Paint metal tool cabinets

Guided shopping manual

Guide to painting metal tool cabinets

Metal tool cabinets need clean preparation, a stable primer and a durable semi-gloss finish because drawers, handles, corners and front panels see constant handling in daily shop use.

What do you need to paint metal tool cabinets?

Cleaning and degreasing

Mipa silicone remover and Mipa silicone remover spray remove wax, grease and silicone before sanding, priming or coating.

Epoxy primer

Mipa EP 100-20 with Mipa EP 950-25 hardener and Mipa EP Thinner builds an epoxy primer layer for steel, galvanized steel, aluminium, GRP and mineral substrates.

Semi-gloss PU topcoat

Mipa PU 250-50 gives workshop metal, housings and equipment panels a semi-gloss 2K PU finish in selected colour groups.

2K PU prefilled spray

Mipa 2K-PU-Industry-Prefilled Spray is useful for small panels, drawer fronts, handles and detailed sections that need a compact 2K aerosol format.

EP and PU thinners

Mipa EP Thinner supports the epoxy primer stage, while Mipa 2K Thinner Normal V 25 supports viscosity control for the matching PU coating stage.

PUR Plus hardener

Mipa PUR Plus Hardener A60 supports the relevant 2K PU coating stage where the anti-slip or semi-gloss system requires it.

How to paint metal tool cabinets

  1. 1
    Empty and dismantle where useful

    Remove drawers, handles or badges where possible so edges and front faces can be cleaned and coated neatly.

  2. 2
    Clean and de-gloss the surface

    Remove silicone, wax and grease, then key glossy old paint before cleaning once more.

  3. 3
    Prime bare or difficult metal

    Use Mipa EP 100-20 with EP 950-25 hardener and EP Thinner where an epoxy primer layer is needed.

  4. 4
    Apply the finish coat

    Use Mipa PU 250-50 for larger cabinet panels or Mipa 2K-PU-Industry-Prefilled Spray for small fronts, handles and detailed areas.

  5. 5
    Reassemble after cure

    Let coated drawers and contact edges cure before reassembly so sliding parts do not mark the fresh finish.

Which tool cabinet coating method should you choose?

Choose EP 100-20 for the primer

The epoxy primer is suitable for steel, galvanized steel, aluminium, GRP and mineral substrates before a compatible finish.

Choose PU 250-50 for larger panels

The semi-gloss PU topcoat gives cabinet sides, doors and drawer fronts a durable shop finish.

Choose the 2K PU prefilled spray for details

Use the compact 2K aerosol format for handles, edges and smaller metal parts where spray-gun work is less practical.

Technical details

  • Mipa EP 100-20 is listed as a 2K epoxy resin primer with zinc phosphate for steel, galvanized steel, aluminium, GRP and mineral substrates.
  • Mipa EP 100-20 is specified with Mipa EP 950 hardener and Mipa EP Thinner.
  • Mipa PU 250-50 is listed as a semi-gloss 2K PU topcoat in 1 kg, 5 kg and 20 kg options across price groups.
  • Drawer runners, locks and moving contact areas should stay free from paint film so the cabinet remains usable after reassembly.
Practical suggestion

Number drawers and handles before removal, then coat the parts in the same order so the cabinet goes back together without chipped fresh edges.

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