Painting wooden cabinets to look like metal is a great way to update the look of your kitchen or bathroom without the expense of installing new cabinets. With the right preparatory steps, paint colors, and techniques, you can entirely transform the style of your cabinets. Painting your cabinets to resemble metal can create an edgy, modern, or industrial vibe. This extensive guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions to paint your wood cabinets to convincingly emulate a metal finish.
Planning Your Metal-Effect Cabinet Paint Project
Before starting your metal paint project, take some time to plan the process. Proper planning will help ensure you achieve the look you want.
Choose the Right Paint
The most important product selection for this project is the paint. Look for specialty cabinet paints designed for a metallic finish. Options include:
- Metallic paint: Contains tiny metallic or mica particles to create a shimmery look. Comes in various finishes like silver, gold, copper, bronze, etc.
- Hammered metal paint: Has a textured look to mimic hammered metal.
- Stainless steel paint: Formulated to imitate a brushed stainless steel appearance.
Make sure to get paint specifically designed for long-lasting adhesion on cabinets. Avoid cheaper craft metallic paints which won’t hold up.
Select a Paint Color
Popular metal cabinet colors include:
- Silver
- Pewter
- Gunmetal gray
- Oil-rubbed bronze
- Antique brass
- Aged copper
Silver and gray tones work well for a sleek modern look, while bronze and copper create a more rustic or vintage feel.
Get color swatches to view hues in person before deciding. Lighting conditions can alter how metallic paints look.
Clean Cabinets Thoroughly
Before painting, thoroughly clean cabinet surfaces and remove all grease, grime, and residues. Degrease wood cabinets using a diluted TSP solution. For laminate cabinets, clean with isopropyl alcohol.
Sand and Prep Wood Surfaces
Lightly sand wood cabinets to degloss and roughen the surface. This helps the paint better adhere.
Fill any cracks, nail holes, or imperfections with wood filler and sand smooth.
Remove cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware and clean separately. Lightly sand doors and drawers as well.
Use Adhesion Promoter
After cleaning and sanding, apply a bonding primer or adhesion promoter to the cabinets per the manufacturer’s directions. This undercoat helps the topcoat paint stick tightly.
Cover Surrounding Areas
Before painting, cover nearby surfaces like countertops, floors, and walls to protect them from drips and spray. Use plastic sheeting and painter’s tape.
Ventilate the Room
Ensure the room has adequate ventilation to allow fumes to escape when painting. Open windows and use fans or exhaust fans.
How to Paint Cabinets for a Metal Look
With the right products and techniques, you can make your wood cabinets look convincingly metallic.
Apply Base Coat
After proper prep, apply a uniform base coat of quality primer to the cabinets. Primer enhances paint adhesion and evens out porous wood surfaces. For a smooth finish, sand gently between coats.
Add Metallic Paint Topcoat
Using a high-density foam roller, apply the specialty metallic paint per the manufacturer’s instructions. Maintain a “wet edge” and work methodically to prevent lap marks.
Applying the paint too thickly or thinly will affect results. Follow the coverage guidelines on the label.
Tips for application:
- Work in sections for easier blending
- Keep a wet edge to prevent lap marks
- Maintain consistent brush or roller strokes
- Work quickly to avoid dry edges
Apply at least 2-3 thin, even coats for full coverage, allowing proper dry time between coats. The metallic effect develops fully as the paint layers build.
Consider Adding Clear Topcoat
For added protection, apply 1-2 thin coats of a clear acrylic sealer over the metallic paint. Use a water-based polyurethane designed for cabinets. The clear coat helps prevent chipping and seals in the finish.
Remove Tape and Reinstall Hardware
After the final coat is completely cured, gently remove all painter’s tape. Reinstall the cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware. Your glamorous metallic makeover is complete!
Achieving a Realistic Metal Look
To convince the eye your cabinets are truly metal rather than wood, pay attention to these important details:
Maintain Uniform Brushstrokes
When applying the paint, maintain consistent horizontal brush or roller strokes. This creates the pattern that imitates real metal panels. Avoid visible roller stippling or brush marks.
Get Full Coverage
Metallic paint is transparent, so the base color coat must provide complete, opaque coverage. If wood grain shows through, it ruins the metallic illusion. Apply enough basecoat paint for uniform coverage.
Go for Realistic Imperfections
Perfectly smooth metallic cabinets look obviously painted. Recreate metal’s natural irregularities:
- Use varied pressure with the roller to add slight indentations
- While drying, gently press a textured rag against the surface to emboss subtle patterns
- Add some intentional nicks or scratches with fine sandpaper once cured
Focus on Details
Metallic finishes reflect light differently than wood. Use metallic paint on all visible surfaces like cabinet trim and inside open shelves. This completes the visual effect.
Match Cabinet Hardware
Hardware that contrasts starkly with the metallic finish makes cabinets look fake. Replace dated hardware with matte silver, stainless steel, or oil-rubbed bronze pulls and knobs. Coordinate with the cabinet color.
Tips for a Professional Metallic Paint Finish
Follow these best practices to get flawless results:
- Use high-quality applicators – Avoid cheap rollers that shed lint
- Check for paint compatibility – Some coatings don’t stick to metals
- Follow all drying times – Rushing causes imperfections
- Work in proper conditions – Not in direct sun or high humidity
- Clean sprayers thoroughly – Metallic paint clogs easily
- Stir paint frequently – Metallic particles settle quickly
- Use painter’s pyramids for raised doors – Prevents dripping on details
- Apply thin coats – Thick paint wrinkles and drips
Patience is crucial! Rushing the process leads to a poor end result. Allow sufficient drying time between steps.
Common Problems and Solutions
Here are some common issues that may arise and how to fix them:
Problem: Brush strokes and roller marks are visible
Solution: Use high-density foam rollers and maintain constant stroke speed. Roll in the direction of the wood grain.
Problem: Paint is streaky or blotchy
Solution: The coverage is too thin; apply additional coats until uniform. Also, the sprayer tip may be clogged.
Problem: Bubbling or cracking
Solution: The paint is too thick. Add paint thinner per the label directions to improve flow. Also, ensure proper drying times between coats.
Problem: Paint drips from raised cabinet doors
Solution: Use painter’s pyramids under doors when painting to keep the surface horizontal.
Problem: Final finish feels rough/gritty
Solution: Gently sand between coats to smooth. Or the final clearcoat finish wasn’t applied.
Problem: Metallic finish looks fake or blotchy under lights
Solution: The basecoat coverage is uneven. Apply additional thin primer/paint coats for consistent coverage.
FAQs About Painting Cabinets to Look Like Metal
People researching how to paint wood cabinets to look like metal often have these common questions:
Does Metallic Paint Work on Laminate Cabinets?
Yes, you can use metallic paints to change the look of plastic laminate cabinets. Degloss and rough up the surface first using fine sandpaper. Always test for paint adhesion. Apply specialty plastic primer before the metallic paint.
How Durable is Metallic Paint on Cabinets?
Top-quality cabinet paints provide a hard, scratch-resistant finish that holds up to daily use and cleaning. Avoid cheaper craft metallic paints. Apply a protective clear topcoat for enhanced durability and stain resistance.
Should I Remove Cabinet Doors to Paint?
Yes, removing doors makes painting easier. Also remove drawers, shelves, and hardware. Lay doors flat to paint. Make sure to label each door to ensure proper reinstallation.
Can I Get a Brushed Metal Look With Paint?
Yes! Some metallic cabinet paints like Modern Masters’ Stainless Steel Paint mimic a realistic brushed finish. Or apply the paint, let it partially dry, then brush lightly with a dry paintbrush to add texture.
How Long Does Metallic Paint Take to Dry?
Drying times vary based on humidity, ventilation, paint brand, and thickness applied. Most metallic cabinet paints dry to the touch within 1-3 hours but may take up to 7 days to fully cure. Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
How Do You Maintain Metallic Painted Cabinets?
Clean gently using a microfiber cloth and mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scrubbing pads. Reapply topcoat sealer every 1-2 years or as needed to refresh the finish. Touch up any nicks or scratches promptly.
Get a Sophisticated Metallic Finish With Ease
Transforming wood cabinets into a modern metal look is simpler than you think. With the right preparation, products, and application techniques, even novice DIYers can get pro-quality results. Metallic cabinetry immediately elevates the style of any kitchen or bath. The visual impact is dramatic yet surprisingly affordable compared to brand new metal cabinets. Revamp your space with on-trend metallic painted cabinets that look factory-finished. Just take the process step-by-step. Soon you’ll have a magazine-worthy metallic makeover sure to impress any guest.