Comments on: Say Goodbye to Oak Grain

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 22:15:26 +0000

You’re going to need to use an oil or shellac based primer on the new wood, as a water based primer will result in raising the grain. I would recommend a shellac based primer in general for oak since it keeps the tannins from bleeding through your paint job.

As for the 1000 grit sandpaper – I’ve never used that on cabinets that I’ve refinished, Not sure why that would be necessary.

By: Melissa Ardoin

Melissa Ardoin — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 16:12:00 +0000

Thank goodness for your article! However I have a few questions that I’d love for you to give me your opinion! Thank you!
I’ve painted numerous times but I’ve run into some major problems. I started with original oak “orangy” cabinets. Sanded 80, 120, 220. Primed with water based primer (2 coats), then painted white. As they were curing, my new neighbor came over and said you need to go over this with a 1000 grit… I didn’t know that grit existed. I listened to him because he is a cabinet maker. But will water based primer adhere to the smooth cabinet along with the paint? As of now I don’t see the wood through the newly painted white cabinets (2 coats primer and 2 coats paint). Should I use the grain filler for the rest of the smoothly sanded oak doors?

I also purchased unfinished cabinets to extend my kitchen. I put one coat of primer on a cabinet and after it dried… incredibly fast, I could still see all of the wood grain. I’ve sanded each up to a 320 but they still feel very rough. Is this where the grain filler would work the best? Does it adhere to the wood and smooth out the wood grain?

I have 6 different sized cabinets and 1 bar to do and I don’t want to have to repeat anything as much as I had to do with old oak cabinets. I will be using hybrid colored paint.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 00:56:09 +0000

In reply to Dave. Yes, it was a normal oak cabinet. As long as you use a good stain blocking primer, the grain should stay sealed in.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 00:09:17 +0000

Did that cabinet start as a normal oak cabinet (i.e. the oak orange/brownish color as the typical oak cabinet looks). Also, after the filler dried for a few days, was the grain still hidden well, or did it start to show through again?

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 19:43:55 +0000

In reply to Jennifer. Ugh - I would sand off as much of the finish as possible, and prime with an oil based primer to help with the roughness of the raw wood. You might need two coats, sanding in between. Topcoat with a good paint (PPG Breakthrough would be a good option, just make sure it's not the low VOC version, you want the 250 VOC).

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 19:42:13 +0000

In reply to vicki. If you can cover the grain really well, I think it would work! The great thing is that most doors cover a great deal of the frames to begin with, so that works in your favor.

By: vicki

vicki — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 12:54:49 +0000

What do you think of covering the grain in oak cabinets and then replacing the doors with maple? Will the finishes look the same after covering the grain in the oak?

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 23:42:24 +0000

We painted our unfinished cabinets white. Nothing but the paint was used. Big mistake. The cabinets are rough and you can see the grain. How can I fix this? Can I put anything over the paint so that it looks better?

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 01:38:15 +0000

In reply to Lois.

If he doesn’t sand, I wouldn’t hire him. Sounds harsh, but sanding is what gives the “tooth” that’s needed for the primer to stick to the cabinets. This video is a good demonstration of what I’m talking about when it comes to adhesion — https://youtu.be/ZlvZP4Z9Bsg?fbclid=IwAR3HdEbUFy9vdRu7toF9lUyL5uhWI93sq-mbblGYQP0W1e69cXborcZcAQg

By: Lois

Lois — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 02:29:09 +0000

My contractor said he didn’t have to sand my oak cabinets that 3 coats of primer will work. I’m very worried that not sanding is goi g to cause a future problem. Please advise