How to Paint Old Appliances
Breathe new life into an old tarnished or mismatched appliance by refinishing it with paint. Before you get started, consider an important point. Whether your appliance is made of plastic, vinyl or metal, it is poorly suited for paint adhesion. Combat this by dedicating yourself to thorough preparation. Employ specific procedures based on the composition of the appliance, or flaking will result. Use a special paint and apply it using the proper paintbrush, or you will end up with a failed finish, marred with brushstrokes.
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Things You'll Need
- Water-based degreasing cleanser
- Plastic brush
- Rags
- Towels
- 180-grit sandpaper
- Dropcloth
- Professional painter's tape
- Masking paper
- Acrylic latex spray primer
- Metal self-etching spray primer
- Epoxy appliance spray paint
- Acrylic enamel
Instructions
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1
Wash the old appliance with a water-based cleanser, using a plastic brush. Rinse the appliance with damp rags and dry it with clean towels.
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2
Abrade old vinyl and plastic appliances to promote adhesion by scuffing them with 180-grit sandpaper. Stop sanding when the appliance feels gritty. Do not sand metallic appliances.
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3
Protect parts of the appliance that are to remain unpainted by covering them with painter's tape and sheets of masking paper. Place a dropcloth on the floor.
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4
Coat vinyl and plastic appliances with spray primer. Coat metallic appliances with metal self-etching spray primer. Maintain 8 inches between the appliance and spray primer nozzle as you apply. Allow three hours of dry time.
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5
Coat the primed appliance with appliance spray paint. Maintain 8 inches between the appliance and spray paint nozzle as you apply. Allow three hours of dry time.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't use latex paint on old appliances, as it will eventually fade and flake.
Always maintain an 8-inch space between the appliance and spray can nozzle, or the finish will sag.
Do not paint an unprimed appliance, or the finish will peel.
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