Please Help identify type of wood in Kitchen Cabinet. Is it worth painting it ?

[amav31]

Hi
I am planning to paint my dark wood cabinets white.
In some of the forums I read that some type of wood when painted will hold up well and will look smooth without showing the grain and some dont inspite of very good prep work,because the grain cant be filled.

My cabinets are really dark and the color differs with light. SOme places it is light and some places it is dark. I recently stripped of the green ugly wallpaper in the kitchen thinking the room will look brighter. I painted the walls offwhite but still the cabinets are too dark for my taste. I love all white cabinets and I want to paint them white and I want them to look smooth. Can I achieve this with this type of wood. Also when i touch the surface I can feel the grains and the texture is slightly rough.

Please advice. Should I paint them white(I want to do it myself) or Can I stain them light color if paint will not acheive the result I am looking for.

Thanks in advance

Here are the closeup photos of the wood.

http://photos.gardenweb.com/home/galleries/2006/10/kitchen_cab2.html (http://photos.gardenweb.com/home/galleries/2006/10/kitchen_cab2.html)

http://photos.gardenweb.com/home/galleries/2006/10/kitchen_cab1.html (http://photos.gardenweb.com/home/galleries/2006/10/kitchen_cab1.html)

http://photos.gardenweb.com/home/galleries/2006/10/kitchen_cab3.html (http://photos.gardenweb.com/home/galleries/2006/10/kitchen_cab3.html)

picture of my kitchen
http://photos.gardenweb.com/home/galleries/2006/10/bm_cloud_white_2.html (http://photos.gardenweb.com/home/galleries/2006/10/bm_cloud_white_2.html)

[OGYT]

Looks like Oak trim, and Oak paneling... You might try stripping the old finish off with some type of thick, wood stripper. Then try a two-part bleach kit as per directions. Then sand to high heaven, and stain with a much lighter stain.
Can't suggest painting oak. If someone from Texas read it, I could be shot. :o)

[Bleedin Thumb]

.
Can't suggest painting oak. If someone from Texas read it, I could be shot. :o)

More so down here! People would give their right chestnut for an oak kitchen.:eek:

[tashammer]

More so down here! People would give their right chestnut for an oak kitchen.:eek:

ah but rejoice that people up there would give their other one to have the woods that we use for our cabinets. :-)

[Hickory]

ah but rejoice that people up there would give their other one to have the woods that we use for our cabinets. :-)

Ain't that the truth!! I seldom use mine anymore anyway....

As for the cabinets, I see why you want to change them. They have lost their luster. Attempt a re finish first. Rub them down with Mineral Spirits and then light sand, careful not to penetrate the color and Patina it already possesses. then try a Wipe-on Polyurethane finish. Several coats would bring the life back to your Oak Cabinets.

If SWMBO is still set on painting, Do the same process but use a primer instead, then a layer of your favorite paint

[Christopha]

Will one of the God Mods please move this blind idiots' post to the painting cupboards section and out of the woodturning bit?