Giving your metal kitchen cabinets a wooded look can transform the entire ambiance of your kitchen. With just a few easy steps, you can make your modern metal cabinets appear like they are made of beautiful, natural wood. This faux wood finish not only looks great but is also very budget-friendly compared to replacing your existing cabinets.
Prepping Your Metal Cabinets for Painting
Before you start painting, you need to properly prepare your metal cabinets so the paint adheres correctly. Here are the key steps:
- Remove the cabinet doors and drawers from the metal frames. Take off all the hardware like knobs and hinges as well. This gives you easier access to all the surfaces.
- Clean the cabinet boxes, doors, and drawers thoroughly with a degreasing agent like TSP. This removes any oils or grease that could prevent proper paint adhesion.
- Sand all the surfaces lightly with 120-150 grit sandpaper. This roughs up the slick metal just enough for the primer and paint to stick.
- Clean again with a tack cloth after sanding to remove any dust.
- Apply a high-quality bonding primer to all the sanded surfaces. The primer helps the paint stick to the metal. Allow to fully dry per the manufacturer’s directions.
Choosing Your Faux Wood Paint Colors
Now comes the fun part – picking out paint colors! You’ll want two complementary colors for a realistic faux wood look:
- Base Color: This is the main color and should resemble a light natural wood tone like oak, birch, or maple. Soft beiges and light browns work well.
- Accent Color: Pick a slightly darker brown with warm undertones. Reddish browns add striking grain-like detail.
You can use regular latex paints for the job. Matte or eggshell finishes look most realistic. Buy samples bottles first to test colors.
Creating Wood Grain with Paint
Here are two easy techniques for making metal cabinets look like natural wood grain:
Ragging Method
This uses a rag directly on the wet painted surface to create grain-like patterns:
- Apply your base color evenly across the surface with a paint roller or brush.
- While paint is still wet, rub a lint-free rag back and forth to create wood grain texture.
- Accent with the darker paint in cracks and crevices for depth.
- Let dry fully before applying protective clear coat.
Brushing Technique
This uses different brush strokes to paint on the wood effect:
- Apply base color with roller in vertical strokes to mimic wood grain.
- Use a chipping brush in opposite horizontal strokes with accent color.
- Drag chipping brush lightly to create streaks that look like real wood texture.
- While still wet, use a dry brush to blend and soften brush strokes.
- Let dry completely before adding a clear top coat for protection.
Top Coat for Protection and Sheen
The last step is applying a clear protective top coat over the painted wood finish:
- Use a polyurethane or varnish for kitchen cabinets to protect from moisture, grease splatters, etc.
- Apply at least 2 coats following manufacturer’s directions, sanding lightly between coats.
- For a nice sheen, consider a satin or semi-gloss finish. Matte is good for a more raw, worn look.
- Allow the top coat to cure fully, around a week. Then reinstall the doors, drawers, and hardware.
Maintaining Your Faux Wood Finish
With proper prep and application, your faux wood cabinet paint job can last for many years with just simple maintenance:
- Keep cabinets clean by wiping down with a soft cloth and mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
- Hand wash and dry any water that gets on cabinets to prevent finish breakdown.
- Reapply protective clear coat every 2-3 years or as needed if finish becomes worn.
- Touch up paint scratches/nicks as soon as possible to avoid damage spreading.
With some effort, almost any outdated, boring metal kitchen cabinets can be magically transformed into beautiful “wood” showpieces that look custom-made. The faux wood finish adds warm, homey style at just a fraction of the cost of brand new cabinets!
Frequently Asked Questions About Faux Wood Finish for Metal Kitchen Cabinets
What types of metal cabinets can be painted to look like wood?
You can create a faux wood finish on any type of metal kitchen cabinetry including stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized steel, and laminated thermofoil. Proper prep and primer allow the paint to adhere to any metal surface.
What’s the best primer to use when painting metal cabinets?
An etching or bonding primer formulated especially for slick metal surfaces is ideal. It roughens up the metal and helps the paint grab on and achieve maximum adhesion. Popular options include Rust-Oleum Automotive Primer and KILZ Adhesion Primer.
Can I get away with just one base coat of paint?
It’s best to apply two coats of your base color paint even if the first coat seems to cover well. The second coat evens out the finish, covers up any thin spots you may have missed, and ensures a durable finish. Let the first coat dry fully before adding the second.
What type of clear coat is best for protecting painted kitchen cabinets?
A polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer formulated specifically for cabinets and heavily used surfaces like kitchen counters and tables is ideal. These provide a protective barrier that is resistant to moisture, grease, food stains, and abrasion. Apply at least two coats.
How soon can I use my cabinets after painting and top coating?
It’s crucial to allow each coat of primer, paint, and clear coat to cure fully before use – this usually takes 5-7 days. Check the product labels for recommended cure times. Trying to use the cabinets too soon could damage the finish.
Will my faux wood finish eventually start peeling or chipping?
Quality primer and paint coupled with proper surface prep should result in a finish that will not peel or chip prematurely. Avoid excessive moisture and abrasive cleaners. Touch up any nicks or damage right away to maintain the look. Reapplying a fresh top coat every few years is a good idea too.
Conclusion
Transforming metal kitchen cabinets with a faux wood grained finish can give a dated, boring kitchen a whole new look for a reasonable price. With some simple paint techniques and the right products, even amateur DIYers can achieve furniture-quality results. Pay close attention to proper prep, application and cure times to ensure your painted-on wood grain withstands the rigors of a busy kitchen. Your beautiful “wood” cabinetry will look custom-made!