The Grain Question
Oak has deep, open grain. Paint goes over it but doesn’t hide it: you’ll still see the texture under the color. Some people like that look. If you want a smooth, modern finish, ask about grain filling: a filler is applied and sanded before priming. It adds labor and cost.
| Look | Process | Price impact |
|---|---|---|
| Grain shows through | Clean, sand, prime, paint | Base price |
| Smooth, like MDF | Add grain filler and extra sanding | Higher. Ask for it as a line item |
Tannin Bleed
Oak contains tannins that can show through light paint as yellowish or brown spots. A stain-blocking primer is the usual fix. Ask which primer the painter uses.
Dated Door Shapes
Cathedral-arch raised panels are a giveaway of the era. Paint helps, but the shape still shows. Some homeowners replace only the doors with shaker style and paint everything together (see paint vs. reface).
Hardware and Hinges
Oak cabinets from this era often have visible hinges. Switching to concealed hinges means drilling the doors and adds cost. New pulls may not line up with old holes, so plan for filling.
Is Your Kitchen This Era?
Wichita’s median home dates from 1974 (U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024). If your home was built before 1978, also read lead and older homes before any sanding starts.
Cost
See the cost page for per-door and per-linear-foot prices.
Request a Cabinet Painting Quote
Two quick questions. An independent cabinet painter that works in your area will contact you to see the kitchen and quote it.
Please note: Wichita Cabinet Painting refers homeowners to independent cabinet painters. We are not a contractor.