How to Restore Vintage Metal Cabinets

Vintage metal cabinets can be really beautiful after they have been restored. You will find that it is important that you know the proper steps to take to make sure that you are able to restore them in a way that is going to keep them looking beautiful while still maintaining their vintage flair. There are a few things that you can do to make sure that your vintage metal cabinets are in great shape while still looking vintage.

Step 1 – Remove

The first thing that you are going to have to do is remove your metal cabinets from their place. Get a step ladder and remove the hinges with a screwdriver. You should have assistance when you do this so that the doors will not fall and you will not lose your balance.

Step 2 – Clean

You want your cabinets to be as clean as possible. Usually a cleaning solution of a gallon of hot water mixed with 2 tablespoons of degreaser will do the trick. Get a rough sponge and scrub at the cabinets until they are completely clean. Make sure you rinse thoroughly.

Step 3 – Remove Paint

If there is paint on your cabinets, then you will need to remove it with paint remover. Completely cover the cabinets in the remover and make sure to get into any holes or dents with a small paintbrush. Give the remover time to set before removing the loosened paint. Use a putty knife to do this. Rinse with a strong blast of water to get the rest of the paint off.

Step 4 – Prime

You are now ready to prime your metal cabinets. Use a metal primer that is oil based. Start at the top and paint it from side to side. Work slowly. Once you have done this, you can paint as needed or move on to the hinges.

Step 5 – Hinges

You are going to need to replace the hinges for your newly restored metal cabinet doors. In order to do this, you will need to take the old hinges off of the cabinets. You will then need to get a combination square and use it to position your new hinges. Make sure that they are about 2 inches from both the bottom and the top edges.

Step 6 – Attach

You are now ready to get your new hinges attached using screws. Once you have the hinges attached, you are now ready to get your restored metal cabinets put back onto their frames. It is usually a good idea to open and close the cabinets a few times and make sure that they can open and close next to each other without any problems. You may need to adjust your hinges if there is too much of an overlap or not enough of one. Once you have finished testing out your cabinets and hinges, you are ready to put everything back together.