Tips on how to Paint a Fridge in 6 Straightforward Steps | Architectural Digest
Prep the floor
Earlier than you begin, take away the model emblem. Hom says that these badges sometimes come off by wedging a putty knife below the symbol. For a cussed adhesive, do that trick: With a hairdryer, heat up and soften the adhesive, then use dental floss to slice by and separate. Now, it’s time to take away door handles—these sometimes unscrew simply. For those who select to maintain them on, however paint in a distinct coloration than the physique of the fridge, use painter’s tape to take care of crisp traces. Tape can also be useful in working across the ice maker and the rubber seal on fridge doorways.
Subsequent, clear the floor. Dip a microfiber material in sizzling water to take away the primary layer of grime. Apply a skinny paste of baking soda and Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner on cussed spots. Wipe down. Scruff-sand the corners and edges with 120 grit sandpaper to assist with primer adhesion. “Most easy surfaces will take paint if you happen to tough it up first,” Hom says. She recommends sporting a masks to keep away from inhaling mud. Wipe away any particles and remaining cleansing answer with water, then polish the fridge with a clear, dry microfiber material.
To prime or to not prime?
Relying in your paint selection, you might not have to prime. Wlasichuk opts for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint because it requires minimal prep (no primer), works equally nicely on completely different surfaces like plastics and steel, and dries shortly. For her vinyl, veiny-textured white fridge, Hom used Zinsser Final Stain Blocker primer. A stainless-steel fridge will profit from a coat of Farrow & Ball Metallic Primer & Undercoat. Apply two coats with a four-inch foam curler and one-inch angle brush (in tight areas).
Paint patiently
Given {that a} fridge is formed like a field, precise paint software is pretty easy. For a fridge exterior with a veiny floor, apply two coats with a foam curler, touching up with the angle brush, to make the feel much less pronounced. “Don’t glob on an excessive amount of, or it would look too chunky,” Hom warns. In case your fridge is dinged up a bit, an eyeshadow brush helps get within the little nicks, Yates suggests. When portray the within panels of the doorways, maintain it open, avoiding the sealers. A hairdryer can velocity up the method.
If, like Wlasichuk, you’re utilizing chalk paint, embrace the imperfections. “Chalk paint just isn’t self-leveling,” she says. “You may construct up texture or, if you happen to’re after a easy, trendy end, you possibly can water it down barely earlier than portray or sand out any brush marks with a really high-quality grade sandpaper between coats.”
Don’t overlook the small print
Your ice field doesn’t should appear like a boring field. To echo the brass handles that glam up the lilac fridge, in addition to the leopard upholstery on the kitchen chairs, Yates added her signature wildcat print to the ice dispenser, lining it with contact paper. Wlasichuk added character to her fridge with a fish motif lino print in white-and-black on the aspect of the fridge. After designating the reduction spot with painters tape, she utilized two coats of white, then stenciled on the reduction in black. She eliminated the tape whereas the black paint was nonetheless damp to keep away from cracking.
