How do I refurbish an old kitchen cabinet (Hoosier pot belly type)?

KELLI
by KELLI

I have an old Hoosier type kitchen cabinet that i want to refurbish, but I am not sure what I should do and what I shouldn't to it, so that it retains some value. The legs at the bottom have some damage and it has flaking white paint on it. The bottom, pot belly part, is tin and is pretty good shape overall. It does need a lot of TLC and work. I don't want it to look new, but I do want to be able to put it in my kitchen and use it to store old cookbooks and other items. How much sanding do I do? What do I seal it with? Should I repaint it?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Kelli

  2 answers
  • Dfm Dfm on Aug 21, 2018

    Take photos of all sides of cabinet, watch for makers mark. Talk to your insurance company.....I have a grand mother’s clock that my grand father made. It was made in 1922. If there ever is a tornado or fire, it’s cost replacement...may be. Take a few photos as is, and see what an antique dealer tells you. Get opinions from a few dealers. Some times refinishing devalues the piece.. some times the piece is common enough and not highly valued. If the latter, do what you want with it.

  • Denise Hardy Denise Hardy on Aug 21, 2018

    Hi Kelli - it would be helpful with a picture of it and a little more info, but I will try to give you some idea :) Is the top wood? has it already been painted? I would imagine if what you say about the legs and the paint is coming off I would advise giving it all a good sanding to remove all the flaking paint either using an electric sander or by hand. Clean all the dust off when you've finished the sanding.


    I would perhaps advise for you to use a primer - I prefer using Zinsser BIN 123 I think it is one of the best. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zinsser-ZINBE1231L-Litre-Primer-Sealer/dp/B004VDEAFS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534870744&sr=8-1&keywords=zinsser+BIN+123 Perhaps use a white. I would apply 2 coats. Don't do this to the pot belly part if it is metal as you say. I will come to that part in a bit. Leave your 2 coats of primer to dry overnight.


    You could perhaps use Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint which is a water based paint - slightly water this down or just have a bowl of water at the side of it and dip your brush in it before dipping it into the tin of Annie Sloan's - this will help you to work the paint better. Colour wise - obviously use whatever colour you wish - she does lots of lovely colours - but perhaps you might like just using white or cream? Give it a light sanding with approx. 120 grit paper. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rust-Oleum-Chalky-Finish-Furniture-Paint/dp/B00KHPI4QK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1534870844&sr=8-1&keywords=annie+sloan+chalk+paint+old+white


    If you would like it to look a bit 'aged' then just give parts of it a harder sanding to fetch some of the paint off - just in places like the edge of the top of the unit and a little around the drawers and perhaps in some places on the legs.


    I would then start on the pot belly - you can either use the same colour as the unit or something a bit different ie if you use the white for the rest of it - you could use a nice pale or medium grey? You would need to use a 'metal paint' for this - perhaps something like this which is a primer and paint all-in-one. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rust-Oleum-RO0030105G1-750-Universal-Paint/dp/B008XGATFY/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1534870613&sr=8-6&keywords=metal+paint


    Another idea - if you wanted to use a specific colour i.e. blue - so if you painted the whole of it either in the same colour blue or... like I mentioned above - you could do the unit in blue and perhaps the metal pot belly in white etc etc - you have lots of choice :) Have a look at this picture - perhaps this is like or similar to yours? You could perhaps use as 'inspiration'?


    Whatever you choose I am sure it will look lovely when completed. In fact I wish I had one - I have never seen or heard of these until today, but all I can say I think they are beautiful. Good Luck and happy painting