stressed paint

[tamborine]

how do u get the look of wood showing thru paint, for kitchen cabs

[ummmm]

Sand it down.

[ummmm]

Or if you haven't painted them yet put wax on the areas you want to show through.

[rowanwitch]

couple of ways 1) rub wax on the area you want to show through and when the top coat is dry buff off the top coat of paint leaving the waxed bottom coat showing through

2) use a harder paint on the base coat and sand off some of the top coat when it is dry

If you google 'Distressed paint effects' you should get loads more

[carrust]

Are they painted already?

[tonyav]

You can also buy paint that gives that effect, B&Q etc.

[tamborine]

have done & am ready to paint but should I thin the paint

[heathfield]

If the wood's bare, you could wet it. This will make the wood swell slightly, so the grain will stand out more once it's dry. If you're going to sand after applying the paint, I'd thin it. Less clogging of the sandpaper.