How to spray paint a refrigerator

In this guide today, you will learn the complete procedure for spray painting refrigerators at home with a shiny finish without any mess.

This guide is very easy to apply able on refrigerators without any issues it is tested and analyzed by my professional painter friends.

And they were amazed to see the results after applying this guide to their fridges.

Paint your refrigerator! Whether you use a roller to avoid splatters and stains or use spray paint for a much faster fix, revamping your refrigerator is easier than you’d think.

But be warned: a pretty fridge makes that midnight snack way more tempting.

Unplug the fridge and set it in the middle of your kitchen. you’ll want to keep enough room around your appliance so that you can move around the outside, top, and both sides of it.

Make sure that nothing is blocking your access to everywhere on this appliance, like other appliances or counters.

Table of Contents

How to spray paint a refrigerator?

Paint in well ventilated to spray paint fridge

Paint spraying can be a messy business. But there are ways around it from keeping yourself safe with a face mask, to working in a well-ventilated environment outside or on your deck.

Paint is flammable so try not to work inside an enclosed space such as your workshop or kitchen.

And if you happen to be planning to spray an appliance like a fridge inside your house, get someone to help you move it using the right tools such as dollies.

Use drop cloths before painting the refrigerator

Oh man, painting can get messy. It’s pretty much inevitable that you end up with some drips, but thankfully there is an easy way to protect your floors, and grass.

And especially all that beautiful wood on your decking. Lay down a drop cloth before spraying so you don’t have to worry about those potential sticky situations.

You can buy drop cloths at a paint store or hardware store or maybe ask the great people you know because we are sure they would be more than happy to lend you theirs if they have them!

If all else fails it might be worth checking out what’s available at local home improvement stores such as Lowes or Home Depot;

They generally will have tarps and heavy plastic sheeting readily available for purchase.

Clean the refrigerator before painting

There are two methods to clean the refrigerator before the painting process; one is to use a mild cleaning solution, and the other is to throw it away.

If you wonder why throwing your refrigerator away is a great way to clean it, the answer is simple.

You are going to buy a new refrigerator anyway and it will cost you less to throw the old one than to clean it.

If you really want to clean it, you can use a mild cleaning solution, like a mixture of water and vinegar. Just spray it on the refrigerator and wipe it with a rag.

Sand the surface

Sanding is worth the extra time and effort. It will give you an outstanding paint job that lasts. If you don’t sand, you may find the paint not adhering to the original surface properly.

And it may peel and chip off with time. I recommend you use a wire brush to sand off the old paint. It works great.

Cover surface with painter’s tape

Before you start a paint project, there are some things you want to make sure you do for safety.

If there is anything that shouldn’t get painted, such as door handles or hinges, take the time to thoroughly tape off those areas.

You can easily do it with painter’s tape and a little bit of elbow grease.

Also, make sure you prime all areas you will be painting as well as any woodwork or doors/windows.

Apply primer on fridge surface

Apply an oil-based primer spray over the surface of the refrigerator. Before you begin spraying, make sure the outside temperature is warm enough and that it’s not rainy or humid out.

Holding the can about 8 inches away from the appliance (20 cm), start spraying with a zero-degree angle as you constantly move back and forth.

Gradually increasing pressure with each pass until all parts are covered.

To ensure you’re primed and ready to go, it’s a wise idea to let the primer dry for at least one hour before painting.

You’ll find that your primer and paint finishes are smoother and the paint sticks better when it’s totally dry.

Although this drying time may seem like quite a long wait, know that many painting connoisseurs recommend giving your primer a few extra hours to prepare itself.

So we hope you’ll bear with us until then.

Start spraying on refrigerator

As you did with the primer, apply several light coats of paint rather than one thick coat. This will prevent dripping and ensure even coverage in your refrigerator.

Remember to hold the paint can about 8 inches (20 cm) away from the refrigerator while using it.

Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next coat, just as you did when applying primer.

Shake the can before use and try to avoid applying excessive layers of paint as this makes it harder for the paint to dry.

After you’ve applied a layer of paint let it dry for about an hour so that you could color over it using another coat.

Wear latex gloves if you really want to avoid getting paint on your fingers, otherwise, simply wash your hands off after use.

Which spray paint is best for fridge?

The best spray paint for a refrigerator would be high-quality, appliance epoxy spray paint.

This type of paint is specifically designed for use on metal surfaces and can withstand the heat and moisture of a refrigerator.

It is also durable and resistant to chipping and fading. Brands such as Krylon and Rust-Oleum make appliance epoxy spray paint that would work well on a refrigerator.

What is the best way to paint a refrigerator?

The best way to paint a refrigerator is as follows:

Clean the surface thoroughly: Remove all dirt, grime, and grease from the surface of the refrigerator using a degreaser and a clean rag.
Sand the surface: Use fine-grit sandpaper to roughen the surface of the refrigerator, which will help the paint adhere better.
Wipe down the surface: Use a clean rag to remove any dust or debris created from sanding.

Apply a primer: Apply a metal primer specifically designed for appliances with a paintbrush or roller. Allow the primer to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Apply the paint: Use a paintbrush or roller to apply the appliance epoxy spray paint in light, even coats. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next.
Finish with a clear coat: To protect the paint and give it a glossy finish, apply a clear coat of polyurethane or a similar sealant. Allow it to dry completely before using the refrigerator again.

Note: Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area, wear a mask and gloves, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on all products used.

Do you have to prime a fridge before painting?

Yes, it is recommended to prime a refrigerator before painting.

The primer acts as a sealant, helping the paint to adhere better to the metal surface and providing a smooth base for the paint to go on.

Without a primer, the paint may not adhere well to the metal surface, resulting in chipping, peeling, or fading.

Additionally, using a metal primer specifically designed for appliances is recommended.

As it is formulated to adhere to metal surfaces and provide additional protection against rust and moisture.

It is also important to note that not all primers are made the same, so be sure to choose one that is recommended for use on appliances.

FAQ’s of How to spray paint a refrigerator

If you have a new refrigerator, then you should use a refrigerator enamel spray paint. If you decide to paint a refrigerator, try to choose a paint that is made especially for appliance. Enamel paints are the best. They are durable and look good. Most refrigerator paints are made with a matte finish, but you can also find glossy paints. Matte paints blend in well and are more resistant to scuffs and scratches. Glossy paints are more likely to develop small chips. Before you buy a paint, look at the label and see what type of paint it is. If it’s not enamel paint, don’t buy it.

Yes, you can easily paint a rusty refrigerator. You can use the paint which you used for painting your house or anything else. You just need to make the rust less before doing any paint job. You can sand the surface of the refrigerator and remove the rust completely. You can use a wire brush for this. Then you have to get the surface of refrigerator clean. Use the sandpaper to clean rust and dust. Then use a damp cloth to wipe it. Now you can paint the rusty refrigerator using any of the paint you used for painting your house wall. It will give a new look to your kitchen.

There are multiple ways to get rid of rust, depending on what type of surface you have and what kind of rust you have. The best way to get rid of rust from the surface of your fridge, is to use lemon juice. Cut a lemon in half and rub the cut half of the lemon on the surface of the fridge. Let it sit for an hour. The purpose of the lemon juice is to clean the surface and it does so by removing the rust, which can be easily removed by wiping off the juice and rubbing with a wet cloth or paper towel. After this, your fridge will look shiny and new again. (Please note that you should be careful while using this method because the lemon juice might leave a yellow stain on the surface on which you are applying it)

You can spray paint the inner surface of a fridge provided that the inner surface is perfectly smooth without any rough patches. The next thing you should use is the right kind of paint. Anything other than that is going to scratch off and flake off.

Verdict of How to spray paint a refrigerator

We hope you enjoyed our article about how to paint a refrigerator. With this knowledge, we know that you can make the most of your DIY projects when painting your new appliance.

So, what are you waiting for? Start painting your refrigerator today!

Matthew Edward

Matthew Edward is a professional painter who loves to paint and wants to share useful tips and tricks which he had learned in many years of experience in painting. He also used many products that can be used for painting he has tried and tested each and every product to give an unbias opinion about it in his review. This blog is very useful for those newbies who want to learn painting without making mistakes.