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shawnhbk · Oct 7, 2005, 05:19 PM

Yes I want to paint my kitcen cabinets a light color (they are a verydark brown now)they have probably 4 coats of paint on them now I tried to strip them and was unsuccessful if I prime them and repaint them they will look terrible what should I do? I was considering maybe sanding but would really like someone else's opinion I'm not sure if the paint on them is oil based HELP

RickJ · Oct 10, 2005, 04:01 AM

With that many layers - and assuming that you've gotten some of it off - the only way to do it right is to keep stripping.

Use the gel type, let it set awhile, then carefully use steel wool or a scraper to get it all off.

shawnhbk · Oct 10, 2005, 07:09 PM

Thanks rick for the advice that makes good sense what do you think about sanding? Would that be more effective? I know that stripping these cabinets will be a very timely chore educate me on sanding also thanks again

RickJ · Oct 11, 2005, 03:38 AM

Sandpaper is more work than repeated stripper applications... plus, with sanding, you risk sanding into good wood around the stuck-on paint.

If there are large areas of resistant paint, you can use an orbital wallpaper scorer ($10-$15) to help the stripper sink in... or just take a razorblade and lightly cut into it... "scoring" it.

Finally, I hope you're only doing the exteriors. On the interiors, just sand and paint over the old paint.

No one will ever notice :p