How (and When) to Paint the Device
If you have unsuitable appliances (or ones that have seen better days), you may want to consider replacing them. However, new appliances are a big investment, especially if you need to replace multiple appliances. There’s a more cost-effective way to breathe new life into your shabby appliances and stretch your budget a few more years: in some cases, you can actually paint them.
Keep in mind that appliances should only be painted if they are in good working order and have cosmetic wear; Painting appliances that you’ll have to replace within a year probably isn’t a good investment. But if you have the wrong set of appliances, if you’re remodeling some other aspects of your kitchen and want the old appliances to match, or if you’re just looking to freshen up your kitchen, painting your appliances may be a good option—and you can hide the scratches and abrasions if you prepare the surfaces correctly. If there are dents or larger defects, painting may not be worthwhile until you have repaired the damage, as these repairs may cause some of the paint to become dislodged.
Products to consider when painting home appliances:
How to prepare the device for painting
Start by cleaning the surface you want to paint with warm, soapy water to remove any grease or dirt. Remove handles and handles where possible. Then sand the entire surface of the appliance with 180 grit sandpaper . This step will roughen the surface and give the new paint a chance to stick. Be sure to look into crevices and corners to ensure the new coat of paint goes on evenly. Next, use a vacuum cleaner to remove any sanding dust from the surface, followed by a wipe with a damp microfiber cloth to remove all the tiny particles, even the ones you can’t see. Once the surface is clean, cover with masking tape any handles, hardware, or labels that you do not want to paint. Don’t forget about important parts like hinges, because if paint gets on them they may not work properly. Also be sure to cover any screw holes on the knobs or knobs with tape or unused screw to prevent paint from getting on the threads, making it difficult to replace the hardware later.
Since most appliances are made of metal or plastic, you should first choose a primer that is designed to adhere to the surface you plan to paint. For metal, a good choice would be a marine primer for applications above the waterline , or a primer designed for aluminum or other galvanized metal if your surface is aluminum. For appliances with plastic panels, you can use plastic primer instead of metal ones. This type of primer is often sold as a specialty product for lawn and garden furniture, but it will also work on interior plastics. For high-heat surfaces such as an oven, you should choose a heat-resistant primer .
You can brush or spray the primer on and let it dry. Once it’s dry, you can sand again and apply another coat if the previous color is showing through or there are small imperfections you want to hide.
How to paint the device
The simplest paint for household appliances is enamel. Acrylic enamel is a good option due to its low evaporation and ease of cleanup, but there are also spray application options. For high-temperature applications, you can choose oven paint that is rated for extreme temperatures.
Make sure the primed surface is completely dry and clean before applying the top coat. While most paint should be applied in a well-ventilated area, you should avoid applying paint in areas where there may be gusts of wind or debris that could fall onto the surface. Since you want the finish to be free of any stains, be sure to follow all manufacturer specifications, including the temperature at which the paint can be applied, as well as any instructions on how long the paint should dry.
Once the paint is completely dry, at least 24 hours after application, you can reattach all hardware and remove the masking tape. Do not use sharp tools on the painted surface to avoid scratching it. After this, your repaired device is ready for use.