Sooner or later appearance household appliances deteriorate, and we have to figure out how to paint a refrigerator at home. Of course, it won’t look like new, but we can radically change its design.

This opportunity should not be missed, so below we will describe the key stages of the process of restoring the appearance of the refrigerator.

Tools and materials

Paint selection

The first and most actual question– What paint can you use to paint a refrigerator?

Of course, there is no single correct answer to this, so you will have to choose from several options:

• Initially, refrigerators are painted enamel paints, and therefore it is quite logical to use them to restore appearance. Moreover, for work you can use both enamels in jars and car paints in aerosol cans.
• Enamels have quite a lot of advantages: high-quality adhesion, durability, and pleasant. As for the disadvantages, they are associated with the rather high toxicity of solvents.

Note!
Car enamels usually contain components that provide resistance to weathering.
For our purpose, these substances do not play a special role, so it is not worth overpaying for super-resistant paint.

• Epoxy paints. According to their own operational characteristics These pigments are almost identical to enamels, but the process of applying them is more complicated. In addition, the price of high-quality epoxy composition is quite high.
• Acrylic mixtures. Since our purpose requires a fairly small amount of paint, choosing acrylic can be considered a budget solution. According to their characteristics, acrylic pigments are inferior to enamels, but for using a refrigerator at home, they have a sufficient margin of strength and durability.

Note!
Another advantage of acrylic is its wide palette.
If you are planning to implement original decor, the issue of color selection can become quite acute, so acrylic will be a good solution.

• When choosing what paint to paint your refrigerator with, don’t forget about restorative compounds. If the walls of the product are touched by rust, then Zinga electrically conductive paint or other materials containing zinc or aluminum granules will help prevent the development of corrosion.

What are we going to paint with?

Each option has both pros and cons:

• longer, and the quality of the surface may be slightly worse.
• On the other hand, using a roller and brushes to fine decor will allow us to do the job more accurately, avoiding paint getting on the floor and walls.
• It is advisable if it is possible to either move the refrigerator to a sufficiently large open space, or to completely protect the environment from contamination. The result of using a spray gun is a thin-layer, uniform coating.
• Nitro paints are also usually applied using a sprayer, but for small areas it can be replaced with an aerosol can.

Note!
Fire-retardant metal paints Polistil and other similar products can also be sprayed.
True, using them to restore a refrigerator cannot be called justified, so it is better to use more suitable compositions.

• If you plan to combine colors, then to separate areas you need to use plastic film and masking tape. You should not use regular adhesive tape: the glue leaves marks on which paint then does not adhere well.

Coloring technique

Preparing the object

Before you repaint your refrigerator, you need to carefully prepare it.

This is done like this:

• We turn off the device and move it to where the painting will be done. Naturally, all food must be removed from the chambers!
• We remove all the fittings, and if this is not provided for by the design, we cover those parts that do not need to be painted, masking tape.
• Carefully wash the surface of the refrigerator using an anti-grease product. After washing, dry the device.

• We clean and sand the rusty areas and the place where the paint peels off from the base. If necessary, we perform leveling with quick-hardening putty.
• We treat the refrigerator with a degreaser.

When the grease-free surface is completely dry, you can begin to paint.

Decorating the refrigerator

Painting instructions include the following points:

• Before starting work, we protect the floor and walls from drops by laying newspapers and polyethylene.
• We stick tape onto the grease-free surface, marking the boundaries between the painted areas.
• Spray paint from a can or spray bottle in an even layer from a distance of about 30 cm. Move the nozzle from top to bottom so that there are no drips.
• If you use a roller, then put a small amount of paint on it and move with vertical strokes.

Advice!
To find out how the paint will apply, we begin processing from the area that will face the wall.

• After processing, dry the paint. The time depends on the composition: from a few minutes for nitro paints to two to three hours for acrylic paints.
• We carefully inspect the painted surfaces. If necessary, we repaint, eliminating all defects.

As for the decor, it can be applied in several ways:

• The most common technology is surface finishing vinyl stickers. They perfectly mask defects and can radically transform the appearance of the entire kitchen.

• You can also write front side refrigerator with acrylic paints. True, to protect the drawing, it will need to be varnished.

Conclusion

Recommendations on how to paint a refrigerator with your own hands should be followed as accurately as possible, otherwise the applied paint will begin to peel off quite quickly and the work will have to be repeated. The video in this article will help you master the restoration technology, so we recommend that you study it carefully before starting painting.

Painting a refrigerator is the easiest and most affordable way improve its appearance with your own hands, mask cracks and other cladding defects. This operation may also be necessary when you need to enter old equipment V new interior after kitchen renovation. If you choose the right paint, the new coating will not only perform a decorative function, but also protect external surfaces device against corrosion.

Paint selection

To obtain a strong and durable coating, you should use moisture-resistant metal paints that are easy to apply in a thin layer.

Paints meet these requirements:

1. 1. Enamel. You can use regular or automotive nitro enamels in cans. The latter are more expensive, but they are convenient to use, and the color range is quite wide: in addition to standard shades, there are silver and gold. They form a durable, mechanically resistant coating with a glossy sheen. A significant drawback is toxicity.
2. 2. Acrylic. Among the advantages: no toxins in the composition, affordable price, big choice colors. However, the application process is more complicated: it is necessary to properly prepare the surface for painting. Acrylic coating inferior in strength to enamel.
3. 3. Epoxy and polyurethane. Two-component compositions have almost the same qualities as enamels, but are more expensive. Another disadvantage is the complex paint application technology.
4. 4. Slate. Water-resistant, forming an impressive black matte finish. You can purchase them at a hardware store or make them yourself. The last option will allow you to save a lot. To make slate paint, you will need to combine 200 ml of acrylic paint with 2 tablespoons of tile grout or putty.

Materials and tools

To paint a refrigerator at home you will also need:

1. 1. A film that can be used to protect floors, walls and other surfaces from paint. You can use old newspapers instead.
2. 2. Roller, brush 3-5 cm wide, paint tray. If the composition is used in cans, then these tools will not be required. To obtain a thin, uniform layer, you can use a spray bottle, but in this case it is necessary to carefully cover all surfaces of the room in which painting will be carried out.
3. 3. Masking tape. Paper adhesive tape is needed to protect the non-removable elements of the device from paint ( rubber seals, pens and more).
4. 4. Respirator, goggles and rubber gloves. During the dyeing process, it is imperative to use protective equipment for the skin of your hands, eyes and respiratory tract. Work should be done in a well-ventilated area.
5. 5. Varnish. If desired, it can be applied to painted surfaces. Depending on what kind of result you want to get, use matte, glossy or with shimmer.

To prepare surfaces for painting you need to take:

• fine-grained sandpaper;
• dishwashing liquid;
• abrasive sponge;
• primer;
• putty and spatula (if there is damage on the refrigerator casing that needs to be repaired);
• rags;
• degreaser.

Surface preparation

Before painting the outside of the refrigerator red, green or any other color, the surfaces must be prepared.

Procedure:

1. 1. The device is disconnected from the network, freed from products, shelves, trays.
2. 2. Clean the external surfaces from grease and dirt using a sponge with dishwashing liquid.
3. 3. Use sandpaper to remove old paint.
4. 4. If there is damage on the outer walls, they are sanded and puttied. Old refrigerators (ZIL, Dnepr) may have traces of rust and need to be cleaned.
5. 5. Wipe the treated surfaces with a damp cloth to remove paint residues, and then wipe dry with a clean rag.
6. 6. After moistening the cloth with alcohol or other degreasing liquid, wipe the outside of the refrigerator.
7. 7. Lay out newspapers or cover the floor and surrounding furniture with film.
8. 8. To make the paint adhere better, prime all surfaces.
9. 9. All parts that cannot be painted are sealed with masking tape.

Once the primer has dried, you can paint a small area to ensure that the color you choose will look exactly as intended.

Painting

The procedure for painting depends on the type of paint and the tools chosen.

If you use automotive nitro enamel or a spray, the process is simplified. When painting with acrylic or slate paints using a brush, you will have to spend a little more time.

Spraying

They begin to apply the composition from the less noticeable side (for example, the one that will be adjacent to the wall or covered by furniture) from top to bottom.

In household appliance stores, modern refrigerators of all sizes and functionality are displayed in orderly rows, but it is not necessary to buy a new unit just because the paint on the old one has peeled off and rust has appeared. In the Soviet Union, household appliances were made to be reliable, and now in many apartments you can still see old refrigerators that work properly, but their appearance leaves much to be desired. But even this technique does not last forever and sometimes requires various attention and repairs. The price for repairing refrigerators will not seem high to you and will be quite affordable for a modest home budget.

There are two ways to solve the update problem: cover the refrigerator with self-adhesive film or paint it. In the first case, you will have to work hard to ensure that the film lays flat on the surface of the refrigerator, without wrinkles or air bubbles, but the paint always lays flat. There are some peculiarities in the process of painting a refrigerator, but with a thoughtful approach to work, all these nuances can be easily resolved.

With painting you can not only update old refrigerator, but also to repaint the new one, because in stores the range of colors for refrigerators is limited, and sometimes the interior of the kitchen requires, for example, a red or even a black refrigerator.

How to paint a refrigerator

First of all, this question concerns paint. For many people, aerosol paint immediately comes to mind, for example, car enamel in cans. Actually it's not the best option.

Usually refrigerators are painted at home, in apartments or, at best, on balconies. In this case, if you use aerosol paint, then the smallest particles of paint will settle on the floor, furniture, walls, etc. Even dust will be saturated with paint, and then settle on the floor, and it can only be removed with a solvent. Cleaning the entire apartment with white spirit is not the best option, so if it is not possible to take the refrigerator out into the open, it is better to use a roller.

Painting with a roller will not give the same uniformity and smoothness of the coating as with an aerosol, but you will have to clean up less. And don’t forget that even a respirator does not prevent paint from getting into your respiratory system when using aerosols, so this method of painting is only suitable for open spaces.

As for the type of paint, it can be:

1. Automotive enamel (although its main property is weather resistance, which is not at all necessary at home)
2. Epoxy paint in aerosol.
3. Some types of acrylic paints.

Refrigerator painting technology

To carry out the work you will need following materials and tools: detergent, foam sponge, masking or regular tape, newspapers or film, paint, roller, clean dry cloths.

• • Wash thoroughly outer surface refrigerator from dirt, dust and grease. After this, it is dried, and at this time the refrigerator is turned off and the contents are removed from it, including shelves and drawers. If possible, it is better to take the refrigerator out into the open air.

• Cover the bottom of the refrigerator and around it with film or newspapers, and if there are other furnishings in the room, it is better to cover them with film as well.
• It is important to ensure good ventilation the room in which the refrigerator will be painted.
• Before starting painting, it is better to check the properties of the paint for small area surface in an inconspicuous place - this must be done to ensure that the paint is chosen correctly.
• It is better to remove all the fittings from the refrigerator, and if this cannot be done, then such places are sealed with masking tape or regular tape and film.
• Then they start the actual painting. If an aerosol is used, then keep it at a distance of 30 cm from the surface of the refrigerator and try to apply the paint evenly from left to right, without staying in one place for long.
• After painting the refrigerator, allow it to dry for 20 minutes, and then apply another coat of paint if necessary.

If the paint is applied with a roller, then it is better to use a narrow tool made of threads.

In my son’s apartment, the kitchen is so small that the refrigerator doesn’t fit in it. I had to put it in the room, and it was literally like an eyesore - it looked very alien. I offered him several ways to paint the refrigerator with my own hands or modify it using other methods.

In the meantime, he’s thinking, I want to tell about them to those who have a similar problem or just want to update old, but still working equipment.

All painting methods

If you need to get a solid, monochromatic surface, then painting the refrigerator yourself is essentially a piece of cake. We pick up a brush, roller or spray can and paint everything. Preparation may take much longer.

It includes the following steps:

1. Grinding. Only necessary for an old refrigerator that has chips, scratches and traces of rust on the surface. If they are not there, we skip this step. If there is one, we take sandpaper or a drill with a sanding attachment in our hands and clean the damaged coating.

1. putty. Deep chips and dents must be filled with putty, otherwise they will be visible under the paint and under any other coating.
2. Degreasing. This is done using solvents or regular detergents.
3. Hardware protection. Everything that is filmed is filmed. We seal the remaining parts that should not get paint on with masking tape.

This the instructions will be relevant for all other methods decorative design refrigerators and other equipment, which I will also talk about. You can watch the video at the end of the article in more detail and more clearly.

But for now let’s talk about how to paint a refrigerator.

Regular painting

It will lie best on the surface and metal paint will stick to it well. It happens in banks and aerosol cans. Choose the one that is more convenient.

• Painting with a brush or roller takes longer and is more difficult- it is difficult to achieve perfect uniformity of application. But you can do this right on the spot.

• Aerosol paint is applied quickly and evenly. But it needs more to work free space. There is a risk of staining the floor and walls, so everything around needs to be covered with film. In addition, sprayed paint can enter the respiratory system. Therefore, it is better to work not at home at all, but in the open air.

Instead of regular paint, you can take slate paint, it also comes in different colors. With its help, you can not only update your old refrigerator, but also turn its walls into convenient writing boards. These could be recipes, grocery lists, or just messages left for your family.

Painting with a simple pattern

If you don’t like the monotonous surface, you can apply multi-colored stripes to the refrigerator and decorate it geometric shapes or ornament. And so that transitions between different colors turned out clear, you need to use masking tape.

It is temporarily glued along pre-marked boundaries, and then carefully removed.

When one color is completely dry, use tape to limit areas of the other color. And so on depending on the number of shades chosen.

Painting in a car service

If you don’t want to repaint the refrigerator at home, you can take it to a body painting shop. This is exactly what my friends did not so long ago.

Advantages of this method:

• No dirt or smell in the apartment;
• Color fastness, since after applying the coating it is dried in special chambers;
• Possibility of applying any design to the surface with an airbrush. Of course, if this service is provided in a workshop.

In large cities there are specialized companies that deal specifically with airbrushing not only on cars, but also on furniture, household appliances and any other things.

And now about other ways of decorating:

Method 1 - painting

Don’t think that painting a refrigerator is only available to those who are very good at drawing. Of course, it will be much easier for such people to decorate it by showing their imagination and coming up with a design that will best match the interior in design and color.

For people without artistic abilities, other ways have been invented to update the refrigerator with their own hands. They are based on the use of stencils. You can take:

1. Ready stencil. It is fixed to the surface with tape, and the space inside the slots is filled with paint.

1. Homemade stencil. Can be found suitable drawing or ornament, print it on a printer and cut it out. And then use it for its intended purpose. If this is a single drawing, use plain paper as the base. If it is repetitive, then it is better to transfer the pattern to transparent plastic. For example, on a plastic office folder.

1. Anti-stencil. The pattern is obtained in the opposite way: paint is sprayed over the stencil. And when it is removed, an unpainted drawing remains in its place.

Tree leaves, lace napkins, flowers cut out of paper, etc. can be used as an anti-stencil.

Method 2 - decoupage

Don't feel like painting? Don't know how to draw? I suggest another original way decor: do-it-yourself refrigerator decoupage. There is hardly any need to explain what it is, but what if someone doesn’t know?

In fact, this is an ordinary paper applique, which is varnished for beauty and reliability. It prevents the picture from getting dirty and peeling off when washing the surface.

The surface can be given a relief, cracks can be created on it to imitate antiquity, and it can be covered with gold. But this is hardly appropriate in our case, because kitchen appliances need to be washed. Therefore, I do not advise you not to split hairs.

Pictures for the refrigerator can be printed on a color printer, cut out from magazines, or drawn by yourself. But more often, decoupage cards or colored multi-layer napkins sold in art stores are used for this purpose. Because the thinner the paper, the more natural the decor looks.

This method can be combined with painting and painting elements. Here, for example, is how to decoupage a refrigerator with napkins:

Image	Description
	Step 1 Cut out the design from the napkin with sharp scissors.
	Step 2 Carefully separate the top layer.
	Step 3 We leave several pictures whole, and cut the rest, removing several berries at a time and changing the size and shape of the bunch. We will also need several separate leaves.
	Step 4 We glue the pictures onto the refrigerator with PVA glue. Apply it with a soft brush directly on top of the picture, smoothing it from the center to the edges.
	Step 5 Using a soft pencil we draw twigs and antennae
	Step 6 Let's take it acrylic paints and paint over the branches brown. We outline the antennae in green.
	Step 7 Apply highlights to the berries using white paint. And wait for the paint to dry.
	Step 8 Covering the entire refrigerator acrylic varnish in two layers and admire the result.

This technique is good because it allows you to mask individual dents and scratches without repainting the entire unit. But if desired, and if the composition requires it, you can first apply a layer of colored paint.

Method 3 - pasting with film

Another way to decorate a refrigerator without using paint is to cover it with vinyl film. It is self-adhesive, so no other Supplies will not need.

The method of pasting depends on the purpose of the alteration. Namely: do you want to completely change the image of a “cold friend” or just embellish it.

Full wrapping

In modern built-in kitchens, the refrigerator often stands out from the orderly row of furniture, sharply differing from it in a different color. Or, as in our case, placed next to the furniture in the living room, it looks alien.

In such cases, film on the refrigerator will help out. It is sold in rolls and pleases with an abundance of colors and patterns.

The assortment includes plain and multi-colored films, as well as with a wide variety of patterns, including those imitating natural materials.

It is not so easy to stick such a coating evenly, without wrinkles, folds and bubbles. Manufacturers recommend doing this by gradually removing the backing from the adhesive layer and smoothing the already glued part with a rubber spatula.

I like the other way better:

1. I completely remove the backing from the cut piece, placing it pattern side down on the table.
2. Then I spray water from a spray bottle on both the film and the surface to be pasted.
3. As a result, the refrigerator film glides easily over the surface while gluing. It can be moved to achieve a given position and easily squeeze out air bubbles.
4. After some time, the water will evaporate and the coating will stick to the walls.

Partial pasting

We remember decoupage and proceed in a similar way, cutting out individual fragments from the film. The only difference is that we don’t need any glue or varnish. Because adhesive layer It’s already on the film, but it itself is not afraid of moisture.

It’s even easier to use stickers. They are sold in many supermarkets and home improvement stores. The price is low, there is an assortment for every taste, and all the design work will take literally a few minutes.

And finally, another option: colored tape. Stick it with parallel stripes, intersecting lines or any pattern, and the refrigerator will be unrecognizable.

Conclusion

The video in this article shows detailed master class on updating the refrigerator with self-adhesive. pay attention to thorough preparation surfaces. It is always necessary, no matter what you choose to decorate your equipment: painting, painting or decoupage.

These methods themselves, as you can see, are quite simple to implement and can be implemented at home. I look forward to your comments and will be happy to answer your questions!

How to make your outdated, yellowed refrigerator white again, bursting with energy and beauty? How to paint an old refrigerator at home yourself? Find answers to these and other questions in our article.

Buying a refrigerator is a joyful event for the whole family. New device able to please for years, but modern manufacturers They produce fairly durable models, and therefore homeowners are often faced with a pressing problem - the refrigerator copes with its responsibilities in a functional sense, but its appearance leaves much to be desired over time.

Also, painting a refrigerator is relevant for those who decide to introduce vintage style into the walls of their kitchen. If you already have a “refrigerator from the past,” then it will be enough to give it a “divine” look to create an atmosphere of authenticity and aesthetics.

What paint to paint the refrigerator?

The process of updating the refrigerator itself is quite simple, but the preparations take most of the time. Most homeowners ask what can be used to paint a refrigerator, what paint should they choose? We answer - polyurethane or epoxy paint is quite suitable. Its composition is quite complex, so the paint is incredibly durable. This is a recognized leader in durability among metal paints.

For work, it is necessary to take the device outside, since epoxy paint has a rather strong and pungent smell. The paint smells like rubber glue, so, as stated in the instructions, it should be used in well-ventilated spaces, after putting a mask on your face.

Stages of preparation for painting a refrigerator

1. The first thing you should do is disconnect the appliance from the power supply, after defrosting the refrigerator if necessary.
2. Remove all food from the unit so that it is not exposed to paint fumes.
3. Clean the refrigerator if necessary - grease usually accumulates on the appliance, especially if it is in close proximity to cooking surfaces or the stove. In a word, the refrigerator must be clean before painting - no grease or other stains, plaque, etc.
4. Move the refrigerator from your living space to the street, porch or patio of a private home, or open all doors and windows, creating a draft if you live in a multi-unit high-rise building.
5. Remember that the paint will only “work” at temperatures not lower than 10 degrees Celsius.

Stages of painting a refrigerator

1. To begin with, you should lightly sand the surface of the old refrigerator - you should stop at the moment when the surface layer becomes matte instead of glossy. Sandpaper is quite suitable for the procedure.
2. After sanding, run a wet cloth over the surface of the unit to remove any sanding dust, and then be sure to dry the refrigerator with a dry cloth.
3. Treat the surface of the refrigerator with a special degreasing solution.
4. Use foam roller for epoxy paint and do not forget to wear a mask on your face, having previously removed all family members away from the work site.

The consistency of epoxy paint is similar to that of regular traditional paint, so there should be no problems with application. Small bubbles may form on the surface, but they tend to smooth out on their own. Hard to reach places It is quite possible to paint over it with a brush. In general, it is not necessary to paint the back panel of the refrigerator - there are many wires there that should not come into contact with the paint, and this side is hardly visible when placing the device in the kitchen. Thus, it is enough to paint three sides of the refrigerator - two sides and the front, as well as the top panel.

It is important to remember that you should first remove all removable parts from the refrigerator - handles, hinged doors, grilles, etc. It is better to paint them separately, this will be more convenient and will prevent the formation of smudges on the surface of the product. If you do not want or cannot remove the fittings, cover them with masking tape while painting, and then carefully apply paint to these elements separately, if desired.

In addition to protecting the fittings, you should also protect the floor next to the place where you are painting. This is important because epoxy paint dries quite quickly and is quite difficult to remove once it dries.