Making old metal kitchen cabinets look somewhat okay?

Question

Hi there. Helping a friend do a project involving metal cabinets. I wanted to know if anyone has used ESP Easy Surface Prep and what do you think of it? Should I save my money or is it a good product? Thanks

The manufacturer is named Flood and here is the site http://www.flood.com/Flood/Products/Interior/Specialty/ESP+Specialty+Page.htm

Answer 1

flood products are very good. another name for that same type of product is liquid sandpaper. it saves you from having to sand the surface it cleans and dulls it so the paint adhears to it better. very good product. we had a family owned paint store and sold a ton of liquid sandpaper. its basically no mess no dust.

Answer 2

Without going to the site I have suggestions.

I've installed metal cabinets in rental properties, as well as re-hab on them. Are these Kitchen or in house installed cabinets, or file type, storage units?

Cleaning certainly first is the step to take. A fine grit sand paper, just to gently scuff the surface, then if you choose not to remove them, mask the area with plastic drops and tape and use a quality appliance spray paint or a gloss epoxy spray paint. Any apparent Rust should be sanded away and pre treated before painting as well.

The job is best done by removing the cabinets but not impossible otherwise.

Answer 3

changing the hardware is the easiest way to freshen up cabinets that wont risk doing any damage. you can get hardware form anywhere around $0.89 and up at lowes or home depot. you could always do what everyone else is saying use poster board or something of the sort and use a goo gone to clean anything off of them before you leave, but if the landlord is really big on not touching them i wouldn't try it for chance something would go wrong. plus if they come in to the place to do any form of work and see that you glued stuff down, that might not go well.

Answer 4

OK, I went at looked at this EZ Goop or whatever they call it and, man..... I've been repairing and restoring old homes for thirty years and just reading Floods ad for this stuff made me instantly say NO. It's 'miracle goo' and even they say (in corporate spin-talk) "may or may not work". Apply and apply again if it screws the surface....then apply again.
if your working on the cheap...bondo the scratches and dents, lightly sand and, apply spray paint. I suggest 'krylon' (comes in 99 delicious colors). If you want perfection and have the money, have your cabinets sandblasted at an auto body shop....then, y'know...Krylon. Have fun