Question about cabinet distressing

Donna
by Donna
I have builder grade Oak cabinets that the previous owner painted over a dark brown almost black gloss. I want to make them antique white and distress them for a more rustic look. It feels too dark, any help on how is appreciated.
  15 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 12, 2017

    You will have remove the existing finish for the paint to adhere. Try Citristrip which is a safe non-toxic stripper ,Clean,prime ,paint and seal with a non-yellowing polycrylic (such as min wax sealers)

  • William William on Jan 12, 2017

    You can also lightly sand the cabinets to remove the shine. Prime with Kilz, Bin, or Zinsser primer. Then paint with your color.

    • Dee Dee on Jan 19, 2017

      Make sure you use a blocking primer. All three of those primers have different grades.

  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Jan 12, 2017

    Just paint over them with chalk paint to get the finish you want. It will allow the dark color to come through and should look great.

    • See 1 previous
    • Dee Dee on Jan 19, 2017

      I have a friend who chalk painted her kitchen cabinets and sealed with wax. The cabinets look horrible a year later, because the wax attracts dirt, grease etc. If you use chalk paint be sure to seal with an acrylic water based sealer.

  • Robert Chickey Robert Chickey on Jan 12, 2017

    It is not necessary to remove the existing coating, in fact, you can use that color as the base coat. You will have to clean the cabinets with TSP (tri-sodium phosphate). Then sand them significantly to remove the sheen. Clean the cabinets and apply 1-2 coats of primer. Then chose your paint color, apply, let it dry. When it has dried, lightly scuff areas where you would like the base color to come through the top color. Experiment with different sanding techniques before you attempt to start this process. After you have completed this stage, you have a couple of options. You can apply a wax (clear or pigmented) over all surfaces and wipe off the excess. Or you can purchase waterborne acrylic lacquer. This can be brushed or sprayed. Personally, I would use less than a satin sheen.

    The top coats aren't really for protection. They are for completing the look you envisioned.

  • Jokarva Jokarva on Jan 13, 2017

    I don't think I'd even prime them unless you're going to paint oil over existing latex. Just sand the sheen down, paint with flat paint of your choice, distress, glaze if you wish, then cover with a couple of coats of wipe-on poly (satin is what I use). I did my old kitchen this way and the cabinets turned out, and held up, great.


  • Jackie Gulick-Dunn Jackie Gulick-Dunn on Jan 14, 2017

    I would not distress them up too much. Your backsplash is very busy and you'll add to the busyness if you distress a lot. Just my two cents :-). Beautiful kitchen!

  • PainterNoni PainterNoni on Jan 14, 2017

    Gee, I really like the cabinets the way they are...........perhaps if you have other things you need to do in your house, do them first. Then, if you still want to change your cabinets, go for it. I agree with Jackie Gulick-Dunn.......I think heavy distressing would clash with the backsplash. If you must change the color, pick the lightest color in the backsplash, and maybe dry brush very lightly in the next darker backsplash color. Or you could change the backsplash........but that could get really pricey. You might just try to paint the upper cabinets a nice ivory, and leave the bottom ones alone. this would brighten the kitchen, but sitll be simple and uncluttered.


  • Lori Kunze Lori Kunze on Jan 15, 2017

    I agree with the two people above -- distressing will be too busy! Perhaps you can try to reduce the sheen on them (suggestions here: http://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/71996/is-it-possible-to-de-gloss-paint) to see if that makes you happier. Painting only the upper cabinets in a lighter color would be a lot less work and would have the desired lightening effect.

  • Robby Treichel Robby Treichel on Jan 15, 2017

    Yup, yup and yup! The three above are your best responses. Although some of the other folks have very good advice for finishes, the over-all decorating advice is not to be over-looked.

  • Jane Jane on Jan 15, 2017

    I also love your kitchen. I wish mine looked half as good. I'll be refinishing mine soon and choosing a similar dark, rich color. I think the distressed look has been over done and the trend is heading back to a more timeless traditional look. As above live with it for a bit see if it doesn't grow on you.

  • Lindcurt Lindcurt on Jan 16, 2017

    Painting only the uppers would be the way I would go. I'm basically lazy. Your antique white would be a good choice. I agree that the distressing would be too busy. I really don't care for the sheen on the lower cabinets but I would not change that until I got the Ivory done to see if I could live without painting the bottom ones. I know you didn't ask about it, but he floor color is what bothers me. The material looks like tile, but I think it is too yellow. Maybe something in a little more platinum blonde. It may be something you will have to live with due to the price to replace or refinish it. The curtain needs to be without pattern because of the back splash pattern.

  • Eloise Eloise on Jan 16, 2017

    Look into using Rustoleum's Cabinet Transformations, (http://www.rustoleum.com/en/product-catalog/consumer-brands/transformations/cabinet-transformations-light-kit) then search for how to distress furniture here on the Hometalk site. There are myriad posts on the subject. I used the Rustoleum product on a bathroom vanity 3 years ago and it still looks great.

  • Donna Donna on Jan 16, 2017

    Thanks everyone I appreciate your help and ideas it gives me more to consider before moving forward!

  • Gib6732847 Gib6732847 on Jan 17, 2017

    Lightly sand to remove the glossy finish and then apply wax to protect them. Your kithen is beautiful.

  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Jan 19, 2017

    I use a poly sealer and if you wax correctly (buffing it withe an electric buffer) it does not do that. Mine are fine.