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Metal Cabinet? Don't Toss It! Turn It Into Something Useful

by Bobbi Perreault
(IC: homeowner)
$20
12 Hours
Easy
It's amazing what a carefully crafted finish will accomplish on old file cabinets/metal storage cabinets. Do you have any for me?
(BTW, I painted this cabinet about 7 years after I painted these floors, which I talked about here: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/floors-ceilings/painted-concrete-floors-that-last-and-last-and-last-2732974)
I just think it's a shame to waste these so sturdy storage containers. But who wants to look at them the way they come from the factory with that ugly single color paint finish. This particular storage container came from an employer of mine who was redecorating. Cost: free for the hauling. It was a horrid color though. So I painted it to match my antique white dining room set. Here's how:
Materials list:
1 roll 1/4 inch masking tape.
1 quart Zinsser 123 Primer
Dark brown latex wall paint, I used Oops paint. (mix green and red and BOOM brown)
2 cans of the cheapest white spray paint I could find
--Important-- rough linen fabric. Something with a nice vertical oriented texture.
Wood stain, I use walnut. You need a very very small amount.
A very small amount of black acrylic or whatever. You need some black paint.
Clear coat can be painted with a brush or sprayed. Clear poly.
(BTW, I painted this cabinet about 7 years after I painted these floors, which I talked about here: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/floors-ceilings/painted-concrete-floors-that-last-and-last-and-last-2732974)
I just think it's a shame to waste these so sturdy storage containers. But who wants to look at them the way they come from the factory with that ugly single color paint finish. This particular storage container came from an employer of mine who was redecorating. Cost: free for the hauling. It was a horrid color though. So I painted it to match my antique white dining room set. Here's how:
Materials list:
1 roll 1/4 inch masking tape.
1 quart Zinsser 123 Primer
Dark brown latex wall paint, I used Oops paint. (mix green and red and BOOM brown)
2 cans of the cheapest white spray paint I could find
--Important-- rough linen fabric. Something with a nice vertical oriented texture.
Wood stain, I use walnut. You need a very very small amount.
A very small amount of black acrylic or whatever. You need some black paint.
Clear coat can be painted with a brush or sprayed. Clear poly.
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Published January 1st, 2014 5:30 PM
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4 of 6 comments
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Joanne Cole on Mar 07, 2014
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Joanne Cole on Mar 15, 2014
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Bobbi Perreault on Mar 15, 2014
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