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    Home » Painted Furniture » How To Paint A Metal Locker Using A Paint Sprayer

    How To Paint A Metal Locker Using A Paint Sprayer

    This post may contain affiliate links

    In this tutorial I show you how to paint a metal locker the easy way.

    This is a project that I’ve been putting off for over a year. I don't know why. Yes, I do. I was thinking about how hard it would be to brush paint. Then I came up with a plan, an easy plan.

    The ombre painted metal locker is so pretty and the paint process was much easier than I expected. There was the inside and the outside and a bunch of shelves.....a lot of square footage there.

    In this tutorial I show you how to paint a metal locker the easy way.

    Ombre Painted Metal Locker Project

    I told you the locker was pretty  now. How do you like the ombre paint job? Ombre is the transition of paint from darker to lighter using colors in the same color family. This paint style seems to be sweeping the furniture world so I thought I would give it a try.

    metal locker paint project Petticoat Junktion

    I bought the metal locker at a local thrift/flea market shop. I think I paid $30 for it but maybe a little less. The locker had been painted at least once. The color is what I call yucky brown.

    metal locker project Petticoat Junktion

    The locker was full of shelves. The metal parts were rusty and crusty and there were shelves made of MDF that were not original to the locker.I  cleaned the locker using the shop vac and Simple Green. I didn't remove all the rust and crust. I'm just going to paint over it.

    Can you imagine trying to paint all of those shelves and bottom sides of the shelves and all those corners with a paint brush. I can and it's not something I want to do.

    Homeright Finish Max Pro Petticoat Junktion

    This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    I have this handy dandy paint sprayer from HomeRight. It's the HomeRight Finish Max Pro Fine Finish Sprayer and it can be used for any home paint projects. Using a paint sprayer is the only way to go for projects like this locker.

    Homeright Finish Max Pro project Petticoat Junktion

    The process is easy. Just fill the paint container with paint (may need to thin it with water), hook the hose to the paint gun and base, plug it in and go to town.

    I'm sorry there are not more photos of me painting the locker. The only photo of the process was taken by the JTS. He happened to be around for a bit and snapped a shot.

    It's hard to take photos and use the paint sprayer at the same time. It's too much trouble to set up the camera and tripod. My neighbors already think I'm nuts. They would really get a kick out of the camera on the tripod clicking away taking photos of me in my element.

    I used the Finish Max paint sprayer to apply sealer. This is great because I hate brushing on sealer, always have brush marks. See the project here...Apply Clear Sealer With A Paint Sprayer.

    We used the handy dandy sprayer to paint our louvered closet doors and it made the job so much easier. I made a short video of the hubby spraying the doors. See it below....

    How To Paint Louvered Doors The Easy Way

    This is how the applied the paint with the paint sprayer to get the ombre look......I applied one coat of gray primer (my favorite Glidden Gripper) then one coat of white paint. Next I mixed a little blue paint in with the white paint and sprayed the lower two thirds of the locker.

    At this point the upper third or so of the locker was white paint and the bottom two thirds of the locker was medium blue. Now to apply the final color to the bottom one third of the locker. I mixed more blue paint with the medium blue paint to make a darker blue. Then I sprayed the bottom one third kind of willy nilly.

    I only applied one coat of each color. Each coat took about 10 minutes to spray on…inside and out…so easy! I’m thinking about all the bright colors and fun designs I could make……maybe another locker one of these days. Have to find one first.

    Ombre Painted Metal Locker Petticoat Junktion

    The locker was dark and drab and I wanted it to look light and airy so I gave it a sky/cloud affect. The JTS put casters on the locker right after I brought it home....don't know where those pics are!metal locker paint project Petticoat Junktion using Homeright finish max

    It's fun to do something unique and outside of the box every once in a while. I'm loving the look. What do you guys think. Leave me a note. Don't forget to bookmark or pin this post for later reference. Thanks for being here and have a great day, Kathy

    The fine finish sprayer is no longer available. I use the HomeRight Finish Max for my projects now. You can find it on the Petticoat Junktion Amazon Page here.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marie

      July 12, 2018 at 12:58 pm

      I love the blue sky effect of the locker, Kathy! Love that you put casters on it too. Pinned 🙂

      Reply
    2. Bobby Gittins

      July 12, 2018 at 6:58 am

      Love the shaded blue skies effect!

      Reply
    3. Athena

      July 01, 2015 at 6:28 am

      I’m not sure about the ombré look… When the locker is closed, it looks OK, but when open, it doesn’t have the same quality. It looks a bit unfinished, i’m afraid. But if you love it, who cares?

      Reply
    4. Wendi @ H2OBungalow

      October 08, 2014 at 6:15 am

      Super job with the paint sprayer friend! You're making me want a locker too!

      Reply
    5. Meegan

      October 07, 2014 at 6:15 pm

      Love the ombre look and the color! I can tell the sprayer is just what I need for future projects. Thanks for all the info, Kathy.

      Reply
    6. [email protected] of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

      October 06, 2014 at 10:57 pm

      This would be so much easier than using a brush! I'd love to get my hands on one of those...your locker turned out great!

      Reply
    7. Christy @ Our Southern Home

      October 05, 2014 at 4:56 pm

      Great transformation and I LOVE those pumpkins!!! ~Christy

      Reply
    8. Barb

      October 03, 2014 at 10:33 pm

      What's the difference between using this type of sprayer vs a can of spray paint? Ohhh……maybe one thing could be the amount of colors that would be available? If so….what else??

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        October 04, 2014 at 8:52 am

        Hey Barb, There is a world of difference in using a paint sprayer and a can of spray paint. The paint sprayer sprays a larger paint stream and a more even stream of paint than a can of paint. YOu can adjust the amount of paint coming out of the sprayer also. I much prefer the paint sprayer over a can of spray paint.

    9. Judy

      October 03, 2014 at 1:18 pm

      The locker looks great-really like the way you painted it.The pumpkin on the lamp looks really neat. I also the pumpkin with the stars on it.

      Reply
    10. Kathe

      October 03, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      That's it! I am totally putting the Finish Max Pro on my Christmas list! Nice job!

      Reply
    11. Shanna Gilbert

      October 03, 2014 at 11:59 am

      Such a simple project with fabulous results! Great job my dear!

      Reply
    12. [email protected]

      October 03, 2014 at 8:14 am

      Your lockers look great! This paint sprayer looks like a tool that everyone who enjoys updating vintage treasure could use.

      Reply
    13. Leslie @ House on the Way

      October 03, 2014 at 7:52 am

      Very cool! A paint sprayer would definitely be the way to go with such a detailed piece! Great job!

      Reply
    14. Angie @ Postcards from the Ridge

      October 03, 2014 at 6:31 am

      What a cool project! Sounds like that sprayer made the job a breeze!I've got some louvered closet doors that I'd love to try it on. Have a great weekend!

      Reply
    15. Angie @ Postcards from the Ridge

      October 03, 2014 at 6:29 am

      What a cool project! Sounds like that sprayer made the job a breeze!I've got some louvered closet doors that I'd live to try it on. Have a great weekend!

      Reply
    16. Gloria

      October 03, 2014 at 12:25 am

      I'm not sure about the ombré look... When the locker is closed, it looks OK, but when open, it doesn't have the same quality. It looks a bit unfinished, i'm afraid. But if you love it, who cares?

      Reply
    17. Patty

      October 02, 2014 at 11:00 pm

      I would love to have my longest basement wall lined with metal lockers, painted just like that.

      Reply
    18. Debbie

      October 02, 2014 at 9:33 pm

      Love it!

      Reply
    19. Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio

      October 02, 2014 at 5:00 pm

      Ooh that totally works for me! Your 'willy-nilly' tip cracks me up, Kathy! You make it sound so easy. Must be that awesome Homeright sprayer. Love how your airy locker project turned out.

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        October 02, 2014 at 9:14 pm

        Ha! I think I'm going to work willy-nilly into every post!

    20. Vanessa

      October 02, 2014 at 2:45 pm

      This turned out great and I love that you didn't paint it solid. Love

      Reply
    21. Tami @ Curb Alert!

      October 02, 2014 at 2:35 pm

      Kathy I LOVE the way the lockers turned out, the effect if fabulous!
      ~Tami

      Reply
      • Tami @ Curb Alert!

        October 02, 2014 at 2:35 pm

        spelling check^^^ is, lol!!!

    22. Tina

      October 02, 2014 at 10:53 am

      Love the locker.
      How easy is the sprayer to clean up? I want a sprayer but want one that is fairly easy to care for.

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        October 04, 2014 at 8:55 am

        It's very easy to clean. I use latex paint so I clean it with soap and water.

    23. doreen

      October 02, 2014 at 10:00 am

      What a great storage unit! I have an addiction with metal lockers and other metal cabinetry. I'm in the process of transforming my plastic bins into industrial chic craft storage. I also painted a metal locker, one of my favorite flea market finds. Hope you'll come visit and take a peek. Sure wish I had a home right paint sprayer--would've made spraying a lot easier.

      Doreen
      bit.ly/1nRKohv

      Reply
    24. chris aka monkey

      October 02, 2014 at 9:48 am

      looks cool kathy everyone raves about their homeright paint sprayer wish i has one..also wish i had that locker so i could organize our carport, hope jts is still improving xx

      Reply
    25. Michelle

      October 02, 2014 at 7:24 am

      I can't wait to see the organized workshop! Patiently waiting...

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kathy!

    The creator at Petticoat Junktion and I love decorating my home. My decor is an eclectic mix......

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