If you’ve ever tried painting oak cabinets, you’ve probably noticed something frustrating: even after primer and paint, the deep wood grain still shows through. That’s because oak has a very open pore structure that leaves visible texture. For homeowners who want a sleek, modern look, the solution is to fill and level the grain before painting.

Kitchen with golden oak cabinets before refinishing, showing dated grain and finish.

Oak cabinet doors sanded and prepped in workshop before priming and painting.

What Is Grain Filling?

When most people talk about “grain filling,” they mean using a paste filler to close the open pores in oak. At Craft & Revive, we take a different, more durable approach.

We use a complete refinishing system from the same manufacturer, starting with one coat of sealer and followed by multiple coats of high-build primer. Because every layer is designed to work together, there are no adhesion problems, and the finish is highly chip-resistant with a long-lasting, professional durability you can count on.

Think of it as building up a perfectly smooth, compatible foundation so your final paint finish not only looks flawless but also holds up beautifully over time.

Why Smooth Out Oak Grain?

Smoother Paint Finish – White and light colors especially highlight the deep grooves of oak. If the texture isn’t dealt with properly, the grain shows through no matter how many coats of paint you add. By sealing and priming with a professional high-build system, we completely level the surface so the final paint looks smooth, clean, and high-end.
Modern, Updated Look – Visible oak grain gives a more traditional or rustic feel. By eliminating the heavy texture, cabinets instantly shift into a sleek, modern style that works with today’s kitchen designs — from crisp white shaker doors to bold navy or charcoal finishes.
Stronger, Longer-Lasting Finish – Because we use one complete refinishing system from the same manufacturer — sealer, high-build primer, and topcoat — each layer bonds seamlessly with the next. That means no hidden compatibility issues, no peeling, and far greater chip resistance. The result isn’t just beautiful on day one; it’s engineered to stand up to years of daily kitchen use.

Tools & Materials

For a professional oak cabinet refinishing system, we typically use:

Sandpaper (fine grits for surface prep and leveling between coats)
Vacuum & tack cloths for thorough dust removal
Professional sealer (one coat to lock down the wood)
High-build primer (two coats to fill and smooth the grain)
Sprayer for the smoothest, most even application
Professional-grade cabinet paint topcoat for a durable, long-lasting finish

Step-by-Step Process

Prepare the Wood
- Remove doors and hardware.
- Sand all surfaces with 150-grit sandpaper. This ensures a thorough, even prep and creates the mechanical adhesion needed for the sealer and primer to bond properly.
- Vacuum and wipe clean.
Seal the Surface
- Apply one coat of sealer to lock down tannins and create a solid base. We use ICRO W-300 2K Water-based White Sealer and Isolator.
- This also starts the pore-filling process.
Build with Primer
- Spray on the first coat of high-build primer (ICRO W-416 2k Primer)
- Sand smooth once dry.
- Apply a second coat of primer, which fully levels the oak grain.
Final Sand & Finish
- Sand with 320 grit until the surface feels completely smooth.
- Apply your paint (W-5500 1K/2K Clear Topcoat) for a flawless finish.

Close-up of oak cabinet door sanded smooth after primer, preparing for final paint finish.

Oak cabinet door with first coat of primer applied, grain still visible during refinishing process

Refinished oak cabinet door painted white, smooth and modern finish

Oak cabinet door refinished in bold navy blue, chip-resistant smooth finish.

Angled view of oak cabinet door painted navy blue with professional refinishing system.

Close-up of refinished oak cabinet door in smooth gray finish after primer and paint.

Refinished oak cabinet door painted gray, smooth and durable finish after sealer and primer.

Pro Tips for the Best Results

Spray, Don’t Brush – Spraying primer and finish coats ensures the smoothest, most professional result.
Don’t Skip Sanding – Each sanding step not only makes the surface flatter and more refined, but also creates the mechanical adhesion needed for each coating layer to bond properly.
Choose the Right Primer – Not all primers are high-build; we use professional-grade products designed for leveling oak.

Real Results: From Grainy Oak to Modern Smooth

We’ve refinished countless oak kitchens in the Dayton area, transforming dated, grainy cabinets into sleek, modern showpieces. The difference is night and day — not just in look, but in how the space feels.

Imagine your golden oak cabinets, smoothed out and finished in a crisp white, soft gray, or deep navy. With our sealer and high-build primer system, the heavy oak texture is gone, leaving you with a clean, modern surface.

Thinking About Updating Your Oak Cabinets?

At Craft & Revive, we specialize in refinishing oak cabinets with professional prep techniques that deliver a perfectly smooth finish. If you want to update your kitchen without replacing your cabinets, we’d love to help.

📍 Serving Dayton, Centerville, Springboro, Kettering, and surrounding areas.
📞 Contact us today for a free consultation.

Would you like to learn more about our process? Visit our cabinet refinishing services page to see how we transform kitchens with a chip-resistant, long-lasting finish.

Or, if you’d like a step-by-step breakdown of the entire process, check out our full cabinet refinishing blog post.