Hello, I'm just after a bit of advice on how I can turn an old metal filing cabinet into something that looks cool and vintage by giving it a new paint job? Not sure if this is really the kind of forum for it but I'm after techniques really that I might be able to apply to turn the cabinet from a rusty old box to something that will look nice and retro in my home office. Any pointers would be great. Thanks.
welcome..there are many faux type finishes sold in kits that can do alot
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/291359958690 ..i have used these product and have found that after applying the activator you have time to move the rust effect buy tipping off with a brush before it dries...the big thing about these finishes and other types of affects is that while the product is the same, each person will come up with different looks according to their experience and artistic ability....you can also use an effect by priming with a thick coat of (in your instance) solvent based bonding primer, then flat paint...after it has dried use somewhat course sand paper to scratch the flat finish, what i mean is that one stroke of the sand paper will lightly scratch the flat and when you apply the next coat which is an oil stain, the scratches will become apparent then you topcoat with a water clear finish...i have posted several examples to give you ideas and although these are on wood, basically its the same on metal....to simulate rust just choose a combo of flat color and stain to match rust..the methhod is learned by experience but you can use any combo of flat paint and oil...you see the flat will to some extent absorb the oil stain..good luck