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Painting metal cabinets/cupboards

 

I have a very old kitchen sink (white porcelain)and the cabinet and drawers are white metal. I would like to paint them a color....what kind of paint works best?

Mary Jager
- Mitchell, South Dakota

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Mary,

Like in all painting the key to a good finish is in th prepartion more so than the material. The cabinet should be lightly sanded to remove all gloss and level out chips. Then it should be lightly wiped with a mild solvent or similar non solvent detergent material to remove all oil and grease. Finally, wipe with a tack rag. Enamel paints will work best from a standard of longevity with urethanes up at the top. Oil based or latex is a personal preference although oil base seems to get somewhat better adhesion.

Also very good are products like Rustoleum, etc.

(I may be in the plating industry now, but once upon a time I was a metal shop teacher!)

Good luck,

Gene Packman
process supplier - Great Neck, New York