You can use a product called liquid stainless steel that, if done well, looks like the real thing. Fill and sand first, using glazing putty. But why make a vintage kitchen look like something else? You have a gem on your hands if they’re in good shape. My republic kitchen was repainted by an autobody shop 15 years ago and still looks brand new (the house was built in 1956). I make concrete countertops, which I think look very good on the old steel cabinets, and are a better way to upgrade without losing the vintage look. A Cuban friend says that combination was common in Cuba.

i have post on how to value your vintage steel kitchen cabinets here: http://retrorenovation.com/2009/04/03/how-much-are-my-metal-kitchen-cabinets-worth/

Republic is a whole different brand than Youngstown. If you go to the main blog – use the search box or go to Categories/Kitchens/Steel kitchen cabinets to see a lot of posts on vintage steel cabinets including Youngstown and Republic

And, yes, I tend to think you can strip them down to the bare metal. But this is not a DIY site, so we can’t give you advice on that….

Good luck.

I am so grateful for this website. I just moved into a 1958 ranch with Republic Steel kitchen cabinets (we also have one of those cool bathroom cabinets with a razor-blade slot–I had NEVER heard of that before and I enjoy wondering how many razor blades are in my wall). Anyway, here are my issues:

1. Please, please help me to love my steel cabinets. I do not understand why so many people like them. I dislike them intensely but we do not have money to paint them properly or replace them. Those little inside edges are hard to clean and, to me, the overall look is just so, I don’t know…cold. ALSO (see issue number 2):

2. They smell bad. I’ve cleaned them, and cleaned behind them, and I even primed and painted them. The only thing I can think of is that I’m smelling rust. (???) It’s not moldy, it’s not like death or rot. I’ve never smelled anything like it. Has anyone else experienced this? What did you do about it?

The cabinets were rusty and nasty when we moved in. The previous owners had painted over them with a horrible yellowish white, not bothering to remove chunks of food, just painting over them.

I know this is a sacrilege on this site, but my steel cabinets are making me unhappy. Any advice?