How To Paint Oak Cabinets

Learninghow to paint oak cabinets is not difficult. All that is required is to perform each step in the most thorough manner and no step should be skipped over. In fact, each step has to be completed carefully and there is no need to rush anything. Simple things such as removing the cabinet doors should not be overlooked even though the temptation to leave them on is quite strong. It is also important to devote enough time to give the cabinets a good finish.

What you need to have on hand

Screwdriver
Fine grain sandpaper
Grain filler
Primer
paint

Here is a look at the different steps that have to be completed in order to paint oak cabinets.

1. Prepare the cabinet

Start by preparing the cabinets for the painting work. The first step therefore is to remove all items of hardware from your cabinet including the knobs, hinges and then clean the cabinet thoroughly. Take out the doors and give them a good scrubbing and clean the cabinet with some product that helps in removing grease. Allow everything to dry up completely and then do the preparatory work prior to sanding the cabinets.

2. Roughen the surface

There is no need to do a lot of sanding. In fact, it is enough to roughen up the surface so that it becomes suitable for the primer to adhere to it. Fine-grain sandpaper will do nicely and only sand those surfaces that you will be painting later on.

3. Apply grain filler

It is also necessary to apply some grain filler. This can either be clear or neutral tone, or when applying it be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Applying the grain filler helps in evening out any variations in depth of the cabinet’s oak grain. Allow sufficient time for the grain filler to dry up and then sand it lightly in order to make the surface ready for the application of the primer.

4. Prime the cabinet

Now it is time to prime the cabinet. Oak wood has lots of natural patterns in the wood grain. To hide these patterns, it is often necessary to apply two coats of primer. Spraying the primer is recommended as it helps to prevent stroke marks from becoming visible.

5. Paint the cabinet

After priming the cabinet and allowing the prime to dry out completely, it is then time to paint the cabinet. For a smoother surface you will do well to apply the paint by spraying it. For an antique look or for a country cottage look the best option is to apply the paint with a paintbrush as it will leave natural stroke marks. In case you opt for oil-based paint, then it is important to give sufficient time (up to two days) for the paint to dry out. It is up to you to choose between latex paint and oil-based paint. Also, you may want to use medium or high-gloss paint on your cabinet. High gloss paint is easier to cleanand it will show marks more clearly as compared to matte paint.

After applying a coat of paint, be sure to sand the surface lightly. This is all it takes to paint your oak cabinet.