Materials: Ikea PS CabinChalkboard paint, silver craft paint in "Gunmetal", Annie Sloan Soft Dark Wax, Mineral Spirits, paint sponge, 2 paint brushe, 220 grit sand paper, rags and "Better Than Cheesecloth" Buffing towels.
Description: Do you have a piece of Ikea furniture that you've kept in storage because it just didn't "fit in" with the style of your home? I'll explain how I took an Ikea PS locker cabinet and gave it a good ol' Ikea hack by painting on an aged steel finish. This was inspired by the Restoration Hardware Vintage Industrial Steel Cabinet.
Sand your piece of furniture with the 220 grit sandpaper till it's no longer shiny, even when you wipe off the dust.
Wipe it down with vinegar. These two steps will prep your furniture for the paint and give your paint something to grab onto.
Lightly dip your brush into the chalkboard paint and dab most of it off onto a paper plate.
"Dry brush" the paint lightly on your surface.
As soon as you finish your first section, wipe off the paint with a dry rag.
The sanded surface will catch most of the chalkboard paint.
Ignore the faux rivets in this picture. I was trying to decide if I liked them.
It looks messy, but it gets better. The good thing about this paint project is that it doesn't have to look perfect.
After you have done this with the entire cabinet, you want to apply the silver craft paint.
Put a couple of tablespoons of the Gunmetal silver craft paint onto a paper plate and add about a half teaspoon of water to thin it out.
Take your paint sponge and dip it into the silver paint and dab most of it off onto your paper plate. This is also a "dry brushing" technique.
Lightly streak this paint onto the surface in one direction. If you get too much on, just wipe it off in one direction.
I let this dry for about 2 hours.
Now it's time for the magic to begin!
Take a scoop of the dark wax and put it on a paper plate. Blend in a small amount of mineral spirits, just enough to thin it out.
Take one of your paint brushes and dip just the tip of the bristles into the wax and dab most of it off onto the paper plate.
Lightly drag the brush in one direction over your surface. This will prevent you from getting too much wax on at one time.
Now, take your clean paint brush and buff in the wax in a circular motion. Don't let your wax dry too long before you get to the buffing step.
Let this dry for 5 minutes.
Take your "Better Than Cheesecloth" Buffing towel (I bought mine at the same store that I bought my Annie Sloan Dark Soft Wax) and start buffing out the wax so the surface has a nice, thin layer.
The dark wax is what really gives the piece a nice patina. It also protects all of your hard work.
I let the first coat of wax dry about 30 minutes before applying the second coat of wax.
For the rivets, you will need upholstery tacks, hot glue, super glue, and 2 pair of pliers.
To see more pictures and picture of each step, then visit this link.
~ Tricia
