Painting - Repaint file cabinet

I roughed up existing paint on cabinet. Do I have to remove all paint? Was going to spray paint it black, but
got this knucklehead urge to paint it light terracotta to match decor. Spray paints don't come in that color and of course you can't mix them. Should I give up and go back to black, or is there some small chance I can satisfy this infernal color fussiness?
Thanks

No, you don't need to remove all the paint, just the loose paint First cleaning any dirt, grease or oil, then ruffing the surface with a 220 grit sandpaper and feathering any paint edges, spot priming any bare spots with a metal primer, rustoleum comes in spray cans. Lightly sand the primer spots and remove dust. Since the factory paint is probably an oil based paint I would go back with an oil based paint, or prime entirly with an oil primer then you can top coat with a quality paint of your choice.

If you are wanting to spray with the color you mentioned, Sherwin Williams (and other quality paint stores) carry a spray bottle you can fill yourself, with a paint of your choice, the paint does need a little thinning so read the instruction carefully and don't apply too thick or the paint will run. I have used these bottles to paint metal window frames a bronze color, they work very well.

Hope this helps,