Old/retro/groovy filing cabinets

sarahs999

Hello all,

I'm on a seemingly fruitless search for an old-style filing cabinet to use in my home office. I'd like one that is foolscap (dfor hanging A4 files), that looks a bit more fun and retro than your normal office cabinet. Seems very hard to find! I think I may have found a gap in teh market...

I'd also like a cool colour, but it seems this is asking way too much, so I was thinking about doing it myself. Would spray paint be the best idea, after sanding and priming? Am worried about streaky results. Also, I thought about getting it coated/polished but not sure how to do this.

I LOVE these on ebay bu tthey're way too expensive:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180333899042&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:PIC&ih=008

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1950s-Original-Metal-filing-cabinet-stripped-polished_W0QQitemZ370166120693QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Antiques_AntiqueFurniture_SM?hash=item370166120693&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

Thanks!

maryjane01

Have you got a greenworks near you?

http://www.green-works.co.uk/

Most of their stuff is about £25 - £35 pounds. I have seen old style filing cabinets in there but there stock changes all the time, so if you don't see what you want the first time, it is worth going back again.

In terms of colour, if you don't find a colour you like maybe you could get somebody that spraypaints cars or soemthing like that to do it?

sooz

Have a look in secondhand furniture, house clearance & secondhand office furniture shops. I've bought 2 drawer filing cabinets like that for about £10. Then either use paint stipper, or start sanding, if you want it in bare metal. If you want to paint it, sand lightly to key the surface, then either use metal paint. To spray you need lots of room - a garage would be ideal, as you don't really want to do this completely outside- & do lots of thin coats. Or use a tin of metal paint & a good paintbrush. If you are worried about your painting skills & the finish, try a hammered effect paint.

sarahs999

Thanks, greenworks looks really interesting. Not terribly close to me but we could drive there.

Sooz, what's a hammered paint effect?

sooz

Just what it sounds like , the paint finish looks like you've hit the metal all over with a hammer (gentle taps, not great dents!)

http://www.icipaints.co.uk/products/info/hammerite_metal_paint_hammered_finish.jsp