Why don't you just paint them with a brush?

There's probably a way to apply wallpaper to metal, but I can imagine issues with getting the paper on the fronts of the drawers, what with the handles and the edges.

Brush prime them with Zinzzer Bullseye 123 (recommended for metal). If you have room to paper, you should have room to brush prime. It doesn't have to look pretty :).
The paper should adhere to the primer.

That's why Contact Paper was invented :)

I agree about the contCt paper. Years ago my dad contact papered an ancient fridge body in solid grey with a gingham grey and white door and it was gorgeous! We kept it the garage for extra storage, it lasted through years of heavy (ab)use. Thanks for reminding me about it.

Just today I saw a picture on some blog where she had decoupaged vintage wallpaper on the ends of a crib. Looked great! You could decoupage file cabinets.

tina

Here's a tutorial you might like. Also, google images for wallpaper file cabinet Hope this helps.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wallpaper file cabinet

I would paint it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in a color to go with the wallpaper. Then wallpaper the fronts of the drawers. I use ASCP all of the time in my little biz and I have great success. disclaimer- no connection. just use it.

Golly!
Thanks, all.
Many things to consider.
It may be several weeks before I begin, but will let you know.

Any other brilliant tips?

Well since you mentioned wallpaper, may I suggest a product called Paper Illusion? It's sold by Berlin Wallpaper and unlike regular wallpaper which is applied in strips/sheets, this is torn into random pieces and applied. It gives a faux stone or marble finish which might look really nice on a file cabinet. If you google images of it, you'll see people have used it to cover ugly countertops as well (with waterproof sealer). When done well, it looks great. I have actually used it on my living room walls (and I swore I'd never use wallpaper again!) but it's great for covering damaged surfaces. I have gotten many compliments on it. It's also supposed to be easy to remove--just wet & peel.

I'd love to see a picture, because it's just a file cabinet. Why bother?

Look into Hard Coat Mod Podge
to adhere and seal the wall paper.
It makes a good hard finish.

Good question, NewDawn - why bother, indeed?

They are 42" wide, black, and the bases for a new workroom desk for me. Because of their size and placement in the room, they pretty much obliterate the clean, light background I want.

They're also fairly old, and good quality, so they weigh a ton even empty (which they aren't). Now that we're in the city, I have no place to spray paint a big thing, even if I could schlep them outside.

And I have this very pale wide striped wallpaper lying about.

So I thought I'd give it a go. The desktop is made from slab doors, which are waiting to be stained until the humidity here drops below about 120%...but when I get the project off the ground, I'll post photos.

Thank you!

I think the mod podge is the way to go. It's very easy to apply and you can still adjust the paper while laying it on top, unlike contact paper.

Or, if you don't want to go that route, snip off a small piece of the wallpaper & place it on the cabinet to see how well it sticks.

I wonder if my dh woul mind me doing that to his file cabinets? hmmm.

I am apparently the only person in America who has never actually used Mod Podge. Since the wallpaper is prepasted, should I use the MP as a base coat for tooth, then wet the paper and use its adhesive, and then follow with more MP????

Or...???

You have received many great ideas for papering and painting using various techniques, but I still think before the initial paper will stick well you will need a GOOD primer on the cabinet. Pre-pasted wallpaper will NOT stick to the slick metal surface and I am not sure the chalk paint will either.

I repainted stock white glossy white guttering a beige to match my exterior trim years ago. I used a good primer for metal and the paint is still on the gutters. Your metal cabinets are slick - nothing for the paste to bond to.

Stay away from contact paper :).

I probably would not even get the paper wet.
The Mod Podge as a base should do.
Try cutting a piece and testing on the back.

Are you sold on using wall paper ?
Fabric works great ...

Check out the link I'm attaching.
She's the one who sucked me in to Mod Podge.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.modpodgerocksblog.com/

You can wallpaper it of course, you could also use contac paper, more difficult to work with but no primer needed. many years ago my dh covered sides and top of our file cabinet, which is now not looking as good but is also not in a room but rather in a walk in closet, so who cares? this is what he did, he use wood paneling, and even trimmed it, we painted around the drawers.He used liquid nails to glue the paneling on and the trim.