Painting the Oak Bathroom Cabinets Black

Remove cabinet doors and drawers from the frame. Use a screwdriver to take off hinges, knobs and handles and set them aside.

Place a drop cloth on the floor of the bathroom as well as another in a well-ventilated work area -- preferably outdoors. Tape off the area where the wall meets the cabinets with a 2-inch wide layer of painter’s tape.

Place cabinet drawers and doors on the drop cloth in the well-ventilated work area. Set an oscillating fan in the bathroom on high, as well as turn on the overhead vent and open the windows for proper ventilation during stripping and painting.

Apply a thin coat of liquid varnish remover to the cabinet frame, doors and drawers, using a paint brush. Allow the varnish remover to sit for the set amount of time listed on the instructions. Varnish will begin to bubble up when the product starts working. Wear gloves and a safety mask to prevent contact with the harsh chemicals.

Test a small section of the wood after the wait time is up. Use a putty knife in a small corner to see if the varnish peels away from the wood’s surface easily. If so, continue to peel away the paint using the putty knife. If not, allow the varnish remover to sit for an additional 10 minutes and try again.

Equip an orbital sander with 80-grit or another type of coarse grit sandpaper. Sand the surface of the cabinet frame, doors, and drawers to smooth away any remaining varnish as well as even the surface of the wood.

Wash the cabinets using a solution of TSP and warm water. TSP is found at paint or hardware supply stores in both powder and liquid form. Mix the cleaning solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions for bare wood or unfinished surfaces. Allow the cabinets to dry.

Apply a thin coat of latex-based primer to the cabinet doors, drawers and frame. Use a paint roller for the majority of the surfaces and a 2-inch paintbrush for the hard-to-reach areas. Allow the primer to dry overnight or for at least 12 hours.

Paint on a thin coat of a latex-based semi-gloss paint on the cabinets. Use a semi-gloss that is mildew and mold resistant and specifically designed for high-moisture areas -- like a bathroom. Allow the first coat to dry until it is no longer tacky to the touch. Apply a second coat of the black paint to ensure the color is even and without blotches. Allow the cabinets to dry overnight.

Reattach hardware pieces to the doors and drawers and reinstall in the bathroom.