Painting worn, dated metal kitchen cabinets can revive your kitchen without the expense of installing new cabinets. With careful preparation and the right paint, you can make metal cabinets look like real wood. Here is a step-by-step guide to painting metal kitchen cabinets to look like woodgrain.
Clean and Prepare the Cabinets
Thoroughly clean the cabinet surfaces with a degreasing agent like TSP. This removes any grease, oil or soap buildup that could prevent proper paint adhesion. Use a plastic scouring pad to scrub away any rust spots.
Sand the cabinets lightly with 220 grit sandpaper to rough up the surface for the paint. This allows the paint to grip the metal. Be sure to sand inside drawers and cabinet boxes too. Clean up all sanding dust with a vacuum and tack cloth.
Fill any scratches or gouges with wood filler and let dry completely. Sand smooth. Carefully caulk around the perimeter of the cabinet face frames with paintable caulk for a smooth finish.
Wipe again with a tack cloth before painting to pick up any remaining dust. Proper preparation is key to a long-lasting paint job.
Choose Wood-Like Paint Colors
For a convincing wood look, select paint colors that resemble natural wood tones. Light, medium and dark brown are good base colors. You can also pick a grayish taupe or beige for a weathered wood effect.
Semi-gloss or satin paints will ensure a smooth finish that highlights the woodgrain pattern. Buy specialty cabinet paint or use regular high-quality acrylic latex paint. Primer formulated for metal promotes adhesion.
Add Woodgrain Texture
After applying a basecoat of paint in your desired hue, let it dry fully. To recreate a realistic woodgrain, brush on glaze or gel stain in a darker brown over the base color. Using a clean rag, immediately wipe off the glaze unevenly so some areas are darker than others. This gives a authentic wood look with variations in tone.
Alternatively, you can use woodgrain finish paint such as Rust-Oleum’s Transformations Cabinet Kit. It contains basecoat and glaze to simplify the faux wood process. Apply with a brush, small roller or paint pad for textured wood effect.
Seal and Protect the Finish
Once your faux wood paint job is complete, it’s important to seal and protect the finish. Water-based polyurethane is ideal for acrylic latex paints. Apply 2-3 coats with a brush, allowing drying time between coats. The polyurethane clear topcoat prevents scratches, water damage, grease stains and more.
With these steps, you can easily convert plain metal kitchen cabinets into beautiful faux wood cabinets. Prep work is key to success. Take your time applying the woodgrain finish for results that look amazingly real. Your outdated kitchen will feel brand new!
Frequently Asked Questions About Painting Metal Kitchen Cabinets
What type of paint should I use?
Specialty cabinet paint or high-quality acrylic latex paint works best. Opt for semi-gloss or satin sheens. Primer made for metal helps paint adhere.
How do I get a smooth finish?
Proper prep by cleaning, sanding and caulking is essential. Use a small foam roller or high-density brush. Sand lightly between coats. Apply multiple thin coats instead of one thick coat.
What colors look most like wood?
Shades of brown, beige, gray and taupe resemble most wood tones. Consider a dark walnut or reddish mahogany shade for rich wood looks. Mix a custom color to match existing wood floors or counters.
Should I use paint or stain?
Paint is better for a smooth, consistent faux wood finish. Stains tend to look blotchy on metal. Use glazes and gel stains over paint to add realistic woodgrain effects.
How do I create woodgrain texture?
After the basecoat dries, brush on glaze in a darker shade. Immediately wipe some areas clean for color variations. Or use graining tools to imprint texture. Specialty paints have built-in woodgrain finish.
Should I paint the cabinet interior?
Yes, painting the inside boxes and drawer sides makes the woodgrain effect more convincing. Use high-quality enamel paint for durability inside cabinets.
What sheen should I use?
Satin or semi-gloss paints are ideal finishes. The subtle sheen enhances the woodgrain effect. Matte paint looks flat and unrealistic for faux wood. High-gloss is too shiny.
How durable is faux wood paint?
The finish can last many years with proper prep and sealing. Use cabinet paints formulated for hard wear and washability. Protect with 3 coats of polyurethane for maximum durability.
Conclusion
Upgrading dated, worn metal kitchen cabinets doesn’t have to mean replacing them. With some simple paint techniques, you can give your old cabinets a fresh wood makeover. Following the steps for thorough prep work, wood-tone painting, graining and sealing will lead to a stunning, realistic result. Roll up your sleeves and get painting – you’ll love the beautiful new wood cabinet look!