How to Paint a Range

Painting your range protects the metal body from harmful elements and corrosives.

A range's paint starts to degrade after enough cleaning and scrubbing after cooking and makes the unit look unpleasant. Besides being aesthetically pleasing, the paint protects the aluminum or iron below it from corroding because of exposure to air. When you notice patches of paint missing from your stove range, start preparing to paint it.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper or plastic sheeting
• Clean cloths
• Sandpaper (150-grit preferred)
• 1-inch paintbrush
• Metal primer
• Metal appliance paint
• Airbrush (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut off the power to your range before you begin working. If you have a range fitted into your home's electrical wiring, shut off the circuit breaker leading to that range.

2. Cover the area around the part of your stove you wish to paint, leaving only the area you wish to paint exposed. Put some other paper or plastic around the stove on the floor to prevent paint from dripping onto the flooring material.

3. Wipe the surface you would like to paint clean of any grease or dust, using clean cloths. Any impurities simply cause the paint to wear and tear much faster.

4. Sand the surface with sandpaper to skim the surface out for painting.

5. Wipe the surface again with a dry and clean cloth to remove the microscopic remains from sanding.

6. Spread around metal primer on the surface, using a thin 1-inch brush. Spread about two or three coats as per the instructions on the primer's canister. Hold the canister close to the surface you spread the primer on for easy access.

7. Apply your paint with a hand brush or airbrush on the surface of your stove range and allow the paint to cure for a day or two, depending on the paint manufacturer's instructions on your paint canister.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your working area properly ventilated to allow for fast curing.

• Do not cook while the paint cures, as some fumes from the paint might intoxicate you while you cook.