16699. Painting Metal Kitchen Cabinets [New Jersey]

Letter 16699

Painting Metal Kitchen Cabinets [New Jersey]

My metal kitchen cabinets are from the 1950s or earlier. I would like to paint them since I cannot afford to replace them. They are in good shape but they are ugly. Someone told me there is a no prep metal paint that requires no preparation of the surface - just paint it on. If this does not exist is there an adhesive type primer I can use before I paint and not have to strip or sand the cabinets?

Susan L [name deleted for privacy]
- Gloucester City, NJ, USA

June 18, 2006

I also have metal kitchen cabinets that I would like to paint. They are Geneva cabinets and in very good condition, but awful color. Any ideas on how to best do this and the type of paint to use will be appreciated.

David D [name deleted for privacy]
- Bowling Green, KY

August 26, 2006

I have Geneva cabinets that are from the 1950's. They are white and in great shape except for the ugly paint. We are trying to redo the kitchen and keep it as retro as possible. What can I use?

Nancy J [name deleted for privacy]
- Nebraska City, NE, USA

June 25, 2007

We have Youngstown 1950's to 1960's vintage cabinets. They have been repainted with an enamel paint and the paint has adhered well but need refreshed again (white). What brands of primer/paint would you suggest ? Do I need to use both, or is there a self-adhering paint that will work ? Also, is it true that I should be looking for an auto body paint, or would an enamel paint be sufficient ?

Cheri Head
Consumer - Geneva, NE USA

September 25, 2007

We have Geneva Metal Cabinets in our kitchen and we had a company come and spray paint the inside and outside. They did a great job. I believe they used a special sprayer and paint for working on metal. They look great and were finished in a few hours. Well worth the money since we can't afford to gut the kitchen. I would look under appliance and metal painters in the phone book. Our guy was local to our area.

Carmelina Mattera
- St. Louis, MO, USA

October 19, 2007

When you don't really care how much it cost you can do as I did with the 15 pc Geneva Kitchen I salvaged. Disassembled all chrome and plastic, Soda blast to bare metal($3000) and powder coat ($3200),then re assemble.

Robert Srour
- Rockville, MD, USA

December 5, 2007

I also have a kitchen that featured metal cabinets made by Geneva. They were dirty and ugly. After cleaning them up, I used a roll-on, epoxy appliance paint manufactured by Rustoleum. When you roll the paint on, the surface will be covered with tiny bubbles. This freaked me out at first. As the bubbles began to pop (immediately after application) they formed a nice, orange peel texture. It took two coats of white appliance paint to cover. I love the result.

My cabinets have white, plastic inserts that fit behind the chrome handles. I painted these with white spray paint intended for plastic to clean them up a bit. They also turned out great.

Susan Eastin
- De Smet, SD

February 14, 2008

Sirs:
I have the ugly green cabinets Geneva Metal. I have lived in the house for 50 years and cannot afford to replace a new kitchen. How can I have these painted.

Shirley Chamberlain
none - Grand Rapids, MI

February 25, 2008

I have Geneva Metal cabinets in great condition and I can not justify replacing them. I have painted them with regular acrylic paints - use a sponge, not a brush - and then polyurethaned them. You can get a low odor, flat to gloss finish with the polyurethane. My parents and my aunt have both painted their cabinets with different methods, but have not had my success with durability. My aunt had her's sanded down to the metal, primed and painted with car paint. These cabinets started to yellow and degrade within a couple of years. My parents sanded and sprayed their cabinets with an initial great finish, but, alas, they too, started to yellow and the paint is wearing off as we speak (or, rather, read). Painting with the acrylics and polyurethaning has had the most lasting effects. Painting with a sponge is scary, but the air bubbles "dried out" and the finish is a matte finish that is very smooth. The polyurethane just makes the cabinets very cleanable. From the voice of twenty years of experience...
Lori

Lori Hart
- Franklin, PA

March 22, 2008

Need handles and inserts for Geneva metal cabinets [circa 1953]

I have white metal Geneva cabinets with plastic inserts that chrome handles fit into. I want to know if there is a source for parts for these cabinets.

Michael Cooney
Homeowner - St Louis , MO, USA

March 30, 2008

We have beautifully redone white Geneva cabinets that we love, but we are in need of a few new plastic handle inserts and also are wondering how one would go about repairing a dent?

Thanks!
Terry Ross

Terry Ross
- St. Louis, MO

June 2, 2008

Terry R-

I was wondering where you had your cabinets repainted. I have a great set, as we bought a house previous GENEVA salesman. Sorry, no extra parts, but I do DESPERATELY need to know where to get my cabinets painted. Thanks!

Luby Kelley
- Crestwood, Mo

June 2, 2008

Hi, Luby. Any autobody shop will have the right equipment and the competent people to spray the cabinets. Not all autobody shops want to do that kind of work but some do.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, NJ

June 4, 2008

I have also refinished and am looking for 4 plastic handle backs. I think these cabinets are great, but has anyone out there replaced the counter tops. I want to replace them. How do we disconnect the original ones and attach the new?

Yvonne Frydenlund
- DeForest, WI, USA

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