Faux Zinc Painted Chalkboard File Cabinet

This summer I was thrifting with a few friends and stumbled across an ugly cabinet at the Goodwill. The metal chest had extra wide and deep storage, but the worst colors imaginable! The hot pink and mint green were disguising the true potential of the chest, but like a color-blind dog, I was able to see beyond its garish appearance. In my mind, I pictured a vintage metal cabinet with a faux zinc side and chalkboard drawer fronts.

I scooped it up and brought it home. Then the poor chest sat in our garage for months and months until I had a chance to work a little spray paint magic and turned it into….this thing of beauty:

Yes, that is the same chest of drawers! You could do the same transformation.

Materials:

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Instructions:

Clean off the drawers. Remove any dirt or debris (I actually had to use a little Goo Gone to get rid of some sticky residue. But, lemon essential oil will also work for this task.)

Remove the drawers from the chest. Tape over the drawer glides and slides. Mask off the drawer sides and insides by covering the drawers with tape and craft paper, leaving only the drawer fronts exposed.

Spray paint the chest and drawers with automotive primer. (I prefer the automotive primer because it sticks to metal and can withstand a lot of abuse.) Let it dry.

Spray paint the drawers with chalkboard paint. (Use three fine coats of paint instead of one or two heavy coats.) Set them aside to dry.

Adding a Faux Zinc Texture:

This is the most exciting part of the tutorial. I created this technique by trial and error and I’m excited by how well this method works for creating a faux zinc texture.

Getting a faux zinc texture is really easy. Just have some gloves on and use a crumpled up piece of craft paper. (A loose crumple works best.)

Spray paint the chest with a thick coat of the hammered silver spray paint, (but not so thick that it runs). Let the paint get tacky by waiting a few seconds. Then use the crumpled piece of craft paper to blot into the wet paint.

Work in small 1 foot sections and pounce the paper a few times. (Too much pouncing and you’ll lose the large textured pattern.)

Let the cabinet dry thoroughly.

Insert the chalkboard drawers back into the cabinet frame.

Add chalkboard art to your drawer fronts.

This metal chest of drawers is the perfect size for my large tablets of art paper.

The cabinet has a wonderful texture now.

I have the flexibility to move my art supplies around and just change the chalkboard label.

Did I mention this little chest is the perfect height to rest my palette on while painting.

I’m soooo thrilled with the results!

102 replies
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  1. PeggyAnn
    PeggyAnn says:

    Due to emergency pipe problems our bath project got bigger and bigger. I would love to win the Lowe’s gift card and use it towards a light fixture or faucet. Thanks for a great giveaway!

    Reply
  2. The Girl @ POS
    The Girl @ POS says:

    We are deep in the throes of renovating a hall bathroom, and possibly turning it into a walk-in closet and true master bath. What could we NOT use this gift card for?? Thanks for the tips on the faux zinc texture, too! I am a serial spray painter, so I will definitely give it a try.

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth
    Elizabeth says:

    I would use the gift card to patch the drywall in the basement my husband made to find the leak. Winning the gift card he shouldn’t have any excuse getting it done! Loved your file cabinet.

    Reply
  4. TracieMcOB
    TracieMcOB says:

    ooooo – I love giveaways – I would use the gift card to finish up some “half” projects I have going – most likely I would put it towards a new floor in my boys’ bath. They have very patiently been waiting for a long-overdue re-do 🙂 Thanks so much PHG!

    Reply
  5. Koliti
    Koliti says:

    Awesome results with your faux zinc! And fun chalk art drawers!

    I am working on reconfiguring the closet in my craft room into my “tool and paint” supply closet
    (I don’t have a garage). Would love shelves, peg board, hooks, a fun paint color, …..

    Reply
  6. Destiny
    Destiny says:

    I love this chest of drawers! AMAZING!!!

    We’ve just started on our bedroom. The ceiling has had its first coat of paint so there’s still plenty to do.

    Reply
  7. Laura Bennett
    Laura Bennett says:

    Wow! The drawers turned out beautifully!
    I am working on revamping our kids playroom/den. I’d like to put up some shelving to create more storage, paint, and change the fireplace from a dangerous eyesore into something that works better for the room. Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Cherie
    Cherie says:

    Gorgeous Project!
    What project do I have?? acid Staining my kitchen floor, painting the living and kitchen. Re finishing my kitchen table… the list goes on and on. 🙂

    Reply
  9. seansmom
    seansmom says:

    We’re working on “phase two” of our library and that gift card would be great for getting some of the oak faced plywood that we need for the upper bookcases.
    LOVE your cabinet!!!

    Reply
  10. Laura Jacobson
    Laura Jacobson says:

    Oh Im just amazed by your cabinet! Beautiful!
    I would love to put in a new front door to my home! I think that would be my project. We get such huge drafts! Would love to save on heating costs this winter!

    Reply
  11. becky
    becky says:

    I have 4 or 5 upcycling projects a Lowe’s gift card could really help with getting started AND finished! But the piece I can’t wait to start is an old coffee table that I picked up from a yard sale site on facebook a few weeks ago. I can’t wait to give it a make-over with all the pinspriation I have and get it in my living room!!!

    Reply
  12. Stephanie
    Stephanie says:

    I have a great, old dresser and mirror that i got from a friend. it has SO much potential, but right now, it’s sitting in our basement with the back off and drawers out. the top has been sanded, but that’s as far as i’ve gotten. i don’t even know exactly what i want my end result to be, but i know all the drawers pulls need to be replaced. That Lowes gift card would help with that a lot!

    Reply

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