Refurbishing old bookcases

You _could_ strip and polish them, but they're most likely plain steel, so they'd rust pretty quick.

I'd strip them with paint stripper or sand with an orbital sander, then prime and paint them with a name brand spray bomb (Krylon and Rust-Oleum in the US). In order of importance, you want to make sure your surface is well prepared and CLEAN, you want to do a good job of spraying, and you want to choose the best available paint.

When sanding what grade of sandpaper should I use? 220? 320? I have a bosch hand random orbit sander. Would that be an appropriate tool to use? Many Thanks

You are posting from google. Please read the link below, specifically the part about how to retain context.

If there are large flat or mostly flat expanses, if the orbital sander will get where you want it to go, and if you have the self discipline to keep from gouging your work with it, it's a fine tool. Alternately, I'd use a chemical stripper.

I would probably go with 220 or 320, depending on how well your paint fills scratches. I would do a test patch on the back of the shelves, or on a piece of scrap sheet metal.

Since you're in Google anyway, why not do a search on painting metal? There has to be at least one comprehensive tutorial out there.

I would be inclined not to sand them. I'd cover the shelves with chemical paint stripper, leave it for maybe 15-30 minutes, then rub the paint off with steel wool. This avoids scratching the metal with sandpaper. Admittedly your new paint should cover the scratches, but I'd use stripper and avoid the scratches in the first place. Check the trade places in your area and you should be able to find a large can of stripper at a reasonable price. Don't forget gloves and eye protection.

Best wishes,

Chris

I haven't bought chemical stripper in years. I use brake fluid. I keep old fluid for this purpose, but when I don't have an accumulation, new fluid works fine. At $3/qt it's much cheaper than chemical strippers, it's less caustic, and it works fine. If you need more it's available almost anywhere, including the corner gas station/convenience store. Apply with a paint brush, then go do something else. Currently have an Atlas headstock saturated and waiting till I get home to finish it.