Step 1: Prepare the Cabinets

Sanding blocks are used to remove the protective clear coat and any oil and cooking residue on the cabinetry.

Tip: Foam sanding blocks, which can form to various shapes, are easier to grip than sandpaper for this step.

Wipe the cabinets with a tack cloth to remove sanding dust

Step 2: Tape the Cabinets

The cabinets are taped where they meet the wall and along the back side of the doors to prevent paint from possibly bleeding through to the inside.

Step 3: Prepare the Metallic Paint

Black gesso is mixed with Neutral Gray acrylic paint; the combination will provide a smooth, thick finish for the metallic paint.

Step 4: Paint the Cabinets

The stationary frame of the cabinets is painted first. Painting the frame first lets you move the doors to paint the corners, then paint the doors and leave them open to dry. The hinges are also painted, adding to the industrial look (Image 1) (Image 2).

When the finish is dry, Golden Acrylics Iridescent Silver paint is brushed over the gesso finish. To help the brushstrokes disappear, make sure the last stroke is one long, straight stroke.

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    Image 1

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    Image 2

Step 5: Apply the Art Paper

When the paint is dry, art paper is cut to the size of the cabinet panels and taped in place. Next, the bristle tips of a large stippling brush are dipped in Benjamin Moore paint (2112-30, Stone Brown); then excess paint is blotted off on paper towels and pounced over the dotted paper.