Good news for oak cabinet painters

15 years ago

After reading all the posts about painting oak cabinets, I did a quick paint job on a sample door of the same wood and got an effect I really liked. I decided to highlight the open grain with a light glaze instead of trying to hide it. Here's a picture (ignore red blotch on edge):

SO... I proceeded to paint all 18 doors and 15 drawers using the six step method I found on this forum. HUGE job- but once you get your tools and workspace setup, it goes pretty quickly. The problem? After using 2 coats of quality primer and 2 coats of quality paint, good brushes and sanding between coats...I no longer have any oak grain showing to "catch" the glaze! Here's a picture where you can see the glaze only in the moulding and no sign of oak grain. :(

Oh well, I am still happy with the results, just wish I realized I didn't have to work so hard! Also, I dragged that sample drawer around everywhere and it was tough as nails. No chips anywhere. I used Zinsser primer and BM Waterborne Impervo.

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Comments (4)

macybaby
15 years ago
I like the look of the first. I'm going with painted Oak because I like the grain showing through (these are new cabinets).

I had not planned on putting any glaze on mine, but maybe I'll experiment - I have lots of scrap to try it on. I've used the Waterborne impervo, and also love it for cabinets. My DH is making some shelves for his workroom, and I told him he could pick out any color he wanted, but it had to be Impervo or I wasn't doing the painting.
noellabelle
15 years ago
Your doors look exactly like mine, and I have 18 of them too! They're all spread out over my basement awaiting their 2nd coat of paint. Can't wait to see yours finished!
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maidielou
Original Author
15 years ago
macybaby- On the sample door I used Americana paint (from Hobby Lobby or Michaels - burnt umber) mixed with a glaze medium. I rubbed it in with a rag crosswise to the grain to get it into the grain then wiped off with a clean damp rag. Try it with just one coat of primer and one coat of paint!

Noellabelle- It was a happy day when the last coat was finished!
mbw1
15 years ago
After several weeks of sanding and painting I am at the end of my cabinet ordeal!LOL

We are painting our solid raised oak panel base cabinets in a U shape configuration(upper and lower) along with a wall pantry with Benjamin Moore Cabinet Coat, in Timid White. Minimum 3 coats on each the base and the 27 new MDF doors and drawer fronts.

I have 5 doors left that only need one coat each. I think I'm going to have a party or at the very least a drink of wine after I finish them tonight!!!

I chose to hand paint the new MDF doors as I personally like the handpainted look better than the sprayed on.
The Cabinet Coat is great to work with and gives a nice even finish.