Transforming Oak Cabinet Panels With Paint: A Step-By-Step Guide (2024)

Painting oak cabinet panels can be a great way to update your kitchen or laundry room without the enormous cost of buying new cabinets. It is a straightforward project even for beginners.

The first step is to remove the cabinet doors and any hardware. Next, you will need to remove the shine from the oak cabinets using a deglosser. You should then fill in any dents or scratches with wood filler and sand the cabinet doors. After this, you should wipe the boards to remove any dust.

The next step is to prime the oak cabinet doors. You will need to apply two coats of primer, followed by two coats of paint. You can use a paint sprayer, brush, or roller to apply the primer and paint.

It is important to note that painting oak cabinets will not completely fill the wood grain, so if you want to achieve a completely smooth and professional finish, you may need to use a grain filler.

Remove cabinet doors and hardware

Removing the cabinet doors and hardware is the first step in painting oak cabinet panels. This process is simple and only requires a screwdriver to unscrew the hinges. It is important to keep the screws in a safe place as they will be needed later when reattaching the doors. Removing the doors ensures that all surfaces of the cabinet can be painted and reduces the chances of bumping into them while the paint is drying.

After removing the doors, the next step is to remove any hardware, such as knobs or handles. If you plan on reusing the hardware, it is important to keep them in a safe place. Otherwise, you can donate or sell them. Removing the hardware provides a smooth surface to work on and ensures that the paint job is consistent and uniform.

Once the doors and hardware have been removed, it is important to properly prepare the wood for painting. This includes removing the shine from the oak cabinets using a deglosser or sandpaper. This step is crucial as it ensures that the paint adheres well to the surface and helps create a seamless and professional finish. After removing the shine, use wood filler to fill in any dents or scratches, and sand the surfaces again for a smooth finish.

The next step is to sand the cabinet doors. Sanding is an important step in preparing the wood for painting and ensures that the paint will adhere properly. Use P60 or P80 grit sandpaper and start with the flat surfaces, followed by the corners and grooves. It is important to sand both sides of the doors and create a gritty texture. Orbital sanders and mouse sanders can be useful tools for this step, with the former being more suitable for flat surfaces and the latter for angled and detailed areas.

After sanding, it is important to remove the dust created by wiping down the boards with a tack cloth, baby wipes, or a damp cloth. This ensures that the surface is clean and ready for the next step, which is priming. Priming is necessary to achieve a professional finish and ensure that the paint adheres well to the oak boards. Use a brush to apply primer to all the crevices and edges, followed by a foam roller for the flat surfaces. Two coats of primer are usually recommended, and it is important to allow sufficient drying time between coats.

Clean the cabinet doors and boxes

Step 1: Remove the cabinet doors

Remove the screws from the hinges and take the doors off. There's no need to remove the hinges, you can work around them. Keep the screws in a safe place as you'll need them later.

Step 2: Remove any hardware

If you're going to reuse the hardware, keep it safe. If not, you can donate or sell it.

Step 3: Degrease and clean the cabinets

Use a heavy-duty degreaser to thoroughly clean the cabinet doors and boxes. You can use liquid dish soap such as Dawn, Simple Green, M1 liquid deglosser, TSP, or a product called Krud Kutter. Spray the cleaner onto a microfiber cloth or soft rag until it's damp but not soaking wet. Too much moisture can damage the paint or finish. Wipe each cabinet door and box from top to bottom, paying extra attention to any trim or moulding where dust and grime tend to accumulate. Don't forget to wipe the insides of the cabinet doors and the cabinet hardware.

You can also use a brush attachment on a cordless drill to dip into a TSP/water solution and pulse the drill to remove excess water. Place the brush on the cabinet surface and apply moderate pressure. Hold the drill's trigger so the spinning brush head can loosen and remove grease and grime buildup.

Step 4: Tackle crevices and hardware with a toothbrush

Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub hard-to-reach spots. Don't forget the crevices around the cabinet handles or knobs, and the edges of the cabinet doors.

Step 5: Wipe down with a damp cloth

Once you've cleaned the cabinets, go over them again with a clean cloth lightly dampened with warm water. This will remove any lingering cleaning solution or grime.

Step 6: Dry the cabinets

Letting the cabinets air-dry can damage or bubble the finish. Instead, use a soft cloth to dry all damp surfaces and buff them to a shine.

Step 7: Vacuum the cabinets

Use a brush attachment on a vacuum to suction every square inch of the cabinet doors and boxes. Then, wipe all surfaces with a dry microfiber cloth.

Sand the cabinets

Sanding is the most important step in preparing your oak cabinets for painting. It is crucial to scuff up the surfaces and create a gritty texture to ensure the paint adheres well and the finish is smooth and professional.

First, use an orbital sander to sand all the flat surfaces with P60 or P80 grit sandpaper. You don't need to sand down to the bare wood, but make sure you cover every part of the doors, including both sides.

Next, use a mouse sander to reach into corners and grooves. Mouse sanders have a triangular shape and vibrate to sand, making them perfect for detailed areas.

After you've sanded with the orbital and mouse sanders, use a tack cloth or baby wipes to remove the dust created by sanding.

Now, it's time to fill in any dents, scratches, or imperfections with wood filler and sand again for a smooth finish. If you're adding new hardware that requires drilling holes, fill the old holes as well.

Once the filler is dry, sand the cabinet doors again. This time, use 220-grit sandpaper attached to a hard sanding block. Sand until the primer or wood underneath feels smooth and powdery. Be careful not to sand too much in one area, as this can lead to an uneven appearance in the final paint finish.

Finally, vacuum the cabinets to remove any remaining dust. Follow this by wiping the surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth and then a tack cloth to ensure a perfectly clean surface.

Fill the oak grain with a grain filler

Filling the oak grain is an important step in achieving a professional, smooth finish. It is a challenging task that requires a lot of elbow grease but is worth the effort for a beautiful kitchen.

There are several methods and products available to fill oak grain, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. One option is to use a commercial grain filler, which can be purchased from specialty woodworking stores. These fillers come in two varieties: oil-based or water-based. However, it is important to note that water-based fillers tend to dry too quickly, making them difficult to work with.

Another option is to make your own grain filler using boiled linseed oil and pumice, a combination that has been used for centuries. The pumice becomes translucent when mixed with the oil, and its slightly abrasive quality helps create a filler that perfectly matches the colour of the wood. To use this method, begin by pouring boiled linseed oil onto the wood and rubbing it in with a cloth. Next, sprinkle pumice (grade 4F) over the surface and work it into the grain using a circular motion with a cotton cloth. Use approximately one teaspoon of pumice for every square foot of the surface, and add more oil if the mixture becomes chalky.

Examine the surface using backlighting to ensure that all the grain is filled, and then lightly wipe across the grain with a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess filler. Allow the filler to dry overnight, and then examine the surface again with backlighting. Some open-grained woods, such as oak, may require a second application. Let the filler dry for at least 72 hours before applying a clear coat. Most finishes are compatible with this type of filler, but a 2-lb cut of dewaxed shellac will ensure that any finish can be applied.

If you are unable to find pumice, plaster of Paris can be used as an alternative. Mix the plaster with water until it forms a stiff paste similar to drywall compound. This filler dries very quickly, so you will need to work in small sections. After packing the filler into the wood, let it dry, and then sand the surface with P220-grit paper. To turn the filler translucent, apply a coat of boiled linseed oil.

One product that has been recommended for filling oak grain is Drydex wall spackle. This can be mixed with a small amount of the sanding dust from the cabinets to help achieve a smooth finish. While this product is not a "magic solution", it can help to avoid the grain showing through completely.

Prime oak cabinets with an oil primer

To achieve a professional-looking, smooth finish that stands the test of time without peeling, chipping or cracking, priming is an essential step when painting oak cabinets. Oil-based primers are the best primers for oak cabinets. They are great at sealing and covering up stains, including blocking tannins.

Step 1: Clean your oak cabinets

Before priming, it is important to clean your oak cabinets thoroughly to ensure that the primer will adhere well to the surface. Use a heavy-duty cleaner, such as Krud Kutter, to remove any grease, dirt, hair, or food particles.

Step 2: Sand your oak cabinets

Lightly sand your oak cabinets to scuff up the existing finish and provide some grip for the primer. You can use a liquid sander or a de-glosser instead of sanding, but it is important to create a rough surface for the primer to adhere to.

Step 3: Remove doors and hardware

Remove all cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware. Number each door and drawer, and keep the hardware in labelled bags to make it easier to put them back.

Step 4: Prime with an oil-based primer

When priming oak cabinets, it is best to use an oil-based primer as it provides a better seal and stain-blocking properties. Some recommended oil-based primers include Sherwin Williams ProBlock Oil, Benjamin Moore Multi-Purpose Oil Base, and Fine Paints of Europe Oil Undercoat.

Thin the oil-based primer with mineral spirits before use. Apply the primer with a brush, roller, or sprayer. If using a sprayer, be sure to use a light coat to avoid drips.

Step 5: Sand the primer

Once the primer is dry, sand it lightly with fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit or higher). Sand until the surface feels smooth to the touch. This step will help you achieve a smooth, professional finish.

Step 6: Apply a second coat of primer

For the best results, apply a second coat of primer. This will ensure that you have a consistent base for your paint to adhere to and will help prevent any bleed-through.

Step 7: Sand the second coat of primer

After the second coat of primer is dry, lightly sand it again to smooth out any imperfections and create an even surface for your paint.

Now your oak cabinets are primed and ready for painting! Remember to choose a paint that is suitable for use with an oil-based primer, such as Benjamin Moore Advance. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.

Frequently asked questions