How To Fill Grain In Wood. OAK Kitchen Cabinet Makeover.

How to fill grain in wood. Painting kitchen cabinets and filling oak wood grain before painting. Aqua Coat: goo.gl/wWT748 grain filler instructions. Removing wood grain and how to paint oak doors.
Watch my cabinet painting series: goo.gl/jhhPWG
Aqua Coat grain filler: goo.gl/wWT748
Home improvement tips, tools, projects, hacks and more! Oh, and how to paint a house for the DIY or professional painter. You home repair headquarters.
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of The Idaho Painter (or Chris Berry), I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. The Idaho Painter assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. The Idaho Painter recommends safe practices when working on any structure and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of The Idaho Painter, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from use or improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not The Idaho Painter.

[@pattih3690]

Your videos are always so helpful and full of great information. Thanks so much!

[@danyodice1048]

Very cool stuff. Just getting into woodworking and I'm happy I found your channel.

[@jacqjacq5920]

Good information. I plan on painting my bathroom cabinets. Thanks for your tips!

[@johnny.9879]

Looks great. Will be attempting to paint/laquer my new cabinets in the near future. Little intimidating but think i will give it a shot. Been watching lots of cabinet painting-spraying videos.

[@robinyoder1063]

Thanks for the video. Good job on explaining technique! this was just what I was looking for.

[@jade2368]

Thank you so much for the amazing videos & tips you share with all of us. You're a true gift on KZbin. I almost watched all your videos & finally ready to get my kitchen done. God bless you & your family 👍

[@Idahopainter]

Thank you very much for the support :)

[@elkcountrypaintsllc7067]

Awesome tip! Thanks Chris.

[@Idahopainter]

Glad to help

[@BrettKaye]

Really appreciate this video. Thanks for making it.

[@POLOLOUS3]

Hi Chris, that looked pretty good. I was referred by a person who refinishes piano's to try Old Masters Woodgrain Filler. It works really well. Even with a glare over the piece the finish is flawless. You can't see where any grain is.

[@harleyanne3720]

Thanks! I've learned so much from your videos.

[@Idahopainter]

Glad to hear! Thank you for watching :)

[@cactusqueen6417]

Awesome! I’ve been researching and searching for something to fill the grain in soft pine wood!!! I’m going to try this, and I thank you so much for your KZbin! Now, on to finding and watching your other videos!!👍👍👍

[@Squeaks281]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@Idahopainter]

You are welcome!

[@tommcdavid9917]

I have 30+ years of painting and finishing under my belt ...... pro tip, always sand between every coat. That goes for grain filler, sand sealer, everything. I enjoy ya videos. Keep em coming.

[@smattt]

Hand sand or is an ROS okay? Also fine to super fine grit for wood filler and primer?

[@samuelmartinez6134]

Me encantan tus videos compadre ! Saludos desde CD Juárez chihuahua, i will work 10 years en San Diego of painter and now i live en Juárez but i like view your videos , son muy buenos en esto , say hi to sammy en your next video 😊😊😊

[@moncyesthervarughese7488]

Thankyou! Redoing my parents house.

[@Idahopainter]

Good luck, thanks for watching!

[@underpaidsucka]

What prep would you do to lacquered cabinets before applying this stuff? Just clean well or pre-sand?

[@robertring91]

Question for you: I painted one coat of pint primer on my face frame of my kitchen cabinets, oak. Can I add aqua coat on top of that? Or do I have to sand the paint off? I read somewhere that I have to let it cure first idk if that’s accurate to how long that takes if so but I need to get it done this week.

[@walterabeyta733]

You have great videos man thank you for the tips. Just subbed

[@CatConsten]

Can you use this product with oil based primer and paint?

[@For_Cruyff_Sake]

Do you recommend caulk or wood filler to cover the gaps on the face of the cabinets?

[@PamLashawn]

I’ve already put one coat of paint before I found your video. Can I still add this before the second coat of paint?

[@aurafice]

When the light hits the painted board at the end, you still fully see the grain on the Aqua Coat treated side. Does this mean the grain goes away to the touch, but not visually? My husband and I are about to build and paint our own kitchen cabinets (white) and are using Insl-x Cabinet Coat, which we've tested and it works (levels) GREAT, but we can still see a bit of grain and would like to figure out a way to not have that.

[@tabassumz8873]

How would I apply this to ridged areas of the cabinet? My cabinet has a border very similar to what a baseboard or crown moulding would look like. Thanks in advance!

[@Joaniemac69]

I have really old laminate cabinets with a "decorative" groove that is way outdated. Would this product fill in those grooves?

[@RM-vf7fl]

Well done demonstration. Sorry if you answered this already but would this work on cabinets that were already primed?

[@phantomcreamer]

Okay, I want a high-gloss finish, but my piece has moulding that I want to match. I'm planning on using a pore filler to accentuate the pores with more contrast, so how do I do this to moulding? The piece will be oil-stained first. Moreover, if I'm using oil-based poly, can I seal with poly before the water-based filler, or will the filler not stick well or the next top finish poly not stick well to the poly/filler coats?

[@thedalz5308]

Hi, would this product be suitable for laquered oak kitchen cabinets where there is a lot of moulding. Great video!

[@1990sRailfan]

Always wondered how they did that.

[@armandoerodz]

Lenmar undercoat fills pretty good just as primer. I

[@jazz901]

Thank you for your tip on using Aqua Coat. I didn't realize that 60 yr old varnished trim after sanding, priming and painting needed an extra step like filling the grain to get smooth, painted finish I wanted. Once I saw your video, I sanded my finished project and began AGAIN, using Aqua Coat this time. Is it best to prime B4 or after aqua coat? I reviewed comments and once you said b4 and once you said after. Thk u.

[@mikekmalick]

Thanks for sharing Chris. I like the wood grain look at least on my cabinets in my home. But it is nice to know this knowledge for future jobs... Great job Bro! Keep up the good work. Will definitely support you when looking for new tools.

[@mikekmalick]

The Idaho Painter You got it buddy.

[@Tehcarp]

Mike Malick but if you're spraying a high sheen lacquer you want that car body smoothness.

[@Idahopainter]

Thank you for the support, it is much appreciated :)

[@clydemcpherson8204]

Dware instulation

[@JCraftvfx]

what if the wood already has a coating of something, like a varnish and you want to paint them white. Will this still work?

[@tmuka]

So if I"m finishing oak trying to get a whitewash type finish where i WANT TO see the grain after, I probably wouldn't want to use a grain filler like this, right? thanks for the video!

[@GreenAppelPie]

The stuff is awesome, I use it for stain finish wood, 3 coats is good, 5 coats will give you a glass finish. I spray with 2 or 3 coats of water based poly with an HVLP $20 sprayer. I recommend using a soft applicator like you did to fill, then use a rag and apply it like wax on the last layer or 2. I always sand with the wood grain. Great results.

[@jackjax532]

+GreenAppelPie Do you use it under the stain?

[@jackjax532]

Hi Chris, Do you use a wood conditioner under the the stain? Thanks.

[@jackjax532]

Sorry for being a pest, but, in this case do you want to hide the grain altogether?

[@Idahopainter]

+Jack Tate sometimes

[@DAVIDDJAMALI]

Hi Can I use this product for mahogany wood as well?

[@jasonlappe6876]

What's best application for doors and trim? Thanks

[@andreasilzer8254]

Hello; I really like your utube videos, I have learned some awesome tips. I WOULD like a video on how to paint 2 walls that come together (like when 2 different rooms are joined my an entrance into the next room) when you hve to tape off an outside corner so you can paint a different color. I have trouble with this, where the new color bleeds over/under the tape if it is not placed just precisely correct! Then afterwards you have to go painstakingly touch up the outside corner and hopefully you dont paint on the other side of the different color. Help please.

[@jennytorres8622]

How would you do the corners of cabinets?

[@nikkiparis5399]

thanks, jacked dude, you might have to come paint my house ;-P

[@fluxibird]

Hey my kitchen cabinets boxes are made of melamine material and door are oak how can I paint them in same colours

[@johnseverson5764]

I didn’t see if there was any mention of surface prep required prior to applying the first coat, such as removing the polyurethane first. Thanks for he info.

[@Anna-xg6lv]

Will try and let you know how it worked for me

[@corteltube]

Do you sand and cabinets before or after you apply grain filler…thanks is for the video…

[@666Beard]

Wondering how this stuff works with breakthrough

[@sloppydoggy9257]

Can you use this before painting with an oil based primer/paint?

[@indiajordan8665]

I want to bleach and white wash my red oak cabinets. Id like to fill the grain also; is this possible for what I want to do? Should I grain fill after bleaching and before stain?

[@joehale2246]

have u tried Crystalac Wood Grain filler??

[@drea0903]

Will Dap premium wood filler work the same ?

[@blewprent]

So there is no prep required at all!?? Deglossing/sanding occurs after? Can you can use a deglosser on top of it?

[@jimmy2f]

Thanks for all the great videos. I have been a DIY painter for 20+ years and have been getting professional results for years, and i have finished and painted several cars so I am quite comfortable using about any type of spray gun. I am about to paint a kitchen full of oak cabinets and your cabinet painting videos have eased any anxiety i had about the project. I have been having nightmares about all this grain and how to cover it up. I am moving from a house where i installed high end factory painted maple cabinets and this oak is very hard to look at. I cant get rid of the grain quick enough. I am aware of the SherWood grain filler but that stuff looks like a mess to work with. Aqua Coat looks like the solution to my problem. Have you ever had a customer complain about the Aqua Coat de-laminating in heavy use areas, like sink cabinets, corners of doors, end panels, cabinets above or near the stove, etc? I want this to be a once and done project. Wont be living in this house long term so i need the paint job to look good for at least a few years without problem areas showing up. Thanks again for all the videos

[@jimmy2f]

One more thing, what do you feel works better filling the grain, sherwood or aqua coat?

[@mikemike7397]

What if there’s a finish on the cabinet? Can I use a chemical stripper first to remove it, and then Apply the filler?

[@lisagiannetto7240]

This product is THE BOMB! It's low Oder and easy to use water based and works great. Easy to sand. We did our entire oak cabinet kitchen with it after using another product that the Idaho painter advised but didn't work. So don't use the Sherwin Williams wood grain filler. Use this product, "Aqua coat".

[@Idahopainter]

I must agree, it is my first preference! Thanks for sharing :)

[@bklyn2va2dc]

Paint Life TV Hey, aren’t you the Idaho Painter that Lisa is referring to??!!! WTF!!

[@smattt]

@@bklyn2va2dc 😂😂

[@gmrrnracr]

Holly crap! What a difference! I hate doing a project thinking I did all my homework then watching your videos to find out I SCREWED IT UP! I do see the grain in my cabinets and preparation was not done correctly! Chris do you apply that product to bare trim as well? What if the surface, like my crappy job, was painted? Do I have to strip all the paint? If so, what products do you recommend and process to strip paint?

[@amykirkpatrick4653]

I did the same thing several years ago with cabinet coat. Can you use this product over a painted surface?

[@carissakeys9544]

Thanks so much for the info! Can I just clarify... If we have oak cabinets that have a finish on them (not sure what kind), do I need to prime first, then apply aquafill, then prime again before applying the top coat of paint?

[@Idahopainter]

No, primer after the aqua coat

[@jamesjordan318]

Can you spray paint on top of that

[@phil.paulastocks2276]

Would this product work on a walnut gun stock that has been stained and finished with oil? Stock did not have grain filled before finish.

[@Idahopainter]

Yes, it would work good

[@itchylind8551]

What kind of paint I need to buy ?

[@jakearchambault8160]

when you spray 4 coats of lacquer in one day do you use a lacquer catalyst?

[@Idahopainter]

We do.

[@sarab6211]

Approximately how many cabinet doors can you fill, front and back, with one pint of aqua coat? Could you apply 3 coats to a small kitchen with only one pint, for example? Just looking for a rough estimate...thanks!

[@Idahopainter]

Yes, you can use one pint for a small kitchen

[@Deadstk]

Once again, great video! Q: some folks mention that Aqua Coat grain filler doesn't adhere to polyurethane coated cabinets very well. If true, is there any additional prep before applying that would help with that? Thanks.

[@Idahopainter]

Prime it first, then apply it

[@ashweedawnwubsyou]

Can you do this as like a top coat if you’ve already painted your cabinets and need to feel the grain?

[@thepinkguypainting]

www.ppgpaints.com/products/interior-paint/seal-grip-latex-wood-undercoat Use this, re-prime it, then paint it again, and you won't have to sand. I know, because that's how I learned about this product lol

[@tullyhannan]

The final product looks great but noticed when you had light reflect against it the grain was still showing. Any ideas on how to hide the grain completely?

[@cb7940]

i noticed that, too! i wonder if a matte finish would help? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@franklin9613]

Yes, Sand it all smooth and even with 150. Sand between bottom and tops coat with 220 grit. The grain will be GONE!. Ive used Aqua coat ....Its really not worth the trouble time in my opinion. Most the time you need like 3 coats. Way too time consuming for me. Im not knocking Chris at all. But I prefer to just sand the grains away. I use a surf prep sander.

[@franklin9613]

@@cb7940 Matt finish on Cabinets wouldn't be a good idea though. But I know why u said that though.

[@dmmaui]

Your always going to have that roll in the finish after filling grain on oak

[@XarForLife]

Is primer needed before painting if you use aqua coat?

[@07blackdog]

I am finishing the moldings , doors and staircase in my house. When attempting to get a dark red mahogany finish, I only found success with Trans Tint first , then a tung oil stain and clear. The finish is gorgeous but very open. I think this is what is missing. The wood is red oak.

[@Idahopainter]

Yes, thanks for sharing!

[@joemama-kx6rk]

I noticed the wood you were applying the Aquq Coat on was raw.. If painting cabinets do you kmow if you would prime first... (before Aqua Coat) or hit it w Aqua Coat then prime

[@CheeseBae]

Aqua Coat then prime. Primer serves several purposes, among them making sure your top coat of paint sticks to whatever surface you're putting it on.

[@jimmy2f]

The Paint Life guy primes his cabinets before applying the aqua coat. See his other video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpClhJmPqaiSiKc

[@kimberlydeprey]

Wow!

[@erikcsellers]

I've seen you use Sher-Wood and this. Which one is better. I have a large kitchen that is oak. I really liked the large size of the gallon can of Sher-Wood and that there was no sanding afterwards.

[@Idahopainter]

Don't use Sherwood

[@racheliuli3247]

Do you recommend lacquer or enamel with the Aqua coat wood grain filler for paint honey oak kitchen cabinets?

[@Idahopainter]

Lacquer will be more durable and chemical resistant

[@changowowowoezzy9617]

Paint life. I want one

[@Idahopainter]

www.theidahopainter.com

[@livingthedream29]

Does this stuff work with enamel primer and paint from Sherwin Williams. I’m looking at redoing my kitchen which is entirely Oak cabinets. Looking at the Emerald paint from SW.

[@Idahopainter]

Hey, thank you for being here with us! Due to the overwhelming amount of messages we get each day, we have created an amazing community through a private FaceBook group called Paint Life Mafia. Join us for private live shows and much more. Only members will be allowed to enter and interact in the group, creating a tighter knit community of painters. Each tier has different perks, depending on what you are looking for. Click here to learn more about this EXCLUSIVE group and join: facebook.com/groups/2305219262837596/ Special Thanks - Chris Berry, The Idaho Painter

[@patrickbailey7364]

Do you recommend going the same direction when applying each coat?

[@Idahopainter]

No, you do not have to.

[@madskills2013]

a reallygood video would be knowing the pros and cons of spraying vs rolling and when to choose one over the other

[@Idahopainter]

Yes, that is a great idea!

[@TheFkman]

its just painters magic.

[@Idahopainter]

LOL

[@howardmeyers5147]

what is a good wood filler for mystregh grain fur decking, right at the ends at stps, the open up

[@Idahopainter]

Minwax plastic wood

[@efrainavila7598]

Ok so the cabinets I'm working on are primed already ...what do i need to do to use this filler??

[@thepinkguypainting]

www.ppgpaints.com/products/interior-paint/seal-grip-latex-wood-undercoat Reprime them with this, and you will be golden. Don't have to resand

[@DMKA100]

Hello, I have. A technical question about filling wood grain after using a router bits, I started to make my own various shapes wood plaques, mostly oval shape, and places where a router bit went against the grain I get rough surface as you can imagine, so how do I make all that surface all around it to be perfectly smooth , I can sand it of course but those cut shapes can be damaged easily . Do you have any suggestions? Thanks.

[@Idahopainter]

Sand with a dremmel

[@andrewd9025]

I want to paint stained oak, can I just apply the aqua coat over the stain?

[@Idahopainter]

Yes, you can

[@Nick-ih5em]

can you dona video on gravity fed hvlp gun and compressor set up for spaying trim and cabinets

[@Idahopainter]

I will add that to my list!

[@abprice30]

at 7:46, when the glare hits it you can still see the grain. Is that as good as it gets? Don't get me wrong, it looks better than the other side, but I wouldn't be happy if my cabinets still showed that much grain

[@Idahopainter]

Put thicker coats on

[@davidmohaupt7561]

Do you prefer Sherwood over this? Also I went there and they didn't have it or even know about Sherwood here in AZ..

[@Idahopainter]

I prefer Aqua Coat

[@n2xsru]

would it be better to apply this to bare wood or prime the wood first?

[@Idahopainter]

Prime the wood first

[@dontblameme6328]

I don't use credit so I don't have a credit card. Will a debit card work?

[@gared287]

Where do you normally purchase the product?

[@Idahopainter]

Amazon. It is in my tool store. I also get it directly from the owner.

[@MusicByJC]

How would this work on plywood? I am putting up larger shelves in my closet and I am using 3/4 plywood for the shelves. I wanted to get smooth sanded plywood where I would just prime and paint. The place I bought the plywood had it in the yard. So I told them what I wanted, paid for it and then went to retrieve it. Lets just say that I was very disappointed with the surface. It was unblemished and appeared to be sanded but it was not smooth like I had seen some other plywood that I intended on using. Instead of saying, this isn't what I wanted and left to look else where I went ahead and got it. Now I am thinking if something like this would make the surface smoother I might give it a shot.

[@Idahopainter]

If you want smooth, use the grain filler

[@arturo4700]

Can apply Lacquer after Aquacoat or i need Lacquer Primer?

[@Idahopainter]

We use lacquer primer

[@davidbahr9068]

Sherwin Williams Fastdry oil primer is superior. 2 sanded coats will fill any grain

[@bjornyesterday2562]

You should hold the piece of wood diagonally to the camera with light on it so we can actually see the surface and grain

[@jdavidmoffitt]

If the oak cabinets are sealed will this work on them thanks great video

[@Idahopainter]

Yes, it will

[@jdavidmoffitt]

THanks

[@bigredgreg1]

The difference is obvious. Good Vid!

[@DukeLaCrosse20]

what can I use to smooth a 4x6 pressure-treated post (from HomeDepot)? I want to fill all the pits and tamp down the grain and then paint it to look as smooth as I can get it. Is there a product for coarser wood surfaces?

[@Idahopainter]

Due to the overwhelming amount of messages we get each day, we have created an amazing community through a Facebook group called Paint Life Members. This is a great place to ask questions, get/give feedback, and share your latest projects. This is a well monitored group of painters who are dedicated to educating, equipping, and empowering each other. Here is the link to request to join. Please answer the questions and we will approve your request as soon as possible. We hope to see you there! facebook.com/groups/2305219262837596/

[@Idahopainter]

That type of wood has chemicals that make it a sure failure if you try

[@DukeLaCrosse20]

Thanks, but I will never touch facebook. Not since they revealed the results of a survey I took to all my friends without asking me first.

[@joeychgo]

Can you add more grain filler after a coat of primer?

[@Idahopainter]

yes you can

[@Josh_Luijsterburg]

Also for MDF? Esp. The endgrain?

[@Idahopainter]

Yes, it would work on that

[@lindathibodeau9033]

How do you apply it to routed edges of mdf?

[@victorspencer2684]

What spray are you using?

[@Idahopainter]

Sherwood Grain Filler

[@taniacolderbank4367]

I like would grain, but hate how the oak grain looks with a darker stain. Do you think 1 cost of the grain filler would work under a gel stain? i dislike golden oak-just want them a tad darker. I still want to be able to tell that it is wood. thanks for the videos and help!

[@Idahopainter]

It usually takes 2 coats

[@LightGesture]

How many coats do you do when painting? 3 coats of wood grain fill 2 coats of white lacquer? An under coat And 2 coats of whatever color the cabinets will be??

[@Idahopainter]

We use 2 coats of the grain filler after the primer

[@derek7991]

Paint Life TV what Kind of primer do you recommend? Im planning on deglossing the golden oak cabinets of any sheen, applying this product, then 2 coats primer and 2 coats sherwin paint. Will the aqua coat take with the SW pro block oil based primer?

[@saracobb6570]

Derek Szeliga, did you use the SW pro block oil based primer? Did the Aqua Coat work for you? I'm gonna be doing the same project as you pretty soon and would love to know how your cabinets turned out!!

[@cJg242]

What about staining the cabinets over the aqua coat instead of painting?

[@Idahopainter]

You can do that

[@cJg242]

Thanks!

[@HonestAbe689]

@ 7:46 you could clearly see the grain in the reflection on the light

[@Idahopainter]

Interesting

[@chunk386]

Can you apply this or any grain filler over primer. I use bin for primer. Started priming kitchen cabinets and customer asked if i could fill in the grain. On oak cabinets. I can re prime after this before applying color just dont wanna have to sand primer to apply this unless i have to.

[@brod2474]

Do those shirts come in men’s sizes?

[@Idahopainter]

Nope

[@luxpainting4545]

how much do you charge per square foot for 3 colors of paint flat ceilings, velvet walls 12ft tall , and 9 inch baseboards low sheen? it's a 4000 square feet house with 30 , 9 feet doors , how much per door raw wood, no undercoat.

[@Idahopainter]

I have a hard time bidding a job with such little information and not seeing it but for a rough estimate I would say $12,000.

[@torahislife]

There are plenty of pros who will do your job at 1/3 the cost of this guy

[@SLime-nf5vb]

Well you often get what you pay for too I've found. I just had to tear out a entire living room of hardwood by going with someone a 1/3 of the cost. Not saying applies to all businesses but please get referrals and look at jobs prior to. I learned the hard way and cost me 3 times as much in the end.

[@Idahopainter]

Yes, I agree. You pay for what you get!

[@dericanslum1696]

followtruth ...plenty of "pros" who will leave buckets of urine in the corner and steal your wife's jewelry too...what's your point...?...that price could simply be the difference between NY and MS...

[@lindalester9151]

One that refuses to do that much sanding, can't you just use a spray shellac prior to painting?

[@Idahopainter]

You could