Karmi tests a new way to strip and then paint metal kitchen cabinets, Palm Springs Stephan approves
Mid Mod Pam on Oct 03 2008 at 8:00 am | Filed under: steel kitchen cabinets
The fearless Karmi conducted an experiment in painting steel kitchen cabinets this summer - which seems to have paid off in some valuable new ideas for do-it-yourselfers who want to save some serious money on the paint stripping process in particular.
I point you to her flickr photostream, where you can get step-by-step instructions, but in a nutshell, here’s what she did:
- Used spray-on oven cleaner to get the paint loose - so much so that it scrapes right off
- Using a sort of primer called Ospho IMMEDIATELY
- Using a foam roller to apply two coats of Sherwin-Williams industrial indoor/outdoor OIL enamal, high gloss finish
Now. I checked this method out with my authority, Palm Springs Stephan. And Karmi — kudo’s babe — you impressed him with that oven cleaner trick. PSS was less sanguine, though, about the Ospho, as he was unfamiliar with it, and concerned about its potential longterm effects on the metal.
Here is what Stephan had to say: —>
Very, very interesting. Oven cleaner as a paint stripper … who knew?!?! I must try that.While I do really like the stripping process that she used (though I definitely recommend removing anything removeable before beginning), I’m not so sure about the painting process. She doesn’t get into that much, but I do hope she used some kind of metal primer before applying that gorgeous pink paint. If she did not, the paint will peel over time. And I have to wonder how mirror-smooth the surface would be if the paint were applied using rollers or brushes. The only way I know of to get a really smooth finish is by fine spray in multiple coats, preferrably with a professional grade compressed air-driven power sprayer, not an aerosol paint can. And the drips she complains about are caused by applying too much paint at one time.I’m not sure about that Ospho stuff. I’ve never seen it used, but a look at their website suggests it will work underneath regular paint, without causing the paint placed over it to peel or discolor.On the whole, it looks like a pretty good process. IF (and it is a big “IF”) someone has the space and time and energy and patience to devote to such a DIY project, I’d say give it a try. But obviously it requires a lot of space, makes a huge mess, and takes a lot of time and energy and patience. You’d need an entire backyard to do a full-sized kitchen’s worth of cabinets. I live in an upstairs condo … so no space for such an endeavour. The cleanup and potential chemical damage to your yard would be significant. Even the chemical damage to yourself should be considered (I would add a good respirator mask and eye protection to her supply list).Thumbs down on using silver paint as a substitute for re-chroming.Her stripping method is excellent, but I’m just not convinced that the painting process is adequate. Perhaps those on a tight budget can use the stripping process, leving out the Ospho step, to save some money before hauling their cabinets to a professional metal painter (whether auto or spray painter or powder coater or whatever)?
For handy reference, here are all of our posts about how to paint steel / metal kitchen cabinets. Remember Rick Wrench?!:
Just a few things… First off, I was soo excited to see this post up! Yayyy! Did anyone notice the fashionable latex gloves?? Let me also add that all of this was sooo experimental, and — as I say many times over and over on flick-r — always try experiments on the BACKS of your cabinets! I don’t think I will strip my base cabinets at all. It was unavoidable on the uppers. (I do happen to have a friend who could spray them in the booth, but I wanted to take on this challenge for myself). Let me just say that I was a signpainter for over a decade, so I am not a complete novice. This, coupled with the fact that I have an acre, a billion tarps, and regularly scheduled manic episodes makes all of this possible in the first place! I have been sanding with #320 grit sandpaper between coats of paint, and I think you will all be surprised with my results, but I have a ways to go before I have finished “after” pics to share. So, dear Readers, stay tuned for my painted cabinet results!!! And PSS, I agree on the chrome spray for the pulls — I haven’t found anything suitable so far. Keep in mind this was all experimental on an extra, un-usable cabinet! Also… Ospho is NOT primer, it is a treatment for the metal to treat and prevent rusting and is available at Sherwin Williams. If you can spot the before and after pics, you will be able to see the great effects of this magical (and, yes, very toxic, hence gloves) chemical. Finally, foam rollers are magical things. Trust me, you have to have a pretty smooth surface before you start lettering on something! I will let you all know when I have more to share! Kisses!!!!
What I would give, Karmi, for a large yard or garage to do this kind of work in! An upstairs condo with only a small walkway balcony and cranky neighbors makes outdoor projects all but impossible … as does heat that daily far exceeds 100 degrees from May 1 to mid October (it was 103 here yesterday). Nonetheless, I do plan to try your Easy-Off trick on my much-painted Holly in-the-wall heater cover.
The Ospho still worries me. I realize that it is a rust treatment, but the active ingredients is phosphoric acid. Dangerous stuff, that. And if it is not neutralized and/or exceptionally well flushed off of the metal, I am concerned that it might have a residual corrosive effect on both the metal and any primer or paint applied over it. Inexperienced or impatient users might be tempted to shortcut the process of removing the Ospho, which is why I raised caution in the first place. If it were me, I’d use a wire brush, steel wool, and lots of elbow grease to remove rust, not chemicals. But an experienced sign painter like yourself knows how to use it properly, so no problems.
Thanks Stephan! I hope the oven cleaner works wonders for you and wins your heart! And if you want to come use my backyard and tarps, feel free — but get here before the snow flies! As for the Ospho — I am going to pass all of this on to my friend Cory, who turned me on to Ospho in the first place. Foam rollers I used as a signpainter, Ospho I did not.
Cory does high-end body work and knows a lot more than I do about repainting metals than I do. I’ll see what he says. And I really really will have painted cabinets pictures someday … if I can stop switching pinks!