How to Paint Pickled Cabinets

Remove all hardware from the cabinets, such as knobs and screws. Place the hardware in resealable plastic bags. Label the bags for easy replacement later.

Gently wash down new cabinets with a wet sponge and allow to dry. Sand the surface with the sandpaper to smooth out the raised grain. If the cabinets are pre-finished, prepare a solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP) according to manufacturer directions. Scrub the cabinets well and rinse thoroughly. Allow them to dry.

Apply the pickling stain to one or two cabinets at a time to prevent premature drying of the stain. Brush in wide sweeps. Allow the stain to sit on the wood for 10 minutes and wipe dry with a cheesecloth or lint-free rag. Allow to dry while you continue to the next batch of cabinets. Continue this technique until you have covered all cabinets with the first coat.

Apply a second coat of stain. Apply the stain to one or two cabinets at a time. Allow the stain to sit in the wood for 10 minutes and wipe dry with a cheesecloth or lint-free rag. Continue this technique until you have covered all cabinets with the second coat. Dark wood or pre-finished cabinets may require an additional coat.

Apply a thin coat of satin topcoat polyurethane sealer to all cabinet surfaces to protect the pickled finish. Allow to dry. Apply an additional coat according to manufacturer directions.