Expert: Eileen Cronk - 3/27/2008

Question
Hi,
I have standard kitchen cabinets that came with my home when I purchased
it I want to refinish by painting them but I do not want to see the wood
grain to show through the paint.  The are solid oak doors and facing.  What is
the process that I am to do from start to beautiful finish?  

Answer
Hi Donna
Nice to hear from you.
In my experience, there is just no way you can get rid of the grain in these cabinets unless you completely strip the finish off, sand the wood, apply a product called grain filler, sand again, possibly apply more grain filler, sand again, prime, then two coats of your paint. Thats the process Donna but what a huge job.
Even at that I cannot guarantee you will get a perfectly smooth paint job.
Is there any way you would consider just lightly sanding, a coat of primer them two coats of paint?
Maybe you could do a test to really be sure you cannot live with the wood grain. It actually adds tons of character.
I just hate to see you go to all that work on the oak cabinets then paint them.
Perhaps after stripping you may even consider a new stain and a clear coat finish.
I know how these oak cabinets look after a few years and we get very tired of the look, but its amazing how a refinish changes that.
And I am not in any way trying to discourage you (my hubby does that with me and I hate it LOL) If you are up for the work then great.
Get back to me if you need further help.
Kindest Regards
Eileen