Just Like Magic Your Golden Oak Color Will Disappear 

And twenty years later people will be looking for ways to get the paint off and get back to the traditional Golden Oak look again! :)

Why? This is very good craftsmanship, but wasted on boring and ugly. The basic varied color of wood goes with e.ve.ry.thing.This is over white, gets dirty. Besides wealthy people do not do matchy -matchy -- how else could you display the generations of beautiful wood. Imagine doing this in the White House? Boring and ugly

My daughter just primed and painted her kitchen cabinets from that honey oak to icy white and they're beautiful. It took her a week to do it herself, but the end results are gorgeous

I have an old golden oak dresser and as much as I hate golden oak I’m not doing this to it.

I’m a hobbyist/ amateur woodworker and I’m blown away by these cerusing videos. I like the idea of taking something outdated and creating something completely new and fashionable. Top notch.

Myself I like the Oak better than that off white color

Anything considered outdated is that in only certain people’s minds. I love oak and would give my eye teeth to have real oak cabinets instead of the homemade plywood cabinets put in this farmhouse in 1965. But at least they are newer than the cabinets in my laundry room that were built in 1932. Remember to be grateful for what you have. If you can change it, fine. Just don’t talk down other’s choices. They may not be able to afford to change things or they really like it the way it is.

Looked pretty good before you painted them. It made them look like cheap plastic or fiber board cabinets to me.

I like my golden coloured oak, thank you. The white, not nearly as much. But, I still have my mother's oak dining set, that was blonde oak, before my day. No doubt it would have been very pretty with the original shade.

Oh dear all for the sake of fashion you have spoiled a beautiful wooden cupboard.

That’s too much work. The grain is still too dated. I would have primed with Stix primer and sprayed or rolled them with Benjamin Moore Advance Decorators White or Oxford White, change the hardware and call it a day.

Now that commercially built kitchen cabinets are All MDF; why would anyone ruin any "real wood" cabinets by doing this?

Wes, this is beautiful. First time I’ve seen this done. I’m impressed. I wonder how this would look on a dresser? I was planning on doing a distressed finished on an old dresser, but I think I’m going to do this instead. Great video! Thank you!

Ya do it just like this guy does please then you will pay a pro to come fix your shit lol much easier to hire a pro

Just like magic your golden oak looks like cheap plstic junk.

or maybe a decent dark wood stain...

Oh wow…this finish is beautiful! So many people will rip out an entire kitchen of oak cabinets and could get another 10+ years out of good solid cabinets with an updated look!! Perfect…thank you!!🥰

I love the color of oak and natural wood tones. Don't like the white washed look.

Beautiful. All kinds of character possible with combinations of base coat, glaze and finish. Painting wood is not, in my opinion, a sin or a crime. We should feel liberated in choosing the surface that suits and pleases us. It’s a personal experience. If someone doesn’t agree, they’re free to choose with their own pieces. Different strokes, folks. ✌️

My MOM did this to a bedroom suite back in the 50's . STILL HATE IT ! You can't improve on Ma Nature !

Why would anyone in their right mind want to cover / replace good Golden Oak cabinets!!!!!

This finished cabinet is a nightmare, from the wire brush to the cheap paint brushes, and paper towels you used. The oil based stain over the primer is horrible 😳

So the grain shows through the primer.

A lot of people will be bummed out when golden oak comes back in style (any day now). Not me, my house is full of it and my property value will soar. Well, that's what I'm telling myself anyway

The video is very entertaining but it would take me years to do my kitchen...

Why on earth would you do such horrible things to such beautiful wood? Might as well break moral laws and paint it while wearing socks and sandals.

i love your relaxed, calm way you go about your project. and how very encouraging you are! THANK YOU for the inspiration and the information too.

Ugh this kills me. How to ruin an oak cabinet, if you really must paint it fill all the grain and paint it nice and smooth. If you like the grain keep it, dye the wood seal and then fill the grain for a look simmilar to this that doesnt make every wood guy groan

These are my exact cupboards I have been wanting to redo! Thank you so much., Wes. I am so happy I came across your channel. Your tutorials are gold. I now, finally, have the confidence to tackle this project! 🤩

I am definitely NOT a DIYer, but I respect those of you who are because this is way too much work (for me). Hats off to you who are willing to do it.

No offense but that’s the dumbest thing to paint over natural beautiful wood.

Absolutely gorgeous. What kind of total time was involved in doing the set of cabinets?

When you mentioned Bounty, it warmed my heart! Bounty and wood. My sweet little daddy used Bounty all the time. He would shine the woodwork in the house, and he would be so proud of the shine. He loved making everything shine and made everything beautiful. He was very meticulous. Just thought I'd share this with you, I love your technique it's so beautiful!

I’m puzzled why you didn’t show the actual technique of using the wire brush as you say it’s the most important part.

"How to make a beautiful natural wood finish look like a faux finish on MDF", lol. I really love the natural golden oak finish. The painted look not so much, but I'd love to know how to tone down aged orangey pine without making it look pasty.

love it, teaching my sons the trade also, yours very truly: APro Painting / Staining & Services from northern Alberta Canada

Many projects look better the farther away you get. 😅

That's beautiful. I've had golden oak for years and years. Loved it then, but I'm so sick of it now. This color would look wonderful with darker hardwood floors. Great job.

Just like magic, you ruined your cabinets.

B E A U T I F U L! 😍😍…who knew you could get rid of that date honey oak 😝 so easily! 🤣😂 Thank you soo much for this! I’m going to do this on my hubby’s oak furniture he won’t let me get rid of from his bachelor days. I call that special shade of oak “old school lover boy oak”. 😆😁😂

Not a fan. Much prefer the warm golden oak look.

OMG I totally LOVE THIS - Was going to do months ago and put on hold and just watched again and gotta do it. I would like to know what color did you tint your primer to please? There are so many different "whites" - Thank you so much

I like the warm honey tones of the natural grain of many beautiful woods. Darker woods with minimal stains to bring out the grain. You can stain or paint the lesser woods and they to can be enhanced.

I can’t imagine painting over that beautiful oak!

Tried to get rid of yellow and got yellow white in the end. Do not use oil based poly in the end - it’s yellowing. Use poly acrylic instead.

Wes, I love this cerusing technique for redoing the kitchen cabinets or other cabinets in the house. I have the same in my house although my cabinets are made from ash wood. I'm seriously thinking of doing this to my kitchen cabinets. I do have one question though & it may be a stupid question. After you've changed the color of the outside, what do you do with the color of the inside of the cabinet which is the golden oak? Do you paint it the color of the primer you put on it or what? It's impossible to ceruse the inside of the cabinets. Actually in the lower cabinets it will be impossible to even paint those areas that go back into the counter that you can never reach. I love your videos! Thank you so much for putting this detailed information out there & also responding to people's questions!

Natural wood grain properly treated always looks better than cheap painted wood

Thank you for sharing your expertise! This is gorgeous!!!

This white wash stuff is so FUGLY

That is EXACTLY the same cabinet I have in my kitchen! 20 year old home! This is great information....can't wait to get started! Thank you!

I can’t stand painted cabinets , my home’s cabinets will remain golden oak.

I would like to see this technique using different colors. Like a white base with dark blue glaze. Or maybe yellow paint with black glaze.

Yes, but who would want to turn beautiful cabinets with a glowing golden oak finish into shitty looking painted white pieces of crap ?

New subscriber! You came up on my RU-vid and this is my first video. Love it along with your calming voice n passionate presence

What a waste of GOOD WOODEN NATURAL FURNITURE. LOOKS HORRIBLE.

ME at 1/2 hour into video - "That is going to look terrible, can't believe he calls himself a professional"! ME at the end of the video - "Now that came out beautiful, just what I am looking for to update my outdated kitchen cabinets. This guy definitely knows what he is doing"!

Please wear a mask, the dust of the paint, wood and varnish is bad for your lungs.

Perfect timing! I have the golden oak cabinets but in the shaker style that I plan on painting in the next few weeks. Had planned on just white but I may have to try this instead! (But with a gray glaze) Also my oldest son’s name is Wes. Great video, thank you!

I love the glazed, this dirty white, not so much. At least I know what not to do on my own.

My husband works with wood and we never paint over it. We both love the look and smell of wood. Painting wood is sacrilege in my own opinion.

Cool effect. A polycrylic might be better for preserving the final color since it stays clear. Urethane yellows and you spent all that effort getting rid of the yellow tones.

why the hell would anyone want soulless white over beautiful honey oak? millennials baffle me

This is as soothing as watching bob ross

Yes my mother painted her beautiful mahogany bed white and gold in the 70s and I had pay to remove the paint and bring back the beautiful mahogany wood underneath

Aren’t you leaving brushstrokes and the little bubbles that roller makes

This primer is great for raw wood (I used it on pine trim) but it doesn’t cover knots and doesn’t block stains. It builds up nicely and allows for sanding for a smooth finish. On cabinets with polyurethane finish I would use the SW extreme bond primer instead.

Dated Oak finish . . . ROTFLMFAOODL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for the running commentary, explaining the decision making process and reasons behind it. Wes you are the best. Love watching your videos and learning.

have you done any with tinted stain? When using stain products I use a pad that is meant for applying car wax paste. I dont do very well with wire brushes. I like to use different grits of sand paper and hand sand...especially details. I also use steel wool pads. Ive ask about glaze in every paint store Ive ever been in for 30 years....Im always told there is no such thing. nor can I find it on the shelves.

Thank you from Texas for giving me the courage to tackle my bathroom oak cabinets. I'll start soon and so excited!

Your work and explanations are great! As someone who likes to do the minimum ( I know I shouldn’t), can you please explain why you did two coats or primer? Since you want to reveal the grain when you stain and rub a lot of the paint and stain off, why is it necessary to do the two coats of primer?

Ruth here, it is more ugly with the grain showing through the pain 👎👎👎,

So glad I made the decision to keep our oak cabinets and just update them. Come on spring, I'm ready to get started on this project!

It looks like a plastic imitation of oak. I like the golden oak look a LOT better

I just can't get enough of these videos of cerusing. Such a unique look & so many options for colors. thanks Wes!

I love the Golden Oak. I hate to see you painting over it

Wow! Really inspirational. I have an old pine dresser inherited from my mum and haven’t known what to do with it as I do want to get rid of it. Your video has given me a wonderful project to work on whilst keeping my mum close by. Thank you ☺️.

And why would anyone want it to look like shit! Rather see the Golden oak!

How could you take some great red oak and wreck it you should be ashamed of yourself

Why would I want my golden oak to disappear? Sorry, but the oak was lovely before its makeover.

Holy moly! As great as this looks it would take me a good 6 months (or more!) to do all my kitchen cabinets myself!

When you sand I wish you would wear a mask for your health thanks

You’re so awesome to do these videos! Looks fantastic! I can’t wait to do this! Waiting for the humidity to go way down! Will have to be a winter project! 😀 thanks Wes! You’re the best! I could listen to your voice all day!

Well Mikey. Most people buy wood FOR it's color

Thank you for this! That's the style of cabinet doors that are in my kitchen and I really appreciate you showing the process on the door with that arch adding a bit more complication. I love this finish! My brain is buzzing with all the color combination possibilities! Edit: scoop edge, cathedral arch. Got it. Good to know for reference. Thanks!

That pickled look is dated more than the original finish.

When I look up M.L. Campbell Glazes, it gives me multiple choices. Which type of glaze do I need for doing my cabinets while still mounted? I'm hoping for something with a blueish gray tint with white being the primer as well.

While everyone is painting their cabinets white, I said I wouldn’t even try to paint my 30 yr old golden oak cabinets. I’m just afraid of chipping and yellowing but I love this technique and they are beautiful but I’m still intimidated by the amount of steps for each cabinet. I’m thinking just paint my kitchen walls white and with my oak kitchen floors maybe white walls would brighten up the space instead of painting the cabinets.

Having rubbed down/back to expose the grain, I find it much quicker to apply a ‘ liming wax ‘ at that stage. Leave few hours and the buff up . Works a treat ! ✔️ OR you could chalk paint at that stage too, then apply clear wax , leave few hours, then buff of etc

Why would anyone cover up their beautiful wood cabinets with cheap paint?

Hi Wes! Your channel was recommended and I sure am glad 😃 You explain your steps very well and I enjoyed watching this process…and boy what a GREAT finished project! The cabinet finish is gorgeous👍🏻I’m inspired👩🏻‍🎨 New central NC Subscriber 🇺🇸

Why worry about the wood grain then paint?!?!?

I must be a traditionalist .... golden oak is such a nice wood finish. Seems a shame to destroy it :-(

I love my 20 year old golden oak cabinets

It's too bad that the Golden Oak looks so much prettier than this "new improved" cabinet! It looks like driftwood now.

Ya natural wood turned to Contact Paper, JMHO

Hi Wes 👋 It’s been a pleasure watching you work on this cabinet! You’ve made something that felt so overwhelming feel doable now 😊 I really appreciate it! Thank you!!!

Is there a reason that you dab with a cheap brush instead of using longer strokes with a good brush?

Thank you very much, for this tutorial, I am amazed how you have done this, it looks lovely, you are a very good teacher.

What is the purpose of the wire brushing you did and what pressure did you use?