Transform a Budget-Friendly Filing Cabinet with a DIY Spray Paint Makeover under $10.00
Transform a thrifted filing cabinet into modern office decor with this budget-friendly tutorial. Here's a step-by-step guide to prepping, painting, and assembling your very own colourful striped filing cabinet.
Preparing the Filing Cabinet
- Clean the Cabinet: Wipe down the filing cabinet and any removable parts with a damp cloth, soap, water, or a product like Goo Gone to remove dust and debris[1][5].
- Remove Hardware: Take out the drawers and set them aside. Remove any hardware that you don't want to paint, such as knobs or handles[5].
- Sand the Surface: Lightly sand the cabinet and drawer fronts using a sanding block or sandpaper for a smooth surface[3][5].
Painting the Cabinet and Striped Drawer Fronts
- Prime the Cabinet: Apply a metal-specific primer to ensure the paint adheres well. Let it dry according to the product's instructions[5].
- Paint the Cabinet Base: Use white spray paint/primer or any other base colour of your choice. Apply thin coats, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next one[1].
- Prepare Striped Drawer Fronts: Use painter's tape to create stripes on the drawer fronts. Measure carefully to ensure the stripes are even and symmetrical[1].
- Paint the Striped Drawers: Spray paint the drawers with your chosen colours. Start with one stripe at a time, letting each stripe dry completely before moving on to the next[1].
- Remove Tape and Paper: Once the paint is dry, remove the tape and any paper used to protect parts of the cabinet[1].
Adding Optional Casters (Optional)
- Measure and Cut Support Wood: Measure the inside of the cabinet base to fit a piece of wood (e.g., 3x3 inches). Cut the wood to size to add support for the casters[1].
- Attach Support Wood: Drill into the sides of the base and attach the wood pieces using screws. Ensure they are securely fastened along the length and at each end[1].
- Attach Casters: Use wood screws to attach the casters to the support wood[1].
- Final Touches: Once everything is dry and assembled, add any hardware you removed earlier, such as knobs or handles. If desired, apply a clear coat of varnish to protect the paint[5].
This process will give your metal filing cabinet a fresh, stylish look with striped drawer fronts and the added convenience of casters. For more DIY painting projects, consider blow painting, bubble wrap painting, flower pot painting, painting a basket, painting fake flowers, painting nesting dolls, spray painting cookie tins, and spray painted silverware[6].
[1] The Art of Manliness, (2021), How to Spray Paint a Filing Cabinet
[2] Home Depot, (2021), How to Paint a Filing Cabinet
[3] Family Handyman, (2021), How to Sand Metal
[4] The Spruce Crafts, (2021), How to Paint Metal Furniture
[5] HGTV, (2021), How to Spray Paint a Filing Cabinet
[6] The Art of Manliness, (2021), 10 Easy DIY Painting Projects for Beginners
Incorporate a touch of home-and-garden charm into your lifestyle by transforming a repurposed filing cabinet into a vibrant, striped home office accessory. To complement your revitalized office decor, explore a variety of creative DIY painting projects for intriguing finds around the house, such as blow painting, bubble wrap painting, flower pot painting, painting a basket, painting fake flowers, painting nesting dolls, spray painting cookie tins, and spray painted silverware.
