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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Refinishing old metal kitchen cabinets

I am a non-professional/hobbyist furniture refinisher. I have stripped an old metal kitchen cabinet which I now wish to repaint. There was very little rust on the cabinet; I have primed it. The interior of the cabinet is too small to give me room for a "sweeping" spray pattern, so I fear drips from overspraying, especially in the corners. Furthermore, the spray cans I have used on the exterior occasionally splurt blobs of paint! I bought some paint for metal surfaces and, on the advice of the hardware store salesperson, foam sponges instead of brushes to apply this to the exterior. After 3 thin coats, I am not satisfied with the finish -- it looks streaky, with the primer or lighter coats showing through. What are my options to get a nice smooth, not real glossy, surface? Thanks!

Carol Welch
hobbyist - Denver, Colorado
2007

Try using a "dust in" or touch up paint gun. You can get a knock off of a major brand at places like Harbor Freight. some auto paint supply stores have cheap ones also. For really fine but slow work you could use an air brush. Typically you have to thin the paint significantly to use these. You would also want one with a large spray pattern. Some cheap kits only have medium tips. Google - air brush- and see what you come up with for vendors.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2007