Paint can make appliances look new without high cost
By Kyle Valentini
April 27, 2011
386
Home improvement costs a lot. That statement is true sometimes, but not always. Some improvements can be dramatic and still affordable. You can use paint to change the look of a room, a window and even outdated appliances like the avocado green stove that was hip in the 70s, but seems to have lost its appeal in the 21st century.
The stove still works, so why pay hundreds for a new one when you can use appliance paint to give it a whole new look? Appliance paint is specifically formulated to stick to shiny metal surfaces like stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers. Appliance paint coats surfaces with a hard enamel that when applied correctly, can be cleaned with traditional methods and will last for years.
Nowadays you can find paint to coat nearly any surface from stainless steel to enamel. You can even paint enamel to look like stainless steel. Chalkboard paint might be the next best thing since sliced bread, especially if you have a household filled with list makers or artists. Magnetic paint is equally awesome and you will never have to say no to that super cool collection of designer handbags again because youll have a place to put them.
Simply coating an appliance with paint is one thing, but you can choose more labor intensive projects if your skill level and patience allows. Know your limits. If you absolutely must have a refrigerator complete with Italian fresco, then by all means do it. When word gets out, you will be asked to quit your day job and paint every appliance in your neighborhood so proceed with caution.
Pick your paint: Depending on what you are painting you will need to choose the appropriate product. Consult your paint store specialist or read labels carefully. Stoves and hoods will obviously require heat resistant paint.
Clean your appliance: You will need to begin with a clean appliance in order for the paint to adhere to the surface. Dont clean it like your mother-in-law is coming over; clean it like Martha Stewart is coming over to grade you on your domestic prowess. If you cant get it clean enough, wait for Martha to arrive and she will certainly have a method for getting the gravy spill from 1982 off the surface.
Ventilate: I cannot stress this enough. Appliance paint stinks and is not meant to be inhaled. Open windows, use a fan or better yet, take the appliance outside if you can.
Sequester the cats: Kitty paw prints look cute on your car windshield, but not so much on your freshly painted appliance. Keep the cats in a separate part of the house until your appliance paint has dried completely.
Mask: Mask off parts of the appliance you dont want to paint. Knobs can be removed and sometimes other hardware. Tape it off if this is not the case.
Drop cloth: Protect surfaces in your space that you do not want to be painted. I know, its obvious, but I had to mention it.
Paint: Paint. Spray at the proper distance and remember several light coats of paint are better than one thick coat. Drips are displeasing.
While your appliance is drying, clean up your mess, check on the cats and make yourself a cup of tea. When the paint is completely dry, remove any masking tape and behold the new and improved appliance.
