How to Refinish a Fruit Press

You can identify painter's tape by its blue color.

A fruit press is a device used to separate fruit juice from fruit solids. There are a variety of types of fruit presses. Smaller, personal fruit presses are often made of wood, while larger fruit presses, used in manufacturing, are usually made of metal. If you would like to refinish a wooden fruit press, you should use the appropriate coatings or you may contaminate the fruit. If you need to refinish a metallic fruit press, you will need to use a special type of primer and paint or you will end up with heavy shedding that will also lead to contamination.

Things You'll Need

• Professional painter's tape
• Heavy-duty fabric drop cloths
• Oil-based stain
• 2- to 4-inch oil paintbrush
• Mineral spirits
• Food grade lacquer
• Water-based degreasing cleanser
• Coarse sponge
• Water hose
• Rags
• Galvanized metal etching spray primer
• Appliance epoxy spray paint

Instructions

Wood fruit press

1. Protect areas of the fruit press you do not want stained with painter's tape. Cover the floor beneath the press with drop cloths.

2. Apply oil-based stain to the fruit press, using a paintbrush manufactured for use with oil paints.

3. Wash the brush with mineral spirits.

4. Wait four hours for the stained fruit press to dry. Apply food-grade lacquer to the fruit press with the clean brush. Wait a full day before using the press.

Metal fruit press

1. Wash the fruit press with a water-based degreasing cleanser and coarse sponge. Rinse the press, using a water hose or wet rags. Wait two to four hours for the press to dry.

2. Protect areas of the fruit press you do not want painted with painter's tape. Cover the floor beneath the press with drop cloths.

3. Coat the fruit press with galvanized metal etching spray primer. Hold the can eight inches from the press as you apply.

4. Wait four hours for the primed fruit press to dry. Coat the fruit press with appliance epoxy spray paint. Hold the can eight inches from the press as you apply. Wait a full day before using the press.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't use varnish on a fruit press because it may contaminate the fruit.

• Don't use a plain latex or oil-based primer on a metallic fruit press or the paint will flake.

Resources

• Popular Mechanics: 5 Pro Painting Tips Every Amateur Should Know