Hello, I have a 130 yr old house, wood lap siding. I'm thinking of painting it soon. The existing paint is in fairly good shape, however, is peeling or chipping in some areas. I've seen worse. There are multiple coats of paint on the house, and I'm certain that some are lead based. Here's the question: what would be the best way to prep for painting? 1) I've heard that I will have to take it down to bare wood to get new paint to stick well. 2) I don't want to do this because of the time involved and the lead paint hazzard. 3) I would prefer to scrape the loose paint, fill and caulk as required, put on a good coat of primer and a good coat of paint. Can someone tell me: 1) Do I have to take it down to bare wood? 2) If I can do it without taking it down to bare wood, how do I do that properly? 3) If I do take it to the bare wood, how do I do it so that I a) minimize the lead hazzard & b) do it properly and / or easily? 4) If I can prime and paint, can anyone give product recommendations as to the type of paint and primer that would give the best results? Thanks!

Painting older oak kitchen cabinets. I would like the grain to disapear. Any ideas. Numerous coats on a test piece with primer first and I still see the grain. I'm thinking of a wood filler but all i see online is some type to replace rotted wood. I was thinking of something you can spray or paint on and sand. Also should I use Latex or oil. After it's dry and cured can I sand with 400 grit wet paper and put a final coat on. Heck...forget it ...I will buy new ones.