Yes, it is possible… with the proper prep which includes Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Based Primer and Sealer and Benjamin Moore Advance Paint. In fact, I do not recommend sanding when painting oak kitchen cabinets white, here’s why… sanding can release tannin in the wood which in time can bleed through your beautiful white cabinets and to make matters worse, water-based paints do not seal the wood to assure that this won’t happen. This is where the Zinsser primer comes in. Because it’s a stain-blocking primer with a shellac base, it will seal the wood. After much research I discovered that this is the go-to primer used by professionals when they’re painting oak cabinets. That makes it a win for me! Also, it can be used with water or oil-based paints.

Products Used When Painting Oak Kitchen Cabinets…

Benjamin Moore Advance Waterborne Alkyd Paint

I went with this paint because it showed up on forums again and again as being the best choice for cabinets. Since kitchen cabinets take a lot of abuse you want durability and this paint gives you a hard enamel-like finish. Additionally, due to the fact that I was using a brush and roller instead of spraying my cabinets it was important to find a paint that was “self-leveling” meaning it would fill in to cover brush and roller marks. I think it worked really well!

Is painting kitchen cabinets without sanding too good to be true?

Here’s the thing, conventionally you would always be told to sand everything down to the bare wood. However, using the shellacking primer cuts out the need for sanding. I’ve re-finished many pieces and I find that it really isn’t necessary to kill yourself sanding things when you use the right products! If you’re nervous about taking on such a big project, why not experiment with just one. Remove one cabinet front and go through the entire process to get a feel for it. Or, start on a smaller project such as a bathroom vanity cabinet refinish. Another idea, if you have a Habit Restore Center in your area you can pick up a cabinet front for a couple of bucks and use it as a test subject.

I think you’ll find it to be much easier than you think and it’s sooo worth it!

What is the finish like?

Using satin finish paint produces a smooth, clean finish. I believe using the BIN primer covered some of the wood grain but not all of it. You can see it a bit if you look closely but definitely not like you did with the oak color. Lastly, the finish is not as smooth as you would get with a chalk paint but I was more concerned with the durability and wipe-ability needed in a kitchen. Overall, I’m very happy with the results!

How long does it take to paint kitchen cabinets?

It took me about three days, working a few hours at a time. I spent a few hours taking off doors, labeling and wiping the doors and frames. About an hour lightly scuffing doors. A couple hours priming, by the time I finished the first coat (it took about two hours) the doors I started with were ready for the second coat. Next day, a few hours painting the first coat of paint. Waited another day and finished with last coat of paint. Waited five days before hanging doors. I installed the knobs and cup pulls about a week later (after I finally made a decision on what to go with). 😉

What you’ll need:

Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Based White Interior Primer and Sealer, 2 quarts

 Benjamin Moore Advance Paint (I did not even use a half gallon)

3M Scotch-Brite General Purpose Hand Pads (Maroon) x2

4-inch foam rollers

2-inch Angled Brush for primer

1 ½ inch Angled Brush for paint

Wood filler (if needed)

TSP Cleaner & De-Greaser

Drop cloths (I use vinyl shower curtains from Dollar Tree)

Lint free cloths

Painter’s Tape

The process:

Removing Cabinets & Hardware

Draw a diagram of kitchen and number all cabinets and drawers.

When removing cabinet fronts label each with the corresponding number (I used a Sharpie inside of the area where the hinge was & covered it with tape).

Place all hardware for each cabinet in its own ziploc sandwich sized bag & write the number on it.

De-Greasing

Use a diluted solution of TSP to wipe down cabinets and frames thoroughly. Follow directions on box.

Scuffing

I used a 3M Scotch-Brite Hand Pad (Maroon) just enough to take some of the shine off the cabinets and frames. I found these in the sandpaper section at Home Depot. You are not trying to sand them! You only want to lightly scuff them and go with the grain. I literally only spent a few minutes on each one.

Wipe down with clean dry cloth to remove all dust.

Masking

Tape all areas around frames where they meet with walls and appliances.

Prime

I used small empty cans to prop up my cabinet fronts while painting. (Cheap alternative to risers, ha!) Stir well before using. Apply primer using a two-inch angled brush. I tried using a foam roller, but I had trouble getting it on evenly. Work quickly as it dries fast! (Do not use a fan) Start in the corners and recessed areas, working outward and apply with the direction of the grain. It will look streaky with one coat, don’t worry, the second coat will cover most of that. Wait two hours and apply second coat. (Don’t forget to do cabinet frames too at this time) My cabinets were pretty dark, and they only took two coats.

* Clean up with ammonia.

Paint

I waited 24 hours before painting.Using an angled 1 ½ “brush start in the corners and recessed areas. Use the brush on all recessed areas and finish large flat areas using a foam roller. Be careful to wipe any pooled paint in corners. Use a roller on the frames.Apply second coat after waiting at least 16 hours. I did not sand between coats.

Using an angled 1 ½ “brush start in the corners and recessed areas. Use the brush on all recessed areas and finish large flat areas using a foam roller. Be careful to wipe any pooled paint in corners. Use a roller on the frames.

Apply second coat after waiting at least 16 hours. I did not sand between coats.

Allow cabinets to dry at least 3 days before hanging. It takes about 30 days for the paint to completely cure and harden to full durability.

If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments section below and I’ll do my best to answer them! Also, if you take on this project I’d love to hear about it and if you have pictures… even better!:)