How to Paint Kitchenaid Mixers

Painting that old KitchenAid stand mixer is not a task to be taken lightly because it involves dismantling the mixer and applying new paint over a baked-on surface. Because none of the KitchenAid stand mixer painted portions actually comes into any contact with food or food ingredients, many people have undertaken paint jobs to make their mixers a "fashion statement."

Therefore, with a little preparation and some good appliance paint, it is possible to paint a Kitchenaid mixer, either to touch up old paint or apply a new color.

Things You'll Need

• Flat-head screwdriver
• Small Phillips screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver, No. 1 or No. 2
• Paint remover
• Masking tape
• Mineral spirits
• Steel wool
• Self-etching epoxy
• Cleaning cloths
• Appliance enamel spray paint

Instructions

1. Take the mixer apart. You have to detach the base from the top. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the four large screws that secure those two sections.

2. Remove the aluminum drip cup that is above the planetary gear assembly. Do this by tapping around its top edge with a small flat-edge screwdriver.

3. Remove the band that encircles the top portion. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws at the back of the mixer top that secure the band.

4. Remove the planetary gear assembly. This is done by removing the five small screws that secure the gear assembly to the mixer top.

5. Remove the bowl-raising assembly on the KS55 and KSMC50. It slides off the bottom of the stand portion, once this section has been detached from the base piece.

6. Strip the paint off the mixer with a liquid paint remover.

7. Sand lightly all surfaces to be painted to remove any paint specks or globs.

8. Clean surfaces to be painted with mineral spirits as a final preparation step.

9. Spray all surfaces to be painted with a self-etching epoxy. This type of epoxy can be found at an auto parts store.

10. Spray lightly with a first coat of appliance paint. Let it dry completely.

11. Spray a second coat and let it dry. After that, spray a third coat of appliance paint.

12. Spray a fourth, and then a fifth coat of appliance paint to get a truly rich-looking finish.

13. Bake the painted parts in a 350-degree oven for one hour. Let parts cool in the oven, before reassembling the mixer. Baking can better seal the paint to the mixer pieces.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the painting area is well-ventilated, and wear a mask while painting.

• Mask any non-detached areas you don't want to paint.

• Do not attempt painting with a brush.

• KitchenAid officially discourages repainting stand mixers.

References

• Reader's Digest: How to Touch Up Appliances

Resources

• LoveToKnow: Appliance Paint and Its Uses Explained