painting builder-grade oak cabinets: what I did

If, like me, you’re cursed with cheap, orange-hued, builder-grade oak cabinets, don’t despair.

BEFORE

There’s hope in a can of paint.

AFTER

When I decided to diy my kitchen (more on that story here), I crossed paths with a 2008 blog post from “Girl with Aspirin” that was linked up to a garden web forum.

I was more than inspired …

… I was obsessed.

I followed Girl with Aspirin’s instructions to a tee … and now I will recreate them for you here (I’d share a link but can’t find an active Girl with Aspirin blog).

Details:

1. Cabinets:  original oak cabinets, painted in Benjamin Moore Bittersweet Chocolate Satin Impervo Alkyd (oil-based) paint

2. Faucet: MOEN Lindley Single Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet in Spot Resistant Stainless ($218.00)

3. Walls:  Benjamin Moore Yarmouth Blue (blue-gray color)

4. Backsplash:   1” blue-gray glass mosaic tiles found at Tile Outlet Ltd. in Chicago for $3.99/square foot

Painting Supplies:

• BM Satin Impervo Alkyd (oil-based) in Bittersweet Chocolate
• Purdy angled brushes
• Small foam roller brush
• Thick plastic drop cloths
• Sandpaper and electric hand sander
• Tack cloths and rages
• Mineral spirits for clean-up

I followed these instructions in stages because I didn’t have room to paint all the drawers and doors at the same time. I also did some of the painting indoors (which I don’t recommend) but made sure the family was out of the house.  I opened the windows and doors and never, ever turned on the stove around those flammable fumes.

Finally, since I used an oil-based paint I skipped the priming step.

Painting Instructions:

1. Remove doors and drawers.

2. Clean doors, drawers and outside of boxes with soap and water.

3. Lightly sand outside edge of  boxes.  I wiped them down with damp paper towels and let it dry.

4. Paint the outside edges of the boxes. I used the foam roller at first and then went back with the Purdy brush to pull through and even it out and give it more of a “wood grain” look.  I didn’t paint the interiors and have no regrets!  Oh, and open all doors and windows and order take-out for dinner.

There’s no turning back now …

5. Sand doors and drawers (I only sanded the fronts).  Wipe clean.

6. Paint the backs of doors and insides of drawers first.  I first rolled on with a small foam roller and then immediately pulled through with the Purdy brush. Use thin coats to avoid drips.  It also lets some of the wood grain show through, which I liked.  It almost looks more like stain than paint.

7. Be patient.  Let the doors dry for — at a minimum — a full day.  If you can wait, give it a few days to avoid smudges when you flip them over.

8. Turn doors over and paint fronts the same way.  Since I had inset frames, I first used the brush to paint where the inset met the molding.  Then I rolled and pulled through with the brush.

9. Let cure for as long as you can stand it.  A week or more would ideal.  We lived like this for awhile:

The sink basin had serious water damage so we replaced it with a new cabinet.

10. Rehang doors.  We did ours in stages.  I had cabinet doors and drawers strewn about the house for weeks.

Just waiting on the new counter-top …

11.  I kept the paint can and brush handy for the next month or so for touch-ups.

I ended up only doing one coat and then going back here and there for some touch-up.  Just be careful not to overwork or you’ll end up with some weird brush stroke patches.

It’s been a year now and the cabinets have stood up really well.   I was a bit worried since I skipped the primer.

To “Girl with Aspirin” – wherever you may be – I send out a giant thank you!

Linking up with:
The Shabby Nest
Miss Mustard Seed
Lolly Jane Boutique
Under the Table and Dreaming
Home Stories A 2 Z
Savvy Southern Style
Domestically Speaking
Remodelaholic
Funky Junk Interiors
Addicted 2 Decorating
Dittle Dattle
Tatertots and Jello
Sisters of the Wild West