Will the wood grain still show?
With a standard painted refinish, some grain can remain visible on open-grain woods like oak. Additional grain-management preparation produces a smoother look.
material guide
Refinishing Cabinets with a Painted Finish
The short answer
A painted refinish applies an opaque color over prepared cabinet surfaces, so wood grain is de-emphasized and color coverage is uniform. It suits cabinets that are structurally sound when you want a color change without changing the door style.
What a painted refinish does
An opaque coating covers the existing color and lets you change to a new painted color while keeping the current doors, fronts, and layout.
Preparation for paint
Surfaces are cleaned, deglossed, sanded, repaired, and primed so the paint bonds. On heavily grained wood, additional preparation is needed if you want a smoother appearance.
Choosing color and sheen
Color, sheen, and any two-tone or island contrast are planned up front so masking and coordination are handled during the project.
Common questions
Can I change from stained to painted?
Yes. Moving from a stained appearance to an opaque painted finish is a common refinishing goal on suitable, sound cabinets.
Related
Plan your project
Document your cabinet scope and goals for a project-specific cabinet refinishing estimate.
Build my quote