How to Cut a Stainless Steel Kitchen Backsplash for Outlets

Measure the placement and dimensions of the outlets on the wall. Use this measurement to create a chalk outline on the stainless steel backsplash sheet. Cover the chalk outline with painter’s tape to protect the adjacent stainless steel surface from damage.

Slip on a pair of safety glasses and sturdy work gloves. Create an indentation in the upper left- or right-hand corner of the taped-off rectangle with a center punch. Hold the punch on the corner and hit it hard three to four times with a hammer. The indentation gives you a better idea where to drill.

Create a hole through the depression with a drill. Holding the drill straight, slowly drill through the indentation until it punctures the surface. The hole doesn’t have to be perfect but must be large enough to begin cutting through the backsplash.

Cut along the sides of the painter’s tape with heavy-duty sheet-metal shears. The cut also doesn’t need to be perfect but large enough to accommodate the outlet cover.

Sand the cut edges smooth with a piece of fine-grit sandpaper before centering the outlet cover over the hole to ensure it is large enough. If the hole isn’t large enough, cut another portion of the backsplash away with the metal shears.