How to Refinish an Antique Cash Register
To rejuvenate the appearance of an antique cash register, refinish it with the appropriate type of paint. Before beginning the application process, you will need to abrade the register to enhance surface adhesion, or the cash register will reject the new finish and the paint will eventually flake off. It is necessary to choose a particular abrasion technique based on what the cash register is made of.
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Things You'll Need
- Water-based degreaser
- Coarse sponge
- Rags
- Blue painter's tape
- Scissors
- Heavy-duty fabric drop cloth
- Galvanize metal etching spray primer
- Oil-based enamel spray paint
- 120-grit sandpaper
- Acrylic spray primer
- Appliance epoxy spray paint
Instructions
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Instructions
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1
Clean the antique cash register with a water-based degreaser, using a coarse sponge. Rinse the register with wet rags. Wait for the clean register to dry.
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2
Cover portions of the antique cash register that you do not want painted with a low-tack painter's tape. Cut the tape into smaller pieces using scissors if necessary. Place the register on a fabric drop cloth.
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3
Coat the clean cash register with a galvanize metal etching spray primer. Hold the primer eight inches from the register as you apply. Wait six hours for the primed register to dry.
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4
Coat the primed cash register with an oil-based enamel spray paint. Apply the enamel just as you did the primer. Wait six hours before using the antique register.
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Tips & Warnings
If the antique cash register is made of plastic or vinyl, sand the surface prior to application to promote paint adhesion. Afterward, use an acrylic latex primer instead of an etching primer, and coat the primed register with an appliance epoxy spray paint.
If the cash register is metal, do not use an ordinary acrylic latex or oil-based primer in place of an etching primer or the finish will eventually peel.
Resources
- Photo Credit cash register - classic image by gary kaPLOW! from Fotolia.com
