Paint Oak Cabinets White in 6 Simple Steps

Oak cabinets bring warmth and richness to any kitchen. But over time, the reddish tones can start to feel dated. Painting oak cabinets white can give your kitchen a fresh, modern look while avoiding the high cost of a full remodel.

Transforming oak cabinetry is easier than you might think, but does require some elbow grease. Follow these six simple steps for foolproof results.

Before You Start Painting

While eager to see those dark oak cabinets turn a crisp white, patience is key in prepping for success.

Choose the Right Paint

When painting oak cabinets white, it's essential to choose the right type of paint to ensure a smooth and long-lasting finish. Look for a high-quality acrylic latex paint that is specifically designed for cabinet refinishing. This type of paint dries quickly, adheres well to surfaces, and is easy to clean up with water.

Opt for a brand formulated especially for painting kitchen cabinets, like Benjamin Moore's Advance Paint line. And determine the sheen level you prefer - some options include eggshell for a soft glow or semi-gloss for a brighter, glassy finish.

Proper Surface Preparation

Before painting, thoroughly clean cabinet surfaces using a degreaser like TSP substitute to cut through grease and grime. This removes any debris that could get trapped under the paint. After cleaning, sand down surfaces lightly with 120 grit sandpaper to rough them up - this allows the paint to adhere better.

Finish prepping by using a tack cloth to pick up any remaining dust or particles before you begin painting.

Use a Primer

Priming is a non-negotiable step with oak cabinets. The wood grain texture and porous quality of oak means you need an effective primer to prevent bleed-through in your crisp white finish coat.

A high quality shellac-based primer is your best bet for blocking stains and sealing the wood properly. Apply two coats according to manufacturer instructions, sanding lightly between coats.

Fill Grain Texture

Even when thoroughly primed, oak's distinctive wood grain pattern has a way of making its presence known. Use a grain filler product to smooth texture prior to painting - this fills in pores in the wood.

Apply filler with a plastic spreader according to package directions and let it fully cure before sanding and applying paint. This prevents texture or stubborn dark grains from causing headaches later.

Painting Oak Cabinets White

With prep work complete, the fun part begins - seeing that fresh white paint transform your kitchen.

Remove Doors and Hardware

Painting doors while still hanging leads to drips and uneven coverage in hard to reach spots. Remove them from cabinets along with knobs and pulls before starting.

Take notes or pictures of your hardware placement so it gets reinstalled properly later. Then set doors, drawers and hardware aside (a cardboard box works) to paint separately.

Apply First Coat

It's best to use an angled trim brush rather than a roller when painting cabinets. This allows you to feather out paint and work it into recesses for a smooth finish. Apply your first coat using long, even brush strokes and work systematically from top to bottom of the cabinets.

Paint doors and detachable surfaces separately at the same time - fully cover all edges and ends for best results.

Lightly Sand and Clean Surfaces

After waiting the manufacturer-recommended drying time (often 24 hours), lightly sand cured surfaces with 220 grit sandpaper. Then wipe clean.

This deglosses cabinets so the next coat of paint bonds tightly. It also smooths out any drips or uneven paint lines for a flawless final finish.

Second and Third Coats of Paint

Follow by quickly applying a second coat of paint, using the exact same brushing technique as before. This ensures you didn't miss any spots the first time around.

After drying fully, apply a third and final coat focusing on edges, grooves and hard to reach spots that are most prone to lacking coverage.

Let the fresh painted cabinets cure for several days before reattaching doors and hardware.

Finishing Touches

Once painted cabinet boxes, doors and drawers have dried thoroughly, putting your kitchen back together again is rewarding.

Reinstall Doors and Hardware

Refer back to your notes and reattach each door right where it was originally. Before tightening down door hinges too firmly, open and close to ensure proper clearance.

Swap out old hardware for newer brushed nickel or chrome pulls and handles that better complement your updated white cabinets.

Clean Up and Protect Finish

Remove any splatters or paint drips from workspaces using a lint-free cloth and avoid abrasives - the finish is still delicate. Wipe down painted surfaces gently.

Applying a sealant layer is also smart for protecting your painted oak cabinets from accidental nicks, water splashes or grease splatters during everyday use.

Step back and admire your brilliant handiwork. Then redecorate your backsplash, countertops and flooring to match the light and airy new aesthetic.

Small updates like new lighting fixtures and chrome appliance accents also complement and capitalize on your new white kitchen.

You can save thousands on a big renovation with a little planning and elbow grease. Let those fresh white oak cabinets shine!