How to Create a Faux Zinc Texture (with Spray Paint)
Want to give something the look of zinc metal without spending money on zinc metal? You can create the look with spray paint and this technique.
How to Create a Faux Zinc Texture (with Spray Paint)
A while ago I was thrifting with a few friends and stumbled across an ugly cabinet at our local 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. 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. Let’s learn How to Create a Faux Zinc Texture!
Materials:
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- Gray Automotive primer
- Rust-oleum metallic hammered metal spray paint (silver)
- Craft paper
- Painter’s Tape
- Rubber gloves
- White chalk
Instructions:
Clean off your furniture piece really well. 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.)
Spray paint your object with automotive primer. (I prefer the automotive primer because it sticks to metal and can withstand a lot of abuse.)
Let the primer 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 your object 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 paint dry thoroughly. Then enjoy your beautiful faux zinc paint job!
Chalkboard Painted Metal Drawers:
For my cabinet, I chose to paint the drawer fronts with chalkboard paint for a nice contrast.
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 drawers with chalkboard paint. (Use three fine coats of paint instead of one or two heavy coats.) Set them aside to dry.
Insert the chalkboard drawers back into the cabinet frame.
Add chalkboard art to your drawer fronts.
The thrifted cabinet has a wonderful texture now and the black and zinc colors work with any color scheme.
The chalkboard drawer fronts allow the flexibility for me to store and label other items inside.
I’m so thrilled with the results! I hope you try to transform your own object, now that you know how to Create a Faux Zinc Texture.
If you use this tutorial, I’d love to hear about it. Better yet, will you send me a picture?
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I’m wondering if I can do this technique to wood furniture. I want to paint my 30 year old Bassett Furniture and love the metallic look. Do you think that’s a bad idea???
I think you should try it! Let me know how it goes.
Thank you!
Does this technique result in a smooth surface or a textured/hammered one? Thanks!
It has a texture, not rough, but probably similar to the hammered spray paint.
I’m gonna give this a go and see if I can get such great results. 🙂
Love this look! Would it work on plastic? I have three terracotta coloured planters I’d like to match up to a real zinc planter. What do you think?
Absolutely! As long as you prime the plastic with a primer made for plastic. Go for it!