Anyone ever painted a large appliance??

[pjlla]

I'm thinking of painting my range. I got a new dishwasher a few years back in stainless.... and then got a new fridge this spring in stainless as well. But my range is still "late 90's almond". I have contemplated buying a new one but with a new college student there is no money plus I really don't want to go to a flat cooktop and it seems like all of the "better" ranges out there offer just that or gas. I would really miss my electric burners, not to mention that my range has a LOT of features I really love. So I am contemplating trying to paint the range.

My two biggest issues would be ... 1. How much the paint would cost. I know there are companies out there that make high heat spray specifically for appliances, but with regular Rustoleum costing $8/can for the metallics, I am leary of how much this would cost. And #2. I'm not sure how you go about masking off or replacing the numbers around the burner dials.

Anyone have any experience with this??? TIA.............P

 

[danygirl]

Dh painted our range hood when we bought a new stove because we just couldn't afford a new one. That was a few years ago and it still looks great. He has also painted replacement mirrors for the cars the same way

 

[tvguy]

I remember as a kid in the 1960's people had it done all the time as a cheap way to update their kitchen. I have to laugh because the last time I remember being done it was a neighbor who wanted to go from out of date avocado to that new hip color.......almond!

And we just upgraded our almond appliances, to new almond appliances.

 

[NotUrsula]

Another way to do it is to take the appliance to an automotive paint shop. The will use heat to set the finish, and it will be very high quality.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

I'm thinking of painting my range. I got a new dishwasher a few years back in stainless.... and then got a new fridge this spring in stainless as well. But my range is still "late 90's almond". I have contemplated buying a new one but with a new college student there is no money plus I really don't want to go to a flat cooktop and it seems like all of the "better" ranges out there offer just that or gas. I would really miss my electric burners, not to mention that my range has a LOT of features I really love. So I am contemplating trying to paint the range.

My two biggest issues would be ... 1. How much the paint would cost. I know there are companies out there that make high heat spray specifically for appliances, but with regular Rustoleum costing $8/can for the metallics, I am leary of how much this would cost. And #2. I'm not sure how you go about masking off or replacing the numbers around the burner dials.

Anyone have any experience with this??? TIA.............P

There is some Pinterest "how to" pins. We painted a refridge because it was old and ugly and now it is way way better. There are appliance specific kits maybe give those a look. We painted ours blue but was to match the kids room decor. Most stoves are enamel paint so look for that.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ehow.com has DIY instructions http://www.ehow.com/how_5142879_paint-kitchen-stove.html#page=0

 

[Carina]

Heard you can use engine paint from an automotive shop on ranges

 

[shortbun]

Paint it red or black. Red would really be nice surrounded by stainless!

 

[pjlla]

Dh painted our range hood when we bought a new stove because we just couldn't afford a new one. That was a few years ago and it still looks great. He has also painted replacement mirrors for the cars the same way

Guess I would have to paint that too!

Another way to do it is to take the appliance to an automotive paint shop. The will use heat to set the finish, and it will be very high quality.

Actually, I have heard about that, but since we don't own a truck I don't know how I would get the range to the shop.... and I am not sure I want to part with whatever they would charge... I can only imagine it would start at about the price of a cheap Maaco paint job.... $300+.

Paint it red or black. Red would really be nice surrounded by stainless!

I kind of had to chuckle at this.... red is my absolute LEAST favorite color on the entire planet! And my kitchen is already a bit of a dark cave, so I need light and bright! But thanks for the suggestions!

Have started looking on CL and FB online yardsales for a new range, but still open to the possibilities of painting my current one!..........P

 

[pryncess527]

I painted a fridge black once. I don't think I spent more than $20 on a few cans of appliance spray paint from Home Depot.

My only real mistake was underestimating how far spray paint travels. I should have taken the fridge outside, but instead my stubborn-self tried to use drop cloths, open doors, and fans to just keep the area ventilated so I wouldn't have to move the fridge. I ended up with a very light layer of paint over tons of things I did not anticipate. Luckily that was pre-remodel so I didn't care that much.

No advice about the numbers around the dials. You may just be able to buy new black knobs that have the numbers on the dial to get around that problem.

All in all though, I'd say it's a cheap easy way to update an appliance that's otherwise in fine shape.

 

[wiigirl]

Another way to do it is to take the appliance to an automotive paint shop. The will use heat to set the finish, and it will be very high quality.

This...and its really not that expensive.

 

[tar heel]

This thread is interesting to me because I'm replacing my appliances one at a time as they break. I now have a stainless range and, as of last weekend, over the range microwave. Next up: dishwasher -- mine works but is in really bad condition.

OP -- Have you ever used a flat cooktop? If I had known how much better it would be, I might have replaced my range while it was working! I have so much more flexibility -- flip a switch and my big burner becomes a giant one. No burner bibs to clean, no gross crap down in the stove when your rice boils over, etc.

 

[powellrj]

My parents had a neighbor paint their fridge many years ago. It was when people still did auto body work in their homes. He painted cars and used the car paint to do their fridge. It looked great, but like I said this was many years ago and I know you would have to take it to a regular place now due to all the laws and regulations.

 

[pjlla]

Okay.... I've looked up the paint (high heat Rustoleum spray paint, silver satin finish) and it is a bit under $7/can at Home Depot. Figuring I would need at least 4 cans. I realized that I do not have to paint all of the sides because they don't show, so that will save me some time and money. I have searched high and low for replacement decals for behind the burners and came up with nothing for my model, but I'm wondering if I could buy decals for another model that might work as well. My range is actually so old that many parts are no longer available, even through KitchenAid. Might end up experimenting by painting the range hood first. If that doesn't come out well I won't continue with the project.

Actually, my biggest concern at this point is that in my attempt to scrub the range well, remove some parts and mask off other parts that I will damage something and ruin the range and end up having to buy a new one any how!

If I go ahead with this any time soon, I will let you all know how it goes! Thanks so much for all of your ideas and suggestions! .....................P

 

[pjlla]

This thread is interesting to me because I'm replacing my appliances one at a time as they break. I now have a stainless range and, as of last weekend, over the range microwave. Next up: dishwasher -- mine works but is in really bad condition.

OP -- Have you ever used a flat cooktop? If I had known how much better it would be, I might have replaced my range while it was working! I have so much more flexibility -- flip a switch and my big burner becomes a giant one. No burner bibs to clean, no gross crap down in the stove when your rice boils over, etc.

My Mom has had a flat cooktop for years and I have used her periodically. Plus I just spent a week at a vacation cottage that had a flat cooktop and it just confirmed to me that I really don't like them! I agree that the cleaning would be SO EASY! And there are some other features that would be nice.... but I'm not sold on them yet. .......................P

 

[pjlla]

Just wanted to update..... I've decided to go ahead with the project. I dragged the range out to the garage (or rather, DH and DS dragged it out) on Saturday and between Saturday and Sunday I spent about 2+ hours scrubbing and partially de-constructing the range. I've been VERY careful to take pictures and make notes as I take things apart. I haven't gone too nuts, but the door HAD to to be taken apart and cleaned well anyhow.

I spent some time this morning doing a test spot on the side of the range to be sure I liked the color/finish and it seems fine, so I've gone ahead and done the taping and masking, but I will wait until tomorrow to start painting as it is very rainy and humid here today. I PRAY that I have degreased it thoroughly. I used a LOT of spray-on cleaner/degreaser and lots of rubbing and scrubbing and rinsing. I am a pretty decent housekeeper and was STUNNED at how much grease was all over this thing! ICKY!

I haven't really figured out what to do about the numbers behind the knobs. I know I can figure out what to do because I've owned the thing for years, but it will be hard for others to use it without numbers. If I can find a small alphabet/number decal at the craft store I could put them on after the fact.... just "OFF", and then a few other dots around, like a clock, plus "HI" and "LO". I managed to mask off the little indicator lights for the burners by using my masking tape and a single hole punch. And I opted to NOT remove the electronic control panel even though I managed to get access to it.... too many wires and such and too much could go wrong... one broken wire or bracket and I'd be in trouble. Yes, the electronic control panel is almond, but there is NOTHING I can do about that without ordering an entire replacement panel and hiring a repairman to replace it. No thanks.

I've taken before and during pictures (so far). I will share them when I have an "after" picture to share as well (assuming this project doesn't go down in flames!!).

So far the biggest problem is living without the stove, but I was in the market for a new toaster oven anyhow (ours died in July and I hadn't replaced it yet) and managed to find a STEAL on a like-new one at the thrift store yesterday. Gave it a disinfecting scrub ( mostly for my own peace of mind) and it worked just fine this morning! Between that, the grill, and the microwave, I think we can manage for a few days!

Thanks again for the help and advise!...........P

 

[pjlla]

So far so good! I've gotten about 4 coats of paint on some of the smaller parts and around the edges of the stove. I've got two coats on the actual range top area. The stove front, drawer front, and stove top definitely need several more coats, but it is looking pretty good! I just did a VERY VERY light sanding (i.e., more like a wipe) on the stove top and two other big pieces. But it is looking like rain so I started hauling the stuff back into the garage. Fingers crossed that the rain holds off a bit longer so I can maybe get one or two more coats on the top............P

 

[pjlla]

Ready for the big reveal?? Stove is done and re-assembled and back in place and I must say it looks pretty good! It doesn't have the same type of "sheen" that my brushed stainless dishwasher and fridge do, but it blends a whole lot better than it did before. Next up I will take out the range hood and paint it to match!

BEFORE: 1994 almond range with 19 years worth of scratches and dings (and not to mention an ALARMING amount of grease )

AFTER: Freshly painted "stainless" range!

Cost and time breakdown:

I bought blue painter's tape, 7 cans of Rustoleum high heat paint, 1 package of steel wool pads, and 1 bottle of cleaner/degreaser for a total of $59.24. I have most of the tape and steel wool left, as well as over half a bottle of the cleaner. I also have 2 cans of the paint remaining but I will be using those (as well as the cleaner) on the range hood. The only other things I used that I already had on hand were 2 trashbags to help me mask off the oven interior and the space under the burner openings on the range top and a spray paint "handle trigger" (I've done some spray painting in the past and I know how tired your finger can get!).

I spent about 2 hours the first weekend on scrubbing down the range VERY THOROUGHLY with degreaser (multiple times) and masking off everything I needed to, plus deconstructing the range to a certain point to aid in the painting. After that it was just a matter of dashing out to the garage/driveway several times a day to do another quick coat of paint. I spent 10 days on this, but it definitely could have been done MUCH quicker. I got busy and didn't get to paint it every day, plus we got heavy rain Labor Day weekend and I didn't want to paint in those very humid conditions. That being said, I probably didn't spend more than an hour any single day on painting and sanding.

I did do a VERY LIGHT sanding with the steel wool after about every other coat, especially on the horizontal surfaces like the oven door (painted it laying flat) and the stove top. They seemed to need it more.

So if you're up for it, I would suggest you set aside at least $50 and 5-7 days to be without your appliance. I think I ended doing AT LEAST 10-12 light coats on most of the parts, especially the range top and control panel area.

The two hardest parts were finding a way to mask off the parts that I didn't want painted (like the burner indicator lights) and reassembling the door (thank GOODNESS I took pictures as I took it apart!!). I ended up leaving the main control panel it's original almond color. It is a plastic electronic panel and I didn't want to remove it (waaaaay too many wires and connections) and there was no good way to just mask off parts. So it stayed as is. Oh well. And I couldn't find any new burner decals to go behind the knobs (you know, the things that say "off" "Hi" "Lo" etc)... so we are "flying blind" for the moment. But after using this stove for 19 years I think I can remember which direction is high and which is low (can't say the same for the rest of the family though!).

Overall I am pleased with the results. Any questions??..................P

 

[3boymthr]

Just a thought for anyone thinking of doing this. DH painted our stove too - though not the kitchen stove - the WOOD stove. Anyway, he bought the heat resistant appliance paint as well, but they do also sell it in a regular paint can and it can be applied with a brush. We had to use this kind on the wood stove as we couldn't risk getting the paint down inside the air vents and having them stick. It actually worked really well and it's a bit more economical as a quart can cost $14.

 

[pampam]

pjlla, I am impressed. The stove looks very good. I have considered painting our fridge. This might just be the incentive I need. You inspire me.