How to repaint a kitchen? (December 22, 2008)

Two questions today about how to repaint a vintage refrigerator or other appliance. Oooooh, I get to use this great 1968 kitchen photo for this post! Is that a Drexel Declaration bench in the foreground? And look at the soffit - it¡¯s a little shingled roofline. I love the planked wood cabinets. Tee hee, this kitchen is so awesome.

A question from Elise:

My son just bought and old refrigerator.  It is in perfect working condition.  It is a one door appliance with the little ice box in the top center.  We would like to repaint it in a retro color, possible in aqua.  I found some appliance paint but they only offer white, almond or black at the home center stores.  Where can I buy some appliance paint in retro colors???  Thank you.

And a similar one from Rob:

Do you know where I can get my hands on some avocado green appliance paint?

I turned to Speedway Ron for help with this one. He responds:

I spend some time on-line after I got this message to see if there was appliance paint available in custom colors (because I didn¡¯t think there was).  I still do not see any.  Appliance paint is still going to come in an aerosol can even if you find it.  I¡¯ve aerosol painted many things in my day but I¡¯ve never found it to be a great finish for something that is supposed to be really nice.  If it¡¯s a garage fridge or something for a bar or place that isn¡¯t well lit, ANY urethane aerosol would be fine.  However, it still boils down to surface preparation (clean, sanded, filled as needed, and primed with a compatible primer).  Even then, the durability of spray paint is so-so and some cleaners will actually remove the finish. You can¡¯t spray something as big as a fridge with an aerosol and not get some splatter effect.  The best method is still automotive paint.  There simply isn¡¯t anything better for smooth, glossy, durable finishes.  The cost isn¡¯t cheap.  I checked an auto shop by my house and the price was $300-500 if I had the fridge disassembled and sandblasted for them and delivered it to them!  A shop like Maaco Auto Body and Paint would do it much cheaper and without disassembly.  They would simply clean, mask and spray it just like you brought it to them.  Probably $100 or so there.  Powder coating isn¡¯t an option for these unless you COMPLETELY disassemble them and nobody wants to do that.  Hope that helps. Final answer¡­if you want a decent job, spray paint it OUTSIDE (with good ventilation).  If you want a good or great job, see a body shop for automotive paint.

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