Painting metal cabinets can completely transform the look of your kitchen or bathroom. With a fresh coat of paint, old and worn cabinets can be revived into looking brand new. Painting metal cabinets is also a budget-friendly way to change the color scheme or style of your space without the investment of installing new cabinetry.
However, properly preparing and painting metal cabinets requires some care to achieve the best results. Unlike painting wood cabinets, metal has a slick, non-porous surface that requires special treatment for paint to properly adhere. Additionally, the cleaning process is important to remove grease and oils that can cause peeling.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the steps and considerations for painting metal cabinets, from cleaning and preparing the surfaces to choosing paint finishes and techniques to achieve flawless results. Follow these tips and techniques for beautiful, long-lasting painted metal cabinets.
Clean and Prepare the Cabinets Thoroughly
Thorough surface preparation is crucial for achieving great results when painting metal cabinets. Unlike wood, metal has an ultra-smooth surface that paint can easily peel off of if not properly prepped. Follow these steps to properly clean and prepare metal cabinets before painting:
Remove Cabinet Doors and Hardware
Removing the cabinet doors, drawers, and all hardware such as hinges and handles is the first step. This allows you to fully access all surfaces and prevents paint from getting onto the hardware pieces. Carefully number doors and drawers to ensure proper reinstallation.
Place door knobs, handles, and hinges in a sealed container to keep hardware organized and separated from paint. For easier painting, lay cabinet doors on saw horses or across a table horizontally.
Clean All Surfaces
Thoroughly clean all cabinet surfaces with a grease-cutting dish soap and warm water solution. Use a sponge or soft cloth to scrub away grease, oils, food splatter, or any other grime on the cabinet boxes, doors, interior surfaces, and hardware pieces.
Avoid abrasive scrubbers or anything that could scratch the metal finish. Rinse all surfaces well after cleaning and let fully dry. This step is important to remove contaminants that can cause adhesion issues.
Lightly Sand Shiny Surfaces
If the metal has a high-gloss finish, lightly sanding helps rough up the ultra-smooth surface so paint can grip better. Use 220-400 grit sandpaper to lightly scuff up all surfaces of cabinet boxes, doors, and drawers.
Be sure to sand evenly and uniformly. After sanding, wipe sanded surfaces with a tack cloth to remove any dust. Let dry completely before applying primer.
Use Deglosser on Previously Painted Cabinets
For metal cabinets that were previously coated in glossy paint or enamel, use a deglossing solution instead of sanding. Deglosser chemically etches the slick painted surface to help the new paint adhere.
Apply a deglossing agent with a cloth and let it sit for 15 minutes before wiping clean. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and let dry before priming or painting.
Repair Damage Areas
Check the metal cabinets for any chips, cracks, or holes that need repairing. Use a metal filler compound to patch and smooth any problem areas before painting. Once dry, sand repaired spots flush with the surrounding surface.
Filler and repair kits made specifically for metal surfaces generally offer the best results. Be sure to follow package directions for proper application and drying times.
Mask Off Nearby Surfaces
Use painter’s tape and plastic sheeting to mask off any nearby surfaces like walls, countertops, floors, etc. This protects other areas from drips or splatters when painting the cabinets.
Apply tape gently to avoid pulling up existing paint or wallpaper when it’s time to remove. Masking off nearby surfaces also gives you the freedom to paint without worrying about precision.
Prime Metal Cabinets Before Painting
Primer plays an essential role in preparing metal surfaces for accepting paint properly. Primers made specifically for metals contain ingredients to maximize adhesion. The increased grip helps the final paint coat bond tightly and prevents peeling or chipping.
For professional results, a high-quality metal primer is a must. Here are some important tips for priming metal cabinets:
Choose the Right Metal Primer
Look for a primer made specifically for smooth metal surfaces when prepping metal cabinets. Often called bonding primers, they contain special formulation to etch into slick surfaces and form a grippy base.
Oil or shellac-based metal primers provide excellent adhesion and are very durable. Alternatively, water-based acrylic formulas offer lower odor and easier cleanup. brands like Zinsser, Rust-Oleum, and Krylon all make quality metal primers in both categories.
Apply in Thin, Even Coats
It’s better to apply multiple thin coats of primer rather than one thick coat. Thinner coats adhere better and are less likely to run or drip. Read the product directions to determine recommended dry time between coats.
Use a high density foam roller or nylon/polyester brush to apply primer in smooth, even strokes without overbrushing. Make sure to coat inside cabinet boxes and drawers in addition to exterior surfaces.
Let Primer Fully Dry
Allow the primer coat to dry thoroughly before painting, usually at least 24 hours. Drying times may vary some by product, so read labels carefully for the manufacturer’s recommended dry time before recoating.
Primer that hasn’t fully cured before painting could compromise adhesion. Patience leads to better results. Lightly sanding between coats with fine sandpaper helps improve adhesion too.
Choose the Right Paint Finish and Sheen
Choosing the right paint finish and sheen level is important both for appearance and durability when painting metal cabinets. Here are some tips for selecting the optimal paint type and sheen:
Opt for Durable Enamel Paint
For metal cabinets, high-quality enamel paints provide the most durable, longest lasting finish. Enamel paints contain a higher ratio of resins to binders to create an extra tough, glass-like coating.
Enamel paint’s hard, scratch-resistant finish makes it ideal for high-use kitchen or bathroom cabinets. The coating is also washable and easy to keep clean. Oil-based enamel will be tougher than water-based, but both offer good durability.
Consider Desired Sheen Level
Paint sheens range from flat to high gloss, with several options in between. Sheen impacts the paint’s light reflection and washability. High gloss looks slick and smooth, while flat has no shine and a velvety look.
For cabinets, semi-gloss and satin sheens are often the best compromise between shine and stain resistance. Gloss and high gloss look striking on contemporary style cabinets. Traditional cabinets often suit soft sheens like eggshell or satin.
Buy High-Quality Paint Brands
When investing time into painting cabinets, using the highest quality paint you can afford makes a difference. Premium cabinet paint brands like Benjamin Moore Advance or Fusion offer exceptional flow, coverage, and protection.
Multi-surface paint + primer brands like BEHR Premium Plus Enamel also perform excellently on cabinets for a lower price point. Avoid cheap bargain brands for important cabinet surfaces.
Stick to Darker, Richer Hues
Deep, darker paint colors often look best on cabinets and conceal wear better than lighter tones. Rich shades of navy, hunter green, charcoal, black, and deep red all make cabinets stand out.
Light paint colors show more defects in the surface underneath. If set on a light color, use a tinted primer or extra coats for better coverage and durability.
Carefully Apply Paint with Proper Technique
Applying cabinet paint properly ensures an attractive, durable finish. Follow these tips for great results painting metal cabinets:
Work in Thin, Even Coatings
As with priming, apply paint in multiple thin layers instead of attempting to get full coverage in one thick coat. Thin coats create a smoother finish without sagging or running.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper dry time between coats. Typically 2-3 thin coats of enamel paint provide good coverage on cabinets. Lightly sanding between coats improves adhesion.
Use High Quality Brushes and Rollers
Invest in quality nylon or polyester angled brushes made for fine finish work. Mini foam rollers help quickly apply an even coat on large flat areas. Quality applicators make painting easier.
Avoid using old brushes with bent or missing bristles. Change rollers or pads when they become matted and stop applying paint smoothly.
Apply With the Grain of the Metal
Brush or roll paint on with long, smooth strokes following the grain of the metal cabinets. This helps the paint glide on easily and look most attractive.
On cabinet door panels, apply paint in the direction of the thin grain lines rather than against them for a seamless look.
Work Methodically Section-by-Section
Painting cabinets can feel overwhelming. Make it manageable by painting one section at a time, such as all the lower doors and drawers first, then the lower boxes, then upper doors, etc.
Completely finish painting each section before moving to the next. This prevents drips, minimizes brush marks, and ensures no missed spots.
Inspect Between Coats
Closely examine surfaces after each coat of paint for any thin patches, drips, or brush marks. Use a small foam brush to smooth and touch up any problem spots with extra paint before applying the next coat.
Proper prep work and patient, methodical paint application minimizes imperfections. But carefully inspecting between coats ensures the finish looks seamless.
Remove Tape Promptly
Carefully remove painter’s tape and masking as soon as you finish painting each section. Leaving tape on until paint fully dries can cause it to peel off existing layers below the fresh paint.
Remove tape gradually at a 45 degree angle to avoid ripping up old paint or wallpaper. Touch up edges along tape lines if needed.
Allow Proper Cure Time Before Use
It’s important to give painted metal cabinets several days to fully cure before regular use. Initial drying may only take 1-2 days, but full curing takes longer. Two weeks is ideal. Here are some tips:
Let Paint Air Dry Completely
Avoid speeding up paint drying with heat from blow dryers, space heaters, or direct sunlight. Slow air drying creates the hardest, most durable finish. Keep room temperature around 70°F.
Position doors horizontally on sawhorses or tables so air can circulate on all sides. Vertical surfaces like boxes dry slower. Give 1-2 days minimum initial dry time.
Wait at Least 72 Hours Before Rehanging
Leave doors, drawers, and hardware off the cabinet boxes for at least 3 days after painting. Early reinstallation and use can damage uncured paint.
Setting doors on top of waxed paper after painting prevents them from sticking. Just be sure to store them flat and without contact against other surfaces.
Avoid Heavy Use or Cleaning for 2 Weeks
It takes a full 2 weeks for most cabinet paints to completely cure and achieve maximum hardness. Avoid banging doors or scrubbing surfaces for this period.
Use cabinets lightly during this time. Don’t load them up fully or use harsh cleaners. The gentler you are, the better! Extend time if possible.
Consider a Curing Agent
Products like Bloxygen or XIM Extender can help spray paints and finishes cure harder and faster. These are especially helpful when painting cabinets you need to use urgently.
Follow product directions carefully. While they accelerate curing, full hardness still takes weeks. So treat cabinets with care even when using curing agents.
Maintain Painted Cabinets Properly
Taking proper care of painted metal cabinets helps keep them looking freshly painted for years. Here are some tips for maintaining your painted cabinets:
Use Gentle Cleaners
Avoid harsh abrasive cleaners, scouring powders, or anything acidic when cleaning painted cabinets. These can damage the paint surface over time.
For regular cleaning, use a mild dish soap and soft cloth. For grime, spray a small amount of degreaser onto the cloth instead of directly on cabinets.
Touch Up Scuffs Quickly
Check cabinets frequently for any signs of wear, scuffs, or scratches in the paint. Gently sand and touch up these areas immediately with matching paint to prevent further damage.
Addressing it right away makes the fix quick and easy compared to letting it get worse. Keep paint leftover from the original job for easy touchups.
Add New Top Coat as Needed
If painted cabinets start looking dull or worn after a few years, freshen them up with a new top coat of paint. Lightly sand and clean surfaces first to remove gloss and rough up existing finish.
Apply 1-2 fresh coats of durable enamel paint in the original color. This revive cabinets without having to strip and fully repaint.
Fully Repaint Every 5-10 Years
For long term maintenance, expect to fully clean, sand, prime, and repaint metal cabinets every 5-10 years on average. Environment, usage levels, and quality of prep work impact lifespan.
Periodically repainting cabinets keeps them looking fresh and new. Use the original painting steps to prep and repaint cabinets when needed.
Common Questions About Painting Metal Cabinets
Many homeowners have additional questions when learning how to paint metal cabinets. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
Can I Paint Metal Cabinets Without Sanding?
Light sanding creates the best adhesion on slick metal surfaces. However, if metal was previously sanded or has a rougher finish, you may be able to clean thoroughly and prime without sanding. Always test a small area first. If paint scrapes off easily, sanding is needed.
What Kind of Paint Adheres Best to Metal?
Quality bonding primers and enamels designed specifically for metal provide the most durable finish on metal cabinets. Oil or shellac-based formulas grip metal best. On previously painted metal, using a deglosser is recommended for proper adhesion.
How Do I Achieve a Smooth Finish on Metal Cabinets?
Proper prep to create a profile that paint can grip, combined with applying multiple thin coats of quality enamel paint, results in the smoothest finish. Sanding between coats also improves smoothness. High quality mini foam rollers leave the least stippling texture.
Can I Paint Over Rust on Metal Cabinets?
For small rust spots, first remove rust thoroughly with sandpaper or a wire brush, then spot prime bare metal before painting. For heavily rusted cabinets, consider a rust converting primer to stabilize deeper rust before covering with paint.
What Sheen is Best for Painting Metal Kitchen Cabinets?
A satin, eggshell, or semi-gloss sheen offers the best durability and ease of cleaning for kitchen cabinet paint. These sheens resist moisture, stains, and grease well while still offering some subtle shine. High gloss looks striking but shows imperfections.
Transform Your Metal Cabinets with a Fresh Coat of Paint
Painting metal kitchen or bathroom cabinets allows you to revive outdated or worn cabinets on a budget. By properly preparing the surface, applying suitable primer and paint, and using careful techniques, you can achieve showroom-worthy results.
Always remember the importance of thorough cleaning and light sanding prior to starting. Take time to apply multiple thin coats of premium bonding primer and enamel paint. Wait the full cure time before reinstalling doors and drawers and putting cabinets back into use.
With the tips provided above for properly painting metal cabinets from start to finish, you can refresh your space with long-lasting results. Just think of the transformation you can achieve with a powerful paint makeover without the investment of new cabinetry!