answer: Yous didn't mention if the cabinets were primed earlier painting them with the oil based paint. I believe the Sherwood grain filler is oil-based and that would a skilful option for filling the grain on your oil painted cabinets. I would fill the wood grain beginning so prime the cabinets with oil primer. That will seal the filler, glaze, and help the grain blueprint blend in with the pigment so you don't see any flashing or an uneven finish. Don't use BIN primer.

Question: Practise you degloss and sand both sides of cabinet doors? Is it ok to roll BIN?

Reply: Yes, both sides. You can gyre BIN, but it'south messy to brush and roll. You demand to make sure the flooring and everything is protected. I spray BIN. It'south very sparse and lays out overnice on cabinet doors when sprayed.

Question: What is your stance on using white laquer on oak cabinets vs pigment?

Answer: While I've never used information technology, I know that white pigmented lacquer is durable for utilise on cabinets, only requires an HVLP sprayer for awarding. Lacquer dries super fast, but it's besides very flammable and smells horrible. This is something to consider if y'all're sensitive to chemical odour. Product availability is some other consideration. In my area, white lacquer is special order. I tin't get down to my local Sherwin Williams store and buy a gallon for mixing on the spot.

Question: How would you pigment oak veneer cabinets?

Answer: I've painted many oak veneer cabinets. The smoothen contour looks nice spray painted white. Yous would prep and paint oak veneer using the tips and process outlined in my cabinet painting articles. Clean, sand, prime, and paint. Utilize oil-based primer, or white shellac primer, on the cabinets.

Question: In the center of redoing our bath oak cabinets sprayed the cabinet parts with the BIN shellac today-2 coats. Once they're dry, what grit sandpaper do you recommend to sand at this step? And what dust in betwixt coats of paint?

Answer: Use 220-grit betwixt prime coats and 320-dust between coats of paint. If yous're applying the second coat of paint the adjacent twenty-four hours, yous don't have to sand between coats of paint unless at that place'due south something stuck in the paint, or it's rough. The angled sandpaper sponges work great.

Question: I have oak cabinets with gloss cease and some is worn off. What's the all-time primer to use?

Respond: Either oil-based primer, or shellac-based primer, is best for priming oak cabinets. Apply two coats.

Question: My oak chiffonier has several coats of paste wax. I now want to paint information technology white. Do I need to remove the wax and if so, how volition I do it? I take tried mineral spirits with steel wool but it is not helping.

Answer: Yes, you lot definitely need to remove the paste wax for the primer to bail with the surface. Mineral spirits should break down the wax, but it sounds like it isn't working for you lot. Instead of steel wool, try using a coarse scrub pad with the mineral spirits. You lot might also desire to endeavor lacquer thinner. Wear protective gloves when using either of them. Another option is a gel chemical stripper that you apply and let to penetrate the surface for twenty minutes before scraping. After you lot remove the wax, clean the surface really good before yous sand.

© 2022 Matt G.

Matt Thou. (author) from United States on July 01, 2022:

The hinges are new and adjustable so information technology should be fine. You can adjust the hinges if needed. Thank you for the compliment. Information technology's e'er overnice to hear feedback from my readers that my articles have helped them with their painting projects. Embrace Stain oil primer is a skillful option for cabinets. I've never used Stix primer. Thanks once again for the feedback.

JP from Bmore on July 01, 2022:

Hey Matt. Proficient read, thx. I will be changing hinges on our kitchen cabinets from traditional to hidden. While I was away last weekend, my wife decided to assist me out and take the doors off. She didn't number or marker them in any manner. Am I screwed? Thinking since new hinges have multiple adjustments that I should be OK without putting aforementioned door in the same pigsty. Thoughts?

Thank you.

PS, Painted my fireplace a couple of weeks ago using tips from your commodity. Turned out beter and then I expected. Used Stix primer instead of Cover Stain. Will be using Embrace Stain for the kitchen for obvious reasons :)

Matt G. (writer) from U.s. on June 21, 2022:

I would rent a professional Graco/Titan sprayer from a paint store, or from an equipment rental store. It's faster to spray and information technology looks smoother when done right. You can castor and roll the primer and spray the enamel as well, and that would still salve time, merely so you'll have a textured await from the prime coat showing through the gloss of the smooth enamel. If information technology were me, I'd want all of the coats to look as smooth as possible.

StaceyLP on June 20, 2022:

Thank you for the response re cabinet color and grain. Will definitely be going with white!

Some other question for you - I'm DIY'ing, and then planning to use a graco magnum x5 sprayer. I saw that BIN shellac can't be used with that sprayer since it's flammable. If I ringlet/brush the BIN shellac coats and spray the SW emerald urethane (thinking semi-gloss), volition I still have a polish finish? Or should I programme on renting a pro-level sprayer to do the BIN shellac part of my project? Thanks for the assist!

Matt G. (author) from The states on June 17, 2022:

Dark colors tend to show more of the wood grain and surface imperfections. Touchups don't blend in as good. And similar to having dark colored appliances like black, smear marks and fingerprints volition become more than visible. These things are less noticeable with white pigment.

StaceyLP on June xvi, 2022:

Planning to paint our oak cabinets and trying to get rid of the grain as much as possible. I'm yet deciding on color. If I exercise a dark lower (ie navy or dark greenish) and a white upper, will the grain exist more visible in night vs calorie-free colors (or vice versa)? Likewise considering a medium grey for the lowers.

Thanks!

Matt G. (author) from U.s.a. on May 05, 2022:

Oil primer takes longer to dry than shellac primer (BIN) and latex primer, but Encompass Stain should be totally dry and not tacky the next twenty-four hours. If you apply oil primer too heavy information technology will take a lot longer to dry. This could be the reason. If it's cold in the room too this could be another reason. Cold air slows the dry out fourth dimension. I would go out it lone and let it dry before sanding. One time information technology'south totally dry it sands really nice.

marker on May 05, 2022:

i sanded my oak kitchen cabinets doors with 220 grit smooth a few days ago. yesterday i painted all interior sides of them with zinsser oil base cover stain primer with a brush and foam roller.24 hours later i went to sand and some experience a tad tacky,also they have like that enamel finish experience to them, is this normal. what should I exercise next?

Kathy on February 22, 2022:

I would like to repaint our oak cabinets that currently have black latex pigment with Benjamin Moore advance. The grain preciously was not filled but I would similar to exercise so this time just unsure if I can fill over the current paint and so unsure which primer to use over The latex. Thank you

Matt G. on October 24, 2022:

The person that told you that is wrong. You lot can absolutely utilise oil-based primer under Emerald to prime bare woods cabinets. Oil-based primer is splendid for priming cabinets. I utilize BIN shellac primer on cabinets because information technology dries a lot faster than oil and the odor goes abroad really fast with windows open. The smell doesn't linger for hours. The Extreme Bond primer yous're referring to is a bonding primer, not a primer sealer, then if the cabinets are bare and unpainted, this primer won't seal the woods to prevent bleed through. Don't use information technology on your cabinets. Prime number them with oil primer (cover stain primer and pro block are both good) or BIN shellac primer.

Rachel H on October 24, 2022:

I was told that using an oil based primer underneath SW Emerald paint that you use could cause separation down the road. Was I misled? SW is recommending I employ their extreme latex bond primer so I don't suffocate with the shellac primer and said I shouldn't use an oil primer nether information technology. Just y'all seem to be proverb that is what you do. What should I exercise?

Matt K. (author) from United States on October 16, 2022:

Don't use a 212 tip. The larger orifice throws too much material onto the surface. I recommend either a 210, or a 208 tip. I used a 210 for a long time, simply I've started using a 208 with better results. Coating thickness with the 208 is easier to command and the smaller orifice helps atomize textile better. I use the aforementioned tip for BIN primer and the enamel. I apply ii unlike airless sprayers at present, so I have dedicated pumps for paint and primer.

BIN would spray well through an HVLP without any thinning, simply because it holds less textile, you'll take to keep stopping to add more primer if you lot're spraying chiffonier doors. You all the same have to take everything apart and clean the gun thoroughly.

BIN sprays actually dainty through an airless, using the tip sizes I recommended. I similar it because I tin mix a couple gallons of primer together and work out of one container with my airless.

There's a few things you must exercise when spraying BIN through an airless to avoid problems. You need a dedicated sprayer to avoid a cleanup nightmare at the cease. This is really important. You absolutely must strain the primer first and keep the top of the tin can sealed with plastic while spraying.

For cleanup, run a heavy mix of ammonia/h2o through the pump and gun it go out it in the sprayer. Clean the filters thoroughly. The filters get chunky during cleanup, it'due south inevitable, but cleanup is easy past soaking them in ammonia, or denatured alcohol, and use the filter cleaning tool that came with your sprayer. I run iii to 4 gallons of ammonia water through my sprayer at the end.

Andy Mortensen from Maine on October 16, 2022:

Hello Matt,

Thanks for all the neat info! I accept a Graco Magnum X7 sprayer and have a question about the tips you apply...

Exercise you lot use size 210/212 for spraying both the Bin primer and Emerald Urethane.

I was because purchasing a Central Pneumatic HLVP for spraying the Bin equally it seems Bin cleanup might be a challenge in the Graco and I can utilise it on other projects. Whatsoever insight on spraying Bin with a HLVP?

Thanks a lot

Andy

Matt Grand. (writer) from United States on Baronial 07, 2022:

The caulking should be done later on you sand the filler and before priming. If y'all caulk earlier applying the filler the caulk can get damaged. I caulk before priming and then the primer seals it, only it's not a big bargain if you caulk after the primer. The two coats of paint over the caulk will cover it fine. Make sure you utilize white paintable caulk. I use the Quick Dry caulk in the green tube from Sherwin Williams.

AH5 on Baronial 06, 2022:

Thank you!

What virtually caulking?? Should I caulk earlier priming? Or am I already as well belatedly? Was I supposed to do it before wood filler?

Matt G. (author) from United States on August 05, 2022:

Sand off all of the filler and so it'southward only left inside the grain. When you apply the filler, apply it in thin layers like a skim coat so it's like shooting fish in a barrel to sand. The surface should be smooth to the impact later on sanding. You can wipe off the sanding dust with a tack textile.

AH5 on August 05, 2022:

Thank you so much for your respond! One more question about the filler – what should the door feel/wait similar after sanding The filler? I'thousand nervous my coats are too thick and I'll be leaving too much product on the door. My husband is having a hard time wrapping his caput around this part of the procedure ha ha

Matt G. (author) from Us on Baronial 05, 2022:

The steps that you outlined are correct, simply brand sure you lot rinse off the Krud Kutter and Klean Strip to prevent fish heart with the primer and paint. I oasis't used the Pro Industrial production you're referring to. I use the Emerald urethane with good results.

AH5 on August 03, 2022:

I'd REALLY appreciate if you could verify (reassure and calm my nerves) the method I've planned out for my cabinets:

-Scrub with krud kutter

-Wipe downward with klean strip sander de-glosser

-utilise grain filler

-sand/ remove dust

-prime with shellac BIN (I'm too nervous to spray in the house! Ive never masked anything off that intensely earlier!) So Nosotros're going to do our all-time rolling

- sand/remove grit

-prime

-spray paint in spray tent

-lightly sand/remove grit

-spray pigment

Allow cure for ~7 days

Did I miss anything?!? I'm so nervous to start!

** Besides, practise yous have whatever tips on using Sherwin Williams Pro Industrial waterbased alkyd urethane?? The SW rep told me it was as expert/amend than the emerald you're suggesting. (I'm hoping information technology's at least proficient, considering it was a pretty penny!)

Matt G. (author) from United States on June 14, 2022:

Ali,

You lot don't have to fill the grain if you want to see the cracks and grain more. Brushing and rolling the cabinets will piece of work the primer into the grain like filler would, but some cracks volition remain.

Ali on June thirteen, 2022:

Thanks so much!

One more question, when painting oak, I don't Accept to make full the grain with a filler, prior to the BIN, if I don't desire to, correct? If I want to keep the shape of the grain.

Matt Grand. (author) from United States on June 13, 2022:

Unfortunately, the latex primer should be removed through sanding and stripping. Basically kickoff over. Y'all want to start with a solid foundation and that starts with using the right primer.

Ali on June 13, 2022:

You're article is super helpful. Unfortunately I primed my oak cabs with a water-based kilz and it hasn't covered the bleed through (non shocking, now) In that location are three coats (!!) of it. Tin can I utilise the BIN Zinsser over this, without having to remove the 3 coats of primer?

Matt Chiliad. (author) from U.s. on June 01, 2022:

You tin, but the cabinets demand to be cleaned, sanded and primed commencement.

Matt G. (author) from U.s. on June 01, 2022:

I've honestly never used either of the products yous mentioned. I primarily do cabinet painting.

Dwight Brown on June 01, 2022:

Nosotros have cabinets that have been sprayed with stain and polyurethane was practical and it looks horrible. Can we pai t over the stain?

Melissa DeL on May 30, 2022:

Thanks so much for your communication. At that place are so many options out there. A friend recently used Minwax gel stain instead of painting and another used MW Polyshades & was happy. Going to test paint and these stains. Nighttime cabinets at present and we are going with black. Cabinets are non oak. We demand a glossy finish. If yous have thoughts on either Minwax pick I would capeesh your input. Cheers again for taking the time to answer. It's dainty to have communication from someone with solid experience!

Matt G. (author) from United States on May 29, 2022:

Melissa,

The store employee (salesman) gave you bad advice almost the primer. Extreme Bond Primer is a expert product, merely not for priming stained, unpainted wood cabinets. The primer is latex and it won't seal the woods to preclude tannin from haemorrhage into your paint. If your cabinets are oak, you're likely to get tannin bleed using latex primer, which looks horrible if you're painting them white. Use oil-based primer (Cover Stain), or shellac primer (BIN) and you lot won't have whatever issues. Solvent primer dries harder than latex too. The store was right almost using TSP for cleaning, but I like the product Gloss Off by Krud Kutter. Clean the cabinets, sand, caulk, prime number and pigment, 2 coats each. If your cabinets are oak, apply grain filler showtime.

Melissa DeL on May 29, 2022:

Thanks for your info. About to paint very one-time grimy kitchen cabinets stained wood. Purchased Southward/W Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel based on this thread. Southward/W recommended their Extreme Bond Primer. Also recommended TSP PF to clean them. Was wondering your thoughts on this primer and cleaner/degreaser. They also said afterwards cleaning, lightly sand to rough upwards wood. Your thoughts are appreciated!

Matt G. (writer) from United states on September 08, 2022:

Dean,

The process for prepping and painting laminate chiffonier boxes is similar to oak cabinets, except no grain filler is needed. Laminate should exist cleaned, sanded, primed, and painted. A good brush to use is the Purdy Forty in either the ii-inch or 2 ane/2-inch size. If y'all don't desire to spray, the flock foam roller from Sherwin Williams is good, or a regular foam roller. The foam roller minimizes stippling.

Dean Thou. on September 02, 2022:

Thanks for the great directions. What do yous do for cleaning,priming, and painting of laminate cabinet boxes? Do yous use the aforementioned products as for the oak doors? Also, I really don't desire to plastic-off my unabridged kitchen to spray the cabinet boxes - what brush or roller would you recommend? Thank you.

Matt G. (author) from Us on August 23, 2022:

Krobey,

I'd check with your Benjamin Moore dealer. I've never used Accelerate and so I'1000 not sure if information technology's compatible with BIN, just it would probably be fine. I ever telephone call commencement and enquire when using new products. BIN shellac primer is a good option. Zinsser Cover Stain is good besides for cabinets if you don't end up using BIN.

krobey on Baronial 22, 2022:

Thanks for your commodity. I have read many and this helps a lot. Question, I am painting my 18 year old ugly dear colored OAK cabinets with Benjamin Moore Advance paint in white.

Exercise you lot know if Zinsser B-I-Due north Interior Multi-purpose Shellac Primer is uniform with the BM Advance?

Thank you.

kabentley on March 04, 2022:

Thank you Matt for your help once over again!! I was but dislocated equally many have said use oil base to cover the tannin drain from oak and would recommend BIN. All this time I thought information technology was an oil based primer until I went to make the purchase. I just used the BIN and it went on very nicely. Regarding the Aqua Coat - the only place I had whatsoever crackling was in the crevices betwixt the inset and the panel. Seems to prevent that I would have to brand sure no Aqua Coat piled upwardly in these crevices. The crackling touch on is at present covered with caulk - so guess I'm adept. Appreciate your time and advise!

Matt Chiliad. (writer) from United States on March 03, 2022:

BIN is a shellac based primer. Cover Stain is oil based primer. Either one is fine for cabinets, but I similar BIN because it levels actually overnice over grain when spraying and dries faster. I oasis't had any problems with Aqua Coat cracking. I apply ii thin coats with a credit carte du jour and sand lightly before priming. I apply Quick Dry caulk (green tube) from Sherwin Williams.

kabentley on March 03, 2022:

I'm dorsum with more questions :) Above you state to use a OIL primer brand Zinsser BIN primer. I purchased Zinsser BIN Ultimate Stain Blocker primer. Domicile Depot said that was Non oil based and if I wanted to keep the tannin from coming through I needed Zinsser "Cover Stain" which IS oil based. Confused - you and many others have recommended BIN and accept referred to it equally oil based? Side by side trouble/question - I have used the Aqua Glaze to float the forest grain - it is a very crawly product and has done an amazing job. I problem - in the "crevice" where the inset is in the door panel - the Aqua Coat dried clear but crusty and crackled - I used very sparse coats just the filler that got up into the crack did not turn out so well. I know I will exist caulking next - simply this crusty crackle bugs me. Any propose? What type/make paintable caulk would you recommend for the cabinets?

Matt G. (author) from United States on February 26, 2022:

Thanks. I'm glad you found it helpful.

Mary on February 25, 2022:

Appreciate the detailed article. Having the information will be a big help in defining the steps I will wait to be followed by my contractor,

Matt G. (author) from United states on February 16, 2022:

I would clean, sand, fill up, prime, paint. If you brush them, the Purdy 40 Dale in the 2" or 2 1/two" inch size is proficient.

Jolene on Feb fifteen, 2022:

Thank you for the great info. Best article I've found however!

We have oak cabinets that were originally a dearest/Orange-ish colour with a satin tiptop coat. They were then lightly sanded and a dark stain was put on. However, a clear coat was never applied after the stain. Do you nevertheless recommend using a de-glosser and sanding or can we clean, make full and prime. Likewise, I'm not sure that attempting to utilise a sprayer might non finish in a huge mess for the states so wondering if there is whatever special brush y'all would recommended for the best end?

Matt 1000. (author) from Us on February 12, 2022:

I use a the green fine finish tips. Size 210 or 212.

ncharette on February 12, 2022:

Thank you for your your very informative article. With your Graco airless sprayer, what Graco fine end tip size practise you recommend for Zin BIN primer and what tip size practise you recommend for the Sherwin Williams pigment?

It appears y'all maybe using a RAC 10 SwitchTip. I am looking at looking at purchasing the Graco Pro210ES which uses the RAC IV SwitchTip.

Matt G. (author) from United States on February 09, 2022:

No problem. I'g glad you establish it helpful. Best wishes on your painting projection.

kabentley on February 09, 2022:

Thank you so very much Matt! Deeply appreciate your time and sharing your talent!

Matt G. (author) from United states on February 09, 2022:

Fill the grain after sanding, not before, otherwise the sander will pause down the filler and open the grain again. Then you would end up having to fill up information technology all over once again.

When sanding, yous don't take to sand aggressively down to blank wood, just plenty to remove gloss and dull the woods so it isn't smooth anymore.

Clean, sand, tack textile the dust, fill grain, caulk, prime, paint. You also demand to sand the grain filler very lightly one time it dries to shine out any bumps or ridges from the Aqua Coat. 220-grit sandpaper is fine for this and won't pause downwardly the filler with a light sanding.

Kabentley on February 09, 2022:

I repent - i practise have one more question (watched so many different videos) now I'm confused which is best. Watched your technique on how to apply aqua wood filler just a lilliputian confused on the grooming process prior to the wood filler. Have onetime stained/sealed oak cabinets. Do I 1) apply aqua Woods filler directly onto unsanded stain and sealed cabinets 2) sand, prime number then forest filler or 3) sand to raw wood and add wood filler? (Delight don't be option 3). :). I have a very large kitchen with tons of cabinets - prepared to put in a bazillion hours.

Matt G. (author) from The states on February 08, 2022:

You tin can use a rag to work the filler into the grain on rounded corners. For the grain filler itself, I recommend Aqua Coat over Sherwood. Since writing the article, I switched and information technology works better for me. I haven't practical poly over ProClassic acrylic. My local SW store really advised against it when I inquired about that once. The paint finish alone is durable when prepped correctly.

kabentley on February 08, 2022:

Thank you for the article! Question regarding filling the grain on oak cabinets - if you have fluted corners on all cabinets and decorative insets in the door panels - how do you apply a filler to smoothen out the grain in those type areas - too narrow or decorative to smooth grain with plastic spreader? Also, using the SW Pro Classic waterbase acrylic - practice y'all finish with any polyurethane on kitchen cabinets?

Matt G. (author) from United States on August 28, 2022:

Sherwood grain filler from Sherwin Williams works well. Apply the filler against the grain, using a rag or a plastic body filler spreader. Later the filler dries, buff the surface to remove the leftover balance.

Mimiberry on Baronial 27, 2022:

Thank you so much for this detailed commodity. I'm about to paint our dear oak kitchen cabinets SW Alabaster, and I don't want the grain to evidence. Exercise you advise a wood grain filler or other product or technique? Thanks in advance for your aid.

Source: https://dengarden.com/home-improvement/Tips-for-Painting-Oak-Cabinets

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