Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Before and After: Stainless Steel Paint


Stainless steel paint has gotten some mixed reviews in blogland. Nathan loved it, Lauren hated it, and I've been left quite curious. We've been working on a few little fixes to hold the kitchen over for a real makeover, and one of the items that really needed attention was the rust-colored and grime-covered hood over the stovetop.


After the cabinets got a fresh coat of paint, I just couldn't ignore it anymore. This picture doesn't even do justice to the grime (Wes had to use his finishing sander to get it off -- seriously, how does that much grime get on top??) but you can imagine that it stood out like a sore thumb from our white, almond and black appliances. Or maybe they all just stand out since they are all different colors? Anyway. I thought that surely some paint couldn't make it worse.


And I think I was right! Does it look like actual stainless steel? Perhaps not. But does it look 100 times better? Definitely yes. I don't think I'll use it on the refrigerator, but the jury's still out on the white dishwasher. Have you tried it?

37 comments:

Gail said...

Wow. So cool. I've never even heard of stainless steel paint! Awesome!! Let me know if you decide to do your dishwasher...that sounds epic.

La Maison Fou said...

I have done panels but with spray paint stainless steel color. Looks flawless and also like the higher $$ finish.
L.

Nate @ Laurelstreetblog.com said...

I almost had a heart attack in the second sentence. I was thinking ... oh no! What if this turns out terribly?!?

But I like the way your hood turned out - it looks pretty sharp from down here;-) No, it's not going to fool a mechanical engineer - but the paint raised no eyebrow from our most recent house appraiser.

Happy Mardi Gras, Jenn & Wes!

Unknown said...

Wow! I actually think it looks amazing. Never heard of that stuff before makes me wanna paint something! Good job!

Anonymous said...

Wow! That looks awesome!

Unknown said...

Wow - that looks pretty spiffy! It looks pretty close to the real thing. Either way, it's definitely better! :)

bluehydrangea said...

It looks great!! If you hadn't said anything I would have thought it was stainless steel!!

Laurie from Laurie Jones Home said...

It looks great! You're right big difference! Can't wait to see the dishwasher if you decide to do it!

Emily said...

It looks great - better than I would have expected! I'd be interested to know how it wears.

LindsB said...

have never tried this stuff,but the hood does look 100 times better- great job!

personalityispreferred said...

Hi,
I used a stainless steel contact paper, that I got at Home Depot on my dishwasher. Worked great!!
debi
http://www.personalityispreferred.blogspot.com

micah said...

Say wha?! I've never heard of SS paint... That is awesome!

Anonymous said...

Looks great! If you have an older dishwasher, you can purchase (usually from the manufacturer)a stainless steel piece that will insert over the current one for not very much money! Melissa

Heather said...

Wow!! Looks amazing! I've wondered how that stuff turns out, too!

Lovely Little Nest said...

You definitely can't tell it's not real stainless steel! Great job :)

Our Little Beehive said...

Looks awesome! I tried the same with huge success a few years ago. I took the stove hood off wall, etc. and used spray "stainless" paint. If you do the fridge maybe you'd want to try taking the door off to get in all the cracks (and taping off the non-paint stuff).

Lisa @ lists in my pocket said...

I've never tried it, but your "after" looks great! So much better :)

Latoya said...

You have officially brightened up my world! I've heard the stainless steel paper, but never paint. I'm so tempted to try it!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I didn't even know there was such a paint-it looks fabulous...so much better. Is it in the paint dept?

Sarah

Unknown said...

I think it looks great!!

Erin Deegan said...

great job! now i want to paint something ss.

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

I'm planning on painting our kitchen cupboards this summer and I have been eyeing our ugly venthood and wondering what to do with it. Thanks for the great idea.

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Amazing. Love what paint can do!

Kelly@TearingUpHouses said...

How about just replacing the panel in your dishwasher with actual stainless steel? Super easy and inexpensive.

The hood is much improved! We're battling with our frightening kitchen right now since it's the last room in our house that we're renovating. All I'll say is that they used patio tiles for countertop. I know. The horror.

Kelly

Catherine said...

Oh my, wow, much better! Looks really great! And compliments the cabinets so nicely. Trina

Danielle and Clint said...

Soooo...good!!!

paula said...

It does look much better. Love the gray cabinets too.

Jennifer said...

thanks everyone! great suggestions for the dishwasher. I think the reason this turned out so nicely is that is has a smooth texture. If I painted the white fridge (which has a different texture) it would look less "real" more like I had painted the fridge.

I bought the paint in the paint dept. at Home Depot -- near the spray paint. There were a couple of options (spray included).

megan @ a life's design said...

It looks so good! I haven't tried it, but definitely will.

Keeley said...

Looks good! I may try it. I wonder how it will hold up to heat and moisture?

Anonymous said...

Wowzah...love it :) I have used it before in a spray can but never a roller...so thanks for posting this...it has me wanting to roll a wall in stainless steel :) Genius you guys!
XO - Katie

Anonymous said...

That looks awesome! And I'm with ya on the mismatched appliances...we bought a white fridge when we got our house and replaced the dishwasher with a new white one...but the stove is still ecru. Add in our stainless steel microwave and it's a complete mismatch in there!

Chic Coles said...

I have never tried it, but it looks really cool...will have to try it out!

Unknown said...

OOH thanks for letting me know this stuff excists - this could be a temp fix for my ugly dishwasher? thanks!

Mary Shane said...
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Mary Shane said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary Shane said...

I thought that's really artistic! That would be perfect for home decors. I would like to have these for my collection. How do I contact you? I will be waiting for your response. Thank you!
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