How to Resurface Metal Cabinets

Resurfacing metal cabinets can update the look of your kitchen or bathroom. Over time, metal cabinets can show wear and tear, looking dull or scratched. Resurfacing them provides a quick and affordable way to make them look brand new again. With some preparation and the right materials, you can resurface metal cabinets yourself.

What You Need to Resurface Metal Cabinets

Resurfacing metal cabinets is a relatively easy DIY project. With some simple supplies, patience, and proper prep, you can give your old cabinets a fresh new look. Here is what you will need:

Supplies

• Paint – A high-quality metal paint made for refinishing. Look for brands recommended for cabinets and metal surfaces. An oil-based enamel or urethane paint works best.
• Primer – A metal primer allows the new paint to properly bond to the cabinet surface. Use a steel, metal, or galvanized metal primer.
• Sandpaper – 220- and 320-grit sandpaper removes scratches and roughens up the surface for painting.
• Paint brushes and rollers – Angled brushes reach small areas and trim. Mini rollers apply coats evenly on flat surfaces. Disposable brushes and microfiber rollers work well.
• Paint tray – To hold and distribute the paint to your roller. Look for one with an angled lip.
• Drop cloth – Covers and protects flooring and countertops from paint drips.
• Painters tape – Masks off surfaces you don’t want painted. Delicate surfaces need delicate surfaces painter’s tape.
• TSP substitute – Helps remove grease and residue from cabinet surfaces prior to painting.
• Rags and tack cloth – For cleaning and removing dust between sanding and painting.
• Safety gear – Masks, gloves, and protective eyewear keep you safe. Proper ventilation is a must.

Tools

• Sander – An orbital sander efficiently removes the glossy top layer and sands down scratches.
• Sanding block – For hand sanding smaller details the sander can’t reach.
• Screwdriver – Removing doors, handles, and hinges makes painting easier.
• Painter’s 5-in-1 tool – Helpful for scraping, opening paint cans, and reaching tight areas.
• Stud finder – Locates studs so you can properly support detached doors.
• Level – Ensures doors rehang straight and even.

Having all the necessary supplies and tools on hand makes the project go faster and smoother. Prepare your workspace, gather your materials, and get your safety gear before starting.

How to Prepare Metal Cabinets for Painting

Proper preparation is crucial for getting a smooth, durable finish when resurfacing metal cabinets. Follow these key steps to prep your cabinets for painting:

1. Remove Doors, Drawers, and Hardware

Detaching the cabinet doors, handles, and hinges allows you to paint the frames and doors thoroughly and evenly. Number doors and drawers to ensure proper reinstallation. Use a screwdriver to remove hinges and handles. Place hardware in a bag labeled for each cabinet.

Provide support for doors by leaning them horizontally against sturdy blocks or sawhorses. Lay them on drop cloths to protect the flooring.

2. Clean the Cabinet Surfaces

Give cabinet surfaces a thorough cleaning to remove all grease, grime, wax, and residue. This helps the new paint adhere properly. Mix a TSP substitute cleaning solution according to the brand’s directions. Scrub surfaces with the solution and a scouring pad.

Rinse well and let dry fully. Clean inside cabinets and drawers too.

3. Lightly Sand Cabinets

Use 220-grit sandpaper to lightly scuff up all cabinet surfaces. This roughs up the glossy coating so the primer and paint bond better. Wipe away all dust with a tack cloth.

Sand by hand using a sanding block on details a power sander can’t reach. Avoid scrubbing too aggressively — the goal is to scuff up the gloss, not remove metal.

4. Patch Holes and Repair Defects

Inspect for any scratches, holes, chips or cracks. Use spackle or wood filler to patch minor holes. Sand smooth when dry. Dents can often be removed by placing a damp cloth over them and gently heating with an iron.

Seal any major holes or repairs on metal cabinets with automotive body filler designed for metal. Sand smooth. Larger repairs may require professional help.

5. Prime Metal Surfaces

Metal surfaces need a quality metal primer to prep for painting. Priming helps the paint stick to slick metal and prevents future rust. Stir the primer thoroughly before starting. Apply 2-3 thin, even coats allowing proper drying time between coats.

Use angled trim brushes for hard to reach spots. Turn cabinet doors on their side to comfortably paint borders and edges. Primer coats don’t need to look perfect, but avoid drips.

Let the primer cure according to manufacturer directions. Then lightly sand again with 320-grit sandpaper to smooth any drips or imperfections. Tack cloth the surfaces before painting.

How to Paint Metal Cabinets

Once your cabinets are fully prepped and primed, you’re ready to paint. Follow these tips and techniques for flawless results:

1. Apply Paint in Thin, Even Coats

Thinner paint coats provide a smoother finish than trying to apply one thick coat. Multiple thin coats fully cover without sagging or dripping. Stir paint occasionally to maintain an even consistency.

Use an angled trim brush for painting cabinet frames and rolling mini rollers for flat surfaces. Maintain a slightly overloaded roller for even coverage. Work methodically section to section.

Let each coat fully dry before adding another. Lightly sand then tack cloth between coats to remove any debris or drips. Patience leads to a glossy, seamless finish.

2. Use Painter’s Tape for Clean Lines

Prevent messy drips by carefully taping off adjoining surfaces you don’t want painted. Apply delicate surfaces painter’s tape to surfaces like granite, glass, or tile backsplashes. Remove tape immediately after painting before the paint dries.

Angle trim brushes allow you to cut in clean lines along countertops, ceilings, and borders. Maintain a steady hand and take your time. Touch ups may be needed.

3. Work Top to Bottom

Paint upper cabinet sections first, then lower ones. Gravity causes drips, so working top to bottom prevents ruining freshly painted lower areas. For doors, paint the inside frame edges first. Then flip to do outer edges and faces.

4. Paint Cabinet Interiors and Drawer Boxes

Avoid forgetting inner cabinet surfaces and drawer interiors. Use small trim brushes and mini rollers to paint these areas before reinstalling drawers and doors. Allow proper dry time so drawers don’t stick.

5. Check for Full Coverage

Inspect cabinets closely once dry to check for any missed spots or thin coverage. Catching flaws now makes touch ups easier compared to later. Touch up paint may not exactly match if days or weeks pass between coats.

6. Allow Proper Cure Time

Oil-based cabinet paint requires 7-14 days to fully cure and harden before installing doors and drawers. Don’t rush reassembly — doors and drawers will stick if paint isn’t fully cured. Insufficient cure time also causes chipping and damage down the road.

Tips for a Flawless Painted Finish

Follow these helpful tips as you resurface your metal cabinets for a smooth, durable finish:

• Maintain a wet edge as you paint. Avoid lap marks by brushing areas just painted.
• Work in a dust-free area. Cover nearby vent ducts to prevent airborne dust from landing in fresh paint.
• Periodically mix paint to prevent pigments from settling unevenly.
• Apply paint with the wood grain on doors and frames when possible.
• Ensure proper ventilation as oil-based paints have strong fumes.
• Use florescent lighting to see small imperfections needing touch up.
• Caulk gaps around cabinets before painting for a seamless finish.
• Label hardware bags by cabinet so all pieces get reinstalled properly.
• Let paint fully cure before cleaning cabinets or placing dishes inside.

With preparation and patience, your dated metal cabinets can look amazingly renewed. Resurfacing cabinets saves money compared to a full remodel. Just take your time following each step properly. Soon you’ll have a kitchen gleaming with fresh new cabinets.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resurfacing Metal Cabinets

What type of paint should be used on metal cabinets?

An oil-based enamel or urethane paint formulated for metal surfaces works best. Avoid latex paints which don’t bond well and tend to chip over time. Opt for a satin, semi-gloss, or gloss sheen for a smooth finish.

Do metal cabinets need to be primed before painting?

Yes, metal primer provides an essential base layer that helps the paint stick. Without a primer, paint may scratch, flake, or peel. Effective metal primers include zinc phosphate, etching primer, and galvanized metal primer.

Should cabinet doors be removed before painting?

Removing doors makes painting easier. Detaching doors allows full access to cabinet frames and painting door sections horizontally without drips. Number doors to ensure proper realignment. Provide proper support for removed doors.

How long does it take for cabinet paint to cure?

Oil-based cabinet paint requires 7-14 days to fully cure and harden before reinstalling doors and drawers. If not fully cured, doors may stick and paint can peel or scratch. Proper cure time results in a durable, lasting finish.

Can metal cabinets be spray painted instead of brush painted?

Yes, spray painting with an HVLP spray system is an alternative for resurfacing metal cabinets. However, brush painting often provides a more even coat and prevents overspray on nearby surfaces.

What grit sandpaper should be used on metal cabinets?

Start with a 220-grit sandpaper to remove the glossy coat and rough up surfaces. Then use 320-grit for smoothing between primer and paint coats. Avoid coarser paper that can scratch the metal. Hand sand for finishing touches.

How do you prep metal cabinets for painting?

• Remove doors, drawers and hardware
• Thoroughly clean and degrease surfaces
• Lightly scuff sand to rough up gloss
• Repair any cracks, holes or imperfections
• Apply 2-3 coats of a metal primer
• Lightly sand again before painting

What sheen of paint should be used on kitchen cabinets?

Semi-gloss and satin finishes resist dirt and are easy to clean, making them well-suited for kitchen cabinets. Glossy paint provides a smooth, luxurious look but requires diligent upkeep. Matte or flat paints work for low-use cabinets but stain easier.

Can I use the same paint on cabinet boxes and doors?

Yes, use the same paint for cabinet frames, doors, and boxes for uniformity. Use mini-rollers and angled brushes to paint boxes. Flip doors horizontally to comfortably paint. Oil-based enamel paints hold up on all cabinet surfaces.

How long should I wait between paint coats on cabinets?

Checking paint can directions is best, but plan on 2-4 hours between thin paint coats. Cooler temperatures or higher humidity lengthen drying times. Allow coats to dry fully before sanding or recoating. Rushing between coats risks trapping moisture.

Conclusion

Resurfacing metal cabinets provides a budget-friendly kitchen or bathroom update. With proper preparation, high-quality primer and paint, and attention to detail, you can completely transform the look of your metal cabinets. The project does require patience – resist shortcuts and allow ample drying and cure times. Use fine grit sandpaper and apply thin, even paint coats. Focusing on each step creates a durable, renewed finish. With some elbow grease and TLC, you can have stunning metal cabinets accenting your home.