What’s The Best Kind Of Paint To Use On A Refrigerator?

If your refrigerator is looking worn and outdated, you can save money by giving your refrigerator a makeover instead of simply replacing it. If you are thinking about taking on this project and painting your refrigerator, you may be wondering what kind of paint is best to use on a refrigerator. We did the research to bring this answer to you.

Generally, the best kind of paint for a refrigerator is one that is made to be used on metal. There are several types of paint that fall into this category, including: 

• Appliance epoxy
• Spray paint
• Water-based paint
• Latex-based paint
• Oil-based paint

With so many options, it's difficult to determine which one is right for your project. No worries! In this post, we will explain each of these paints to help you decide which one to use. Without further ado, let's get into it!

Best Paints For Refrigerators

Because your refrigerator is most likely metal, you need paint that will stick to metal. The type of paint you ultimately choose will depend on the look you are going for.

Appliance Epoxy

Appliance epoxy is an enamel to be used on any indoor appliances that do not come into contact with heat, including your refrigerator.

This is a great choice if you just want to touch up your refrigerator's surface or keep its look the same. If your refrigerator tends to get rusted, appliance epoxy is a great option because it helps prevent rust.

Appliance epoxy comes in a sprayable or paintable form, and it usually comes in a variety of colors.

Click here to see this appliance epoxy on Amazon.

Spray Paint

You can use any spray paint for your refrigerator as long as it is made to be used on metals. Spray paint is a popular choice because it comes in a variety of colors and it is easy to apply.

Be sure that you empty your refrigerator completely and paint it in a well-ventilated place to avoid contaminating any food with paint fumes.

Click here to see this spray paint for metal on Amazon.

Water-Based Paint

Some advantages of using water-based paint for metals are that it dries fast and has less fumes. If you'd like to use a water-based paint, choose a water-based acrylic. Water-based acrylics are ideal for kitchen spaces because they are more likely to resist mold and mildew.

You can apply water-based paint using a brush or roller. Like with the epoxy and spray paint options, you can use a primer for a smoother application and crisper finish.

Click here to see this water-based paint for metals on Amazon.

Latex-Based Paint

Like water-based paint, latex-based paint is easy to use and has minimal fumes. However, it will not yield a professional finish like some of the other options. If you choose latex paint, be sure to paint as cleanly as possible because latex is less forgiving than water-based paint.

Click here to see this latex-based paint on Amazon.

Oil-Based Paint

Oil-based paint is ideal for a refrigerator because of its durability. While a primer can make the end result look smoother, it is not always necessary to use one with oil-based paint. Because of this, oil-based paint is a good option if you are looking to save time or money on your project.

Like latex-based paint, oil-based paint is unforgiving. Be careful not to drip paint onto your refrigerator or paint in haphazard lines. The time you save using oil-based paint will be wasted if you have to go back and fix your mistakes!

How Do You Paint The Outside Of A Refrigerator?

Painting the outside of a refrigerator is a pretty simple DIY project. Follow these steps:

1. Unplug The Refrigerator

Before you begin, make sure your refrigerator is unplugged and brought to the area where you will be painting the refrigerator. Whether you do this before prepping your refrigerator or after, it must be done before you begin painting.

2. Remove The Hardware

Remove the ice maker panel, handles, and any other external parts. You can leave these parts as is or update them. Replacing them or painting them to coordinate with the refrigerator are popular ways to do so.

3. Clean The Refrigerator

Clean the entire surface of your refrigerator, making sure to get all of the dirt and debris off. You can use soap and water or a mild detergent along with a cloth or scrubber. The goal of this stage is to leave your refrigerator's surface clean.

4. Sand The Refrigerator's Surface

Use sandpaper to scrub away any stuck-on rust or dirt to ensure a smooth, clean surface when painting. Make sure to sand away the whole surface, not just where there is dirt, so that there is no longer a shiny, smooth surface. This helps the paint adhere to the refrigerator.

5. Prime And Prep

Before you begin painting, you can apply any treatments you'd like to your refrigerator. For example, you may choose to apply a primer to get a smoother, brighter color when you paint. Or, you can apply a protectant if rust is an issue for your refrigerator.

6. Paint

Now it's time to paint your refrigerator. Follow the paint's instructions to find out how many coats are recommended.

Can You Spray Paint The Outside Of The Refrigerator?

Yes. In fact, many of the paints created for refrigerators and other appliances come in spray paint form. If spray paint isn't your preferred medium, you purchase paint in a can and use a roller or brush to apply it.

Can I Paint Over The Rust On My Fridge?

Painting over your rusty fridge differs only slightly from painting a fridge without rust, and there are two ways to do so.

Use Sandpaper

After cleaning your refrigerator, use sandpaper to smooth the fridge's surface. Sanding will remove loose rust and create an optimal surface for the paint to stick. Be sure to clean your fridge after sanding as well to remove dust.

Use Specialty Paint

You can also use paint specifically for painting over rusty appliances. If you choose this method, you will not have to sand your fridge, though it is good practice to do so anyway. You may also choose to use a primer to prevent rust from coming through the new paint's surface.

Click here to see this rust primer on Amazon.

Click here to see this rust paint on Amazon.

How To Paint A Refrigerator With Chalk Paint

The only difference between painting a refrigerator with regular paint and painting one with chalk paint is in the prime and prep stage. Using a primer and applying the correct amount of coats is more necessary with chalk paint so that the chalk paint works as it should.

Magnetic Primer

When using chalk paint to turn your refrigerator into a giant chalkboard, you have the option of applying a magnetic primer instead of a normal primer. The magnetic primer restores your refrigerator's magnetic properties so that you can put magnets on your fridge.

While you can use a magnetic primer before applying any type of paint, it is especially fun to use it for your chalkboard fridge.

Click here to see this magnetic primer on Amazon.

In Closing

Painting your refrigerator is a cheap and easy way to give new life to your refrigerator and update its look. In order to ensure that your refrigerator looks its best, though, you must use the correct paint for the job.

Spray paint and appliance epoxy are the most popular paints to use on a refrigerator, but you are not limited to these two options. Water-based, latex-based, or oil-based paints can also be used. The only rule you must follow when choosing your paint is making sure that the paint can be applied to metal.

Your skill level, the look you are trying to achieve, and the color you want your refrigerator to be will play a big role in which type of paint will work best for you. To make your kitchen extra fun, be sure to experiment with chalk paint and magnetic primers!

Why stop at updating your refrigerator? Take a look at these articles for kitchen makeover inspiration:

21 Best Wallpaper Ideas For Kitchen Walls

Curtains VS Blinds For Kitchen Windows – Which To Choose?

How To Arrange Appliances On A Kitchen Counter