How to Repair a Medicine Chest Shelf Quickly

Fig.1 Sanding the shelf

By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
Aluminum Oxide sandpaper (tan paper)
Chip brush 
Kilz® white primer
Masking tape
Medicine chest - rusty

Mr. Pippin noticed my internet ad and asked us to visit San Diego, California. He paid for our little trip to this beautiful resort area. George lived in Chula Vista near the Mexican boarder. He had a huge laundry list that needed immediate attention. This job is one of the items of his list. 

This post shows the nine steps to repair a rusty medicine chest shelf. 

Step 1: Fig.1 shows the medicine cabinet had a rusted area on the bottom shelf and that the damage was caused by hair products. The solution is to use wood sandpaper to remove the rusted metal and paint buildup. Step 2: Fig.2 shows what is left after sanding is rusted metal and aluminum oxide sand. This sanding job is almost finished, with only a little rust showing.

Fig.2 Paint and rust

Step 3: Fig.3 shows all the rust has been sanded off the shelf and now it's ready to be painted.

Fig.3 Clean metal

Step 4: Metal spray primer or metal spray paint should have been used to fix this shelf. Since George wanted the shelf fixed immediately, he chose to use Kilz® paint primer. Fig.4 shows a chip brush in a Kilz® paint primer paint can.

Fig.4 Chip brush with primer paint

Step 5: Apply masking tape around the the clean metal area.
Step 6: Fig.5 shows that the first coat of white primer is painted on the shelf.

Fig.5 First coat being applied

Step 7: Fig.6 shows the first coat drying.

Fig.6 Drying time

Step 8: Fig.7 shows the second coat is being applied.

Fig.7 Second coat

Step 9: Fig.8 shows the shelf is finished, and the masking tape needs to be removed from the shelf. Now that one job that has been crossed off his list.

Fig.8 Final coat applied

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