Stainless Steel Look Furniture ~ How To

Here it is. Remember the "stainless steel look" desk I did some time ago? I've finally found the time to put together a "how to". To those of you who asked me to do this tutorial a long time ago...sorry it took so long, but better later than never... right? Here was the desk

So here is the deal-e-yo. You need to go to Lowe's and pick up some Aluminum Flashing. It's in the roofing aisle. It looks like this.

You're also going to need some sheet metal type scissors. These are the ones I use. Regular scissors won't do it, the metal is thin but not that thin!

Then you're going to need some faux nailhead trim. This comes in a roll and saves a ton of time. It looks like this (below). I buy mine online from Beacon Fabric . They sell it in 10 yard rolls and 50 yard rolls. It comes with a package of actual nailheads that you attach it with.

You'll also need a hammer, some pliers that will cut wire, and a nail.. You'll need the nail to make a hole in the faux nailhead trim when you cut your pieces to the length you need.

And last but not least you'll need a tube of Silver Leaf Rub n' buff, to cover the edges that you can't cover with flashing, and a black magic marker.

OK, so I'll start with the drawers first.

Roll out the Aluminum Flashing on the floor or table or wherever you have enough room to do so.

Then place the drawer face down on the flashing.

Use a black magic marker to draw a line around the drawer. Then use your metal scissors to cut on the inside of the black line.

This stuff cuts really easy as long as you have the right kind of cutters. It won't take forever, it's not hard to do, you won't cut your hand off (I hope). Just snip, snip, snip.

Next apply the Rub n' Buff around the edge of the drawer front. You can use your finger. Just use a dab. It dries pretty much right away.

Now you can attach the flashing. Cut your faux nailhead trim to the length of the side of the drawer. Use the plier cutters.

The faux nailhead trim has holes every few inches that you put the actual nailheads though. If there isn't a hole at the end of the piece you cut, use the nail to create one. (Just center the nail in the middle of the faux nailhead and hit it with your hammer).

Start in the corner and work your way down the edge. Use your hammer to sink the nailheads into the holes provided in the trim. You will only need a couple of nailheads for each edge, so it doesn't take long. I don't use any type of adhesive under the flashing. I only use the nailhead trim to attach it. My reason for this is if any part gets damaged, dinged, scratched, whatever, I can take it off and put on a new piece flashing. After you've attached your first piece of nailhead trim make sure to keep the flashing flat. I keep rubbing my hand over it like I'm petting it, but push down so that my hand kind of pulls it tight. I do that as I go from edge to edge. If you don't do that, you may end up with air under your flashing and you'll need to take it off and redo it. Not fun.

You do the top and sides the same way.

One thing that will make it easier when you are cutting the flashing for the top and sides is if you use a right angle ruler. I take my measurement then make dots on the flashing with my marker and connect them into a line with my ruler. Then cut inside the line.