Painting File Cabinet

A file cabinet is a necessity in most offices. However, it is prone to wearing down over time and can suffer from dings and scratches. Rather than spend a lot of money on replacing it, it makes more sense to find out more about how to paint the file cabinet. It is possible to give the file cabinet an entirely new look by painting it afresh. A new coat of paint, if properly applied, can make even the most worn out looking cabinet look new and fresh. Painting file cabinet does in fact give your old file cabinet a new look and at a very low cost.

1. Remove the drawers and files

Here are some of the things that you need to know in order to paint your file cabinet in the most pleasing manner. Start off by removing all the drawers as well as files from the cabinet. Next, take out all hardware and put the items in a plastic zipper bag to ensure that they are stored safely and securely.

What you need

It also pays to have a few things on hand to help you complete the job properly. These items include:

Plastic zipper bag
Drop cloth
Screwdriver

2. Lay the drop cloth

Take the drop cloth and lay it on the ground. This will ensure that the floors are not ruined by paint and it also keeps debris from getting into your paint. Next, take a hand sander and fit it with 220 grit sandpaper. Use the sandpaper to sand the entire surface of the file cabinet. Sanding helps in scuffing up the surface and it also makes it easy for the paint to adhere.

3. Remove sawdust and dirt

With a rag wipe the sanded surface and be sure that no sawdust or dirt remains on the surface. With a metal spray primer, apply the primer to every part of the exterior of the file cabinet. Next, let the primer dry out completely before applying the first coat of paint.

4. Use a Spray painter

With a spray painter held at a distance of eight inches from the file cabinet surface, apply the first and light coat of paint to all parts of the surface of the file cabinet. Be sure to allow the paint to dry up. At the least, be sure that you give the paint one entire day to dry up.

After the paint has dried up completely, give the entire surface of the file cabinet a second sanding. Be sure to sand very lightly. Once this is done, you can then apply a second coat of paint. Use a spray painter to apply this second coat. After applying the second coat of paint, wait till this new coat has dried up completely. Give two entire days for the paint to dry up completely and then you can think about replacing the filing cabinet in its original position in the office. This forty-eight hour period is necessary as then the paint will have cured perfectly. If you do not allow the paint to cure, there is a risk that the paint can scratch all too easily.