How to paint bare kitchen cabinet shelves?

Question

My kitchen cabinets are old and have never been painted or sealed, so the wood is completely bare.

Two issues:

* Fine wood dust keeps shedding from the surfaces.
* The wood holds onto smells. If I clean it with vinegar, it smells like vinegar for ages. If I then clean it with something odourless, the previous smell is still there underneath.

My questions:

* Will painting actually get rid of the odour, or do I need to seal/treat the wood first?
* What primer should I use on bare, unfinished wood like this?

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @Mas_Jamei,

You should be fine using 180-grit sandpaper. You don't need to give it a whole lot of sanding, you just want to remove any obvious irregularities and then remove the sawdust.

You should only need one coat of primer, with two coats of paint.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Jacob

Mas_Jamei · Answer

Hi @JacobZ ,

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.

Two follow-up questions:

* Is there a specific sandpaper grit you'd recommend?
* How many coats of primer should I apply?

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @Mas_Jamei,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Your cabinets are made of chipboard/particleboard rather than solid timber, which is made from compressed wood particles and adhesive. Because it’s made from compressed wood particles and adhesive, the exposed surface can shed fine material and is also quite porous, which would explain why it is holding onto smells.

I’d avoid repeatedly wetting it with vinegar or other cleaners, as chipboard can swell and deteriorate if it absorbs too much moisture. Instead, give it a light sand to remove any loose material, vacuum it thoroughly and make sure it is completely clean and dry.

For the odour issue, I’d be inclined to seal it with Zinsser B-I-N Primer Sealer Stain Blocker before applying your topcoat. It is a shellac-based primer specifically designed to seal porous surfaces and block residual odours, so it should address both the dusty surface and smells rather than simply covering them with paint.

I’d apply the primer to all exposed chipboard surfaces, including edges where practical, and once it has dried, finish with a suitable enamel paint for a more durable, wipeable surface.

Once painted, the odours should remain inside the chipboard and it will be sealed, preventing further issues from moisture soaking in.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob