Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets
 

I'm about to start painting my old kitchen cabinets. These are 'oak' cabinets, finished with a light oak urethane type stain.

I will be painting cabinets with 'grey/charcoal' paint.
I don't wish to go to the time to sand the cabinets before painting, is there a chemical product I cab use to apply to cabinets to etch off the finish in prep for the new paint?

Last, what type paint should I use to refinish, it will be 'flat' luster.

Thanks for your feedback, much appreciated !

There are products that will cover the poly but I would still give them a light sanding and wash them with solvent.
I had my kitchen cabinets professionally done and they came out great, but they do tend to chip more easily than factory painted cabinets.
Oil base paints tend to stick better and take more abuse than latex.
I would go to a store that deals mostly in paint, like Sherman Williams or Benjiman more.
It's a lot of work to go through and have it not last.

Last night I saw a TV ad for a laser paint remover. I have no idea what the name of the product was but if it worked the way it did in the commercial, I would highly recommend it. It removed finishes off curved surfaces very efficiently with no contact other than the laser ray.

You are thinking of a deglosser.

The factory uses lacquer.

I personally would wash them with tsp. If not, then a little dish soap works. Need to remove the grease! Yes a light sand is needed. 180 grit works. You aren’t looking to remove the current finish just give the primer something to stick to. Find yourself a good bonding primer and that is your first coat. Second coat is the actual paint color. You should plan for a third coat. Not difficult just time consuming


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The advice from WinnisquamZ is dead on. Clean then lightly scuff so the primer will bite. We redid our cabinets about two years ago with this approach. Kilz3 primer and Benjamin Moore latex paint, eggshell finish. They look as good as the day we painted.

About 10 years ago I painted over oak cabinets with very little preparation.

I used color tinted bonding primer and then painted the second coat with the actual color. They have held up very well and with new hinges and handles look fine.

If you use bonding primer be sure to wear gloves. It is a lot harder to get off of your hands than regular latex paint.

Yes. Bonding primer does stick to everything. Just doesn’t cover worth a dam. In past jobs I have had to bond first then a traditional tinted primer over that. Then paint


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I was told by my painter that he hates doing oak because the grain still shows through? Can you see the grain in yours?

The grain will show through. Its oak


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No, the grain does not stand out. They are not perfectly smooth but to me, they look fine. I am not at that house now or I would post a picture. If I had to do it again I would do it the same way.

When I decided to do it the cabinets were (and still are) in great shape. The layout is such that there was no good way to change it if I bought new cabinets so it didn't seem worth it to spend the money on new. After painting I had new granite counter tops installed.

I did the same in my home in mass about 10 years ago but with little grandkids running around they have a fair share of scratches and chips now. But no regrets, it was an inexpensive remodel compared to completely new cabinets.
I didn't do them myself, I had a buddy of mine do them. At that time, he only charged me $1200.

I keep a can of that paint, and the other colors in the house, for touch up. Every couple of years I use a foam throw away brush and hit anything in the house that needs it. Looks good to me!

That is all that matters. Setting expectations is one key to a successful project completion


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If you've ever watched Cabin Masters there's an episode where Chase is straightening out a floorboard and there is still a space between the boards. He says "it's not perfect, but it's Chase perfect". When you're a DIYer you live by that rule. :D

Hahahah. Correct. I once told my son who was completing his first kitchen backsplash and discovered a few tiles were off center. “Just place the toaster there you will never see it”


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Real estate sales 101: throw rugs cover floor stains, placemats and lamps cover counter mishaps, music covers floor squeaks, baking bread covers cat smells, etc. etc.

Cabinets
 

I thought that is why area rugs were invented.

Not sure if you got your answer.