Easy Guide to Painting Washers and Dryers

Learning how to easily paint a washer and dryer can give your laundry room a fresh, new look without the expense of buying new appliances.

This simple DIY project not only revamps the appearance of your laundry appliances but also allows for personalization to fit your home's decor.

With the right tools and techniques, even the most novice DIYer can achieve professional-looking results.

Find out how to transform your laundry room with a new splash of color on your washer and dryer.

Choosing the Right Paint

Metal paints come in both oil-based and water-based formulations and can be applied using spray cans or brushes.

Oil-based paints, while offering more durable results, can be somewhat challenging to handle compared to water-based acrylic paints, which are easier to use but harder to find in spray form for outdoor applications.

Let's take a look at how the two paint types work:

Spray-can Paint

Spray painting is effective for items with intricate details, such as wrought-iron fences or patio furniture, though achieving a smooth finish may require several coats and proper ventilation along with the use of a respirator, especially since most spray paints are oil-based.

Brush-on Paint

For a more refined and lasting finish, brush-on paints are preferable, though they take more time to apply. Both types of brush-on paints, water-based and oil-based, are widely available to suit different metal painting needs.

Setup for Success

To achieve excellent results when painting metal, applying a primer is essential. If the metal has old paint, it needs to be completely removed.

The surface must also be cleaned of any dirt, grease, and debris using tools such as a scuffing pad, sandpaper, or a wire brush. Even if the metal surface is smooth and flawless, roughening it up with sandpaper is necessary to ensure the primer adheres properly.

This process not only prepares the surface but also helps to smooth out any imperfections in the metal.

Important Safety Tips

Safety should always be a priority in DIY projects.

It’s important to wear a dust mask or respirator, gloves, and protective goggles to safeguard against potential hazards.

Ensure the work area is well-ventilated to reduce exposure to paint fumes.

Additionally, use earplugs when operating noisy tools like a wire rotary tool to protect your hearing.

Essential Painting Supplies

Let's find out which tools and materials are required for this project:

Tools

• Earplugs
• Goggles
• Scuffing pads
• Shop rags
• Dust mask or respirator
• Wire brush or drill attachment with a wire brush
• Natural bristle paint brush (optional)

Materials

• Acetone
• Water-based acrylic paint or oil-based paint made for metal
• Rust remover (optional)
• Mineral spirits (optional)

Step-by-Step Painting Guide

Here are the detailed steps to paint a washer and dryer:

Identifying the Metal

• Ferrous Metals: These include cast iron, steel, and wrought iron. They can rust easily.
• Non-Ferrous Metals: These include zinc, copper, aluminum, and stainless steel. They don’t rust as easily and need a different kind of primer.

Preparing the Metal

• Step 1: Clean the Surface: Use a wire brush to scrub off any loose paint or rust. If it's very rusty, you might need a stronger tool like a grill brush attachment.
• Step 2: Treat Deep Rust: If rust is deep, soak the metal in a rust remover and follow the directions on the product.
• Step 3: Wipe Down: Clean the metal with a damp cloth to remove dust and debris, then wipe it with a rag dipped in acetone to remove grease.

Scuffing the Metal

After cleaning, use a scuffing pad to roughen the metal surface. This helps the primer stick better.

Priming the Metal

Apply Primer: Choose a primer suitable for the type of metal. If there's still some rust, use a zinc chromate primer first, then a self-etching primer.

Check Compatibility: Make sure the primer matches the type of paint you'll use (oil-based or water-based).

Painting the Metal

Option 1: Spray Painting

• Step 1: Shake the paint can well.
• Step 2: Hold the can 6 to 12 inches from the metal and spray in long, even strokes. Avoid spraying too much in one spot to prevent drips.
• Step 3: Apply three thin coats, letting each coat dry before adding the next.

Option 2: Brush Painting

• Step 1: Stir the paint well. If it's too thick, thin it with mineral spirits.
• Step 2: Use a high-quality natural bristle brush to apply a thin coat. Oil-based paints smooth out as they dry, so brush strokes won’t be visible.

Drying and Curing

After painting, let the metal dry for 36 to 48 hours in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Final Tips

• For outdoor metal objects, apply two layers of primer to help prevent rust.
• Read all labels to ensure proper application and compatibility of products.

Consulting with Professionals

If your metal items, like a washing machine, have significant rust, it might be best to seek help from a professional painter.

They can assess whether the metal can be saved or restored.

Taking your items to an auto body shop is a good option for professional treatment.

While hiring professionals typically results in a high-quality finish, be prepared that the cost may be higher.