BEAT UP Oak Kitchen Cabinets | Complete TRANSFORMATION

This kitchen started as a dark, worn 1980s oak setup — heavy grain, tired finish, and plenty of problem areas. In this full follow-along makeover, I show how we transformed it into a clean, modern white kitchen with a smooth, durable finish.

You’ll see the entire process, including:
Proper cleaning and prep
Taping and job setup
Filling open oak grain
Priming and spraying
Handling tricky details like brick and custom doors

This is a realistic cabinet transformation — the same approach I use on real jobs — shown clearly so you understand what matters and why.

I’ve been painting cabinets professionally since 2001.

Start with the plan (don’t skip this)

Before sanding or buying products, this planner helps you understand the full cabinet painting process and timeline.

👉 FREE Kitchen Cabinet Project Planner
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New to cabinet painting?

This page explains the full system — from prep to finish — so you’re not guessing as you go.

👉 Start Here – Cabinet Painting Done the Right Way
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The system behind a smooth white finish

Clean surfaces, proper prep, and correct sequencing matter more than any single tool.

👉 The Cabinet Prep System
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Painting oak cabinets?

Open grain is the biggest reason painted oak still looks textured. Grain filling is the step most people skip.

👉 Cabinet Mud – Grain Filler for Oak Cabinets
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Protecting the finished cabinets

Once the job is done, proper cleaning and maintenance help the finish last.

👉 Cabinet Shine – Cleaner & Polish
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If you’re painting oak cabinets for resale or upgrading your own kitchen, this video shows what it actually takes to do it right.

Questions about your cabinets? Drop them in the comments — I’m happy to help.

— Ryan
DIY Painting