Painting Over a Grainy Looking Oak Cabinet

Oak is known to be a grainy wood. Even when painted, some of the grain tends to show through unless you thoroughly sand and prime the piece. However, if you don’t like the look of an oak cabinet you can paint over it as long as you do the prep work involved. Multiple layers of paint and primer will greatly reduce the graininess of the wood and leave you with a smooth finish to be proud of.

Screwdriver
150-grit sandpaper
Sander
Vacuum
Primer
Paintbrush
Latex paint

Instructions

- 1
  Unscrew the hardware from your oak cabinet, and set the hardware aside.
- 2
  Attach the sandpaper to the sander, and gently sand the oak cabinet to remove any finishes. Sand the oak until it’s dull and chalky looking.
- 3
  Use the brush attachment to vacuum up any sawdust from the oak cabinet.
- 4
  Apply the primer to the entire oak cabinet with a paintbrush. Allow the primer to dry for 48 hours. Repeat the process one to two more times. If the oak is still grainy, you can sand it again after you apply the primer. If you sand again, remember to add an extra coat of primer afterward.
- 5
  Paint the cabinet with latex paint. Allow the cabinet to dry for 2 to 3 days between each coat of paint. Apply two to three coats of paint until you get the color you desire.

How to Paint a Door Like Weathered Wood

How to Paint Over Painted Furniture Without Sanding

Paint & Wallpaper