Craigslist Flat File Refinishing Project

Information on shipping, storing and repairing your art, plus your reviews on products for art collecting, making, storing, etc..
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sixstringer
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:22 pm

Picked up 2 large 54" wide flat files on Craigslist for $75ea. Minor rust and scratches but the inside of the drawers were perfect.
flatfile1.jpg

The supplies....
supplies.jpg
_________

Step 1.) Sand w/150grit sandpaper

Step 2.) Vacuum debris and wipe down with soap & water
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sixstringer
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:25 pm

Step 3.) Prime cabinets...
primed.jpg

Step 4.) Sand w/220 grit

Step 5.) Spray 1st coat of color - I choose a metallic sparkle charcoal grey color. Your first coat should be light and will look like ass.
1stcoat.jpg
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HappaHaoli
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:27 pm

sixstringer wrote:Your first coat should be light and will look like ass.
Check.

Nice score. That's a great price for files that can handle any size print.
Image x6 ImageImage x2
"I had this dream where I relished the fray, and the screaming filled my head all day."
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sixstringer
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:28 pm

Step 6.) Sand w/220 grit between coats of color. It took about 4 coats until I was happy. Don't forget to sand in between coats!

Step 7.) Tape off drawers. I used clamps so I could lean them on each other without touching the painted parts.
drawers.jpg
Last edited by sixstringer on Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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sixstringer
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:32 pm

Now - you all will probably make fun of my color choice but I'm really diggin the sparkle grey w/orange drawers... I wanted a huge blast of color and I got it! :)
drawers2.jpg
Same process...paint , sand w/220, etc...


Let everything dry for about a week. It says it "drys in 2-4 hours" but in the summer this stays tacky for quite a while.
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sixstringer
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:36 pm

Finished product. The pics are crappy because of the low light so the file looks black but it's actually charcoal grey and looks killer in person!
finished1.jpg
finished2.jpg
finished4.jpg
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sixstringer
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:40 pm

HappaHaoli wrote:
sixstringer wrote:Your first coat should be light and will look like ass.
Check.

Nice score. That's a great price for files that can handle any size print.
Yup! I totally happy with them. I feel like I can buy anything now and don't have to worry about safe storage!
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fnord
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:44 pm

Looks great six.
I really dig the Orange doors as well, nicely done
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mazdog
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:48 pm

awesome man.....this is my basic plan for when i finally find a couple files for a great price!!
Image
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sixstringer
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:52 pm

that's my kids kung fu panda poster...I suppose he can have his own drawer. :P
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HappaHaoli
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:52 pm

sixstringer wrote:it's actually charcoal grey and looks killer in person!
It looks killer even in your pictures. Nice work!
Image x6 ImageImage x2
"I had this dream where I relished the fray, and the screaming filled my head all day."
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mistersmith
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:58 pm

Right on. Bitchin' job.
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OtisMcfluster
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 3:02 pm

Solid work there. Right on.
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sixstringer
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 3:11 pm

Thanks!

For those of you that have the smaller 46"x32" units check out this pic for comparison. I didn't realize how much bigger the 54" units were until I got them next to my smaller file. This thing is a drymounting behemoth!!!
thegiant.jpg
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OtisMcfluster
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Wed Aug 31, 2011 3:15 pm

Also, you still need to change your avatar. I had mine first :wink:
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