Painting metal kitchen cabinets — and a peek at Stephan’s new ‘58 Palm Springs pad — Tony Curtis provenance!

Stephan from Palm Springs makes me oh-so-happy when he writes to compliment the blog — and moreover, to share great info on how to have vintage steel kitchen cabinets repainted.

Stephan writes: I just found your website today. I am THRILLED to have done so! The wealth of information is staggering. I am in the process of buying a small condominium here in Palm Springs in a building built in 1958. The entire building was once owned by Tony Curtis. The unit I am buying is absolutely original, right down to the Columbia metal cabintery and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, green tub and tile in the bathroom with a steel “VaniLav” cabinet holding the sink [Note fromPam: A "VaniLav" was likely very similar to the "Lavanette" in the photo, above], and all of the original switchplates on the light switches. I have a suggestion to offer for those wanting to refinish metal kitchen and bath cabinetry. Rather than painting it with a latex or enamel wall paint, or spraying it with a standard enamel metal paint, I strongly recommend the following:

• Dismount the cabinets from the walls and take them to a local powder-coating business.
• Most commonly used for auto body work (especially chassis), powder coating produces a very strong, glossy, enamel-like finish far superior to standard spray-on paint.
• The company will do all of the stripping for you in the process, saving loads of time-consuming labor.
• The price is higher than simple spray painting, but the result is a finish that almost exactly reproduces the original 1940s-1950s finish.
• [Pam notes: Talk to the paint company that you will be working with to assess whether your cabinet doors may warp under high heat - perhaps do a test?]
  

I will be watching your site closely for more ideas, and telling my friends about it. Palm Springs is an entire city of mid-century modern architecture and homes, and there is a huge push here to preserve and restore authentic MCM design and decor. We even have a huge annual convention on the subject, with home tours, etc. – Stephan, MCM Enthusiast I followed up with Stephan, and he sent some of the great photos from the real estate listing. It’s, like, 20 degrees where I live. Forget the interior. Let’s get some rays! Alas. Stephan promises to keep us posted after he moves in and his retro renovation progresses in the months ahead. Thanks, Stephan!

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