Microwave interiors can be painted with any paint that endures high temperatures or is labeled “microwave safe.” Spray-on, brush-on, touch-up kits, heat-resistant, non-toxic, or appliance paint are all okay as long as they are labeled safe. To avoid risk, don’t use acrylic or peel-off paints.
To ensure you don’t contaminate any food or cause a fire, there are some components to should keep in mind. Written below are all the key factors you should know before you pick out your paint and touch up your kitchen gadget.
Microwave-Safe Paints
It is safe to paint the inside of your microwave, it just has to be a microwave-safe product. One of the biggest indicators to know the paint is okay to use is how much heat it can withstand. If it melts or peels off, it can lead to the microwave exploding, minor sparking, or even a fire. Let’s start off with a list of paints that are usable for the job.
High-Heat Paint
High-heat paints are perfect and will be your best option since they can resist microwaves. Your paint should be able to withstand up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s not capable of this, it might contaminate food. Every type of paint you get must be high-heat paint.
Usually, enamel paints can handle high heat. One product to consider is Rust-Oleum High-Heat Paint, which does a good job of going on smooth and drying up to withstand heat.
Appliance Paint
Appliance paint is another great choice. You can safely repaint your microwave with this type of product, as it’s designed for household items like microwaves and refrigerators.
This is because appliance paint has enamel in it, making it almost always microwave-safe. Just be sure to check for the microwave-safe label before using it to paint your microwave.
Spray on Paint
Spray-on paint is very popular among homemakers because it’s easy to use and convenient. It’s best to use this type of paint for big and largely spread-out rust repair.
As long as it says it’s microwave safe and designed to repair the microwave internal cavity, you can use spray-on paint on your microwave. Just make sure there is no rust where you are painting.
Brush on Paint
There are plenty of brush-on paints available for this task. This type of paint is great for small rust repairs and even comes in miniature bottles. Once again, double-check that the bottle says it’s microwave safe, then you’re in the clear.
Touch-Up Kits/Sheets
Every microwave has a shiny waveguide cover inside. Sheets can be used to replace the cover and are highly heat-resistant because they’re made of silicone resin mica paper.
As for touch-up kits, these come with brushes, sandpaper, stirrers, and everything else you might need. All of these tools are in a box, which makes it easy to execute a quick touch-up.
Non-Toxic Paint
Most regular paints have chemicals that are toxic. Before you purchase and use, make sure to look at the ingredients of the paint. Check the side of the container to be certain it’s non-toxic. Using paint that’s toxic will contaminate your food and drinks, potentially causing you to get sick.
Paints to Avoid
You should steer clear of any products that are microwave-sensitive. Each paint package will provide all the information you need to see in order to know whether or not it’s safe. You should also stay away from metallic items. Using this would react slowly with the microwave, which leads to sparking.
Peeling Paint
Peeling paint should never be used to paint your microwave. The reason for this is that the paint inside a microwave acts as a protective layer for the metal interior. Metal is not microwave safe, and this paint peels/flakes off, which then makes the metal walls vulnerable to microwaves.
Unless you want to take the high risk of mini lightning bolts inside the microwave, food contamination, or creating a fire hazard, don’t even consider using peeling paint.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint isn’t safe for microwaves because it can only withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. If you cook food, it will only respond positively for a few seconds. However, you can microwave acrylic paint, it’s just not okay to paint the inside of one with this type of paint.
Where to Buy Microwave Safe Paint
You can easily find microwave-safe paint at almost any appliance or hardware store. Depending on your microwave, the best route is to confide in a professional before purchasing the paint you need.
It also never hurts to talk with the manufacturer to make sure it’s completely safe to use.
How to Safely Paint the Inside of Your Microwave
Just like picking out the right paint, there’s a specific process to follow in order to correctly make your touch-ups.
- Unplug the Microwave: It’s crucial that you paint the interior of your microwave while it is unplugged. If it’s left on while you’re painting it or it gets used before the paint is dry, it might get damaged and stop working.
- Clean and disinfect the microwave: Clean the inside of your microwave so it’s free of debris, dirt, and grease. After it’s clean, use sandpaper to get any rust off the surface, then wipe it down again with a wet cloth or paper towel.
- Paint it according to the instructions: Once your microwave is all clean and dry with a smooth interior surface, you can start to paint. In this step, it’s vital you follow the manufacturer’s instructions because different products entail their own application steps. It’s important to properly paint the inside of your microwave.
- Allow the paint to dry: After you’ve finished painting, be aware of how dry it is. You must wait until it’s completely dry to use the microwave. For those who are thinking of adding multiple coats of paint, make sure each coat is dry before you do so.
FAQs
Microwave ovens are coated with a special type of paint that contains a mix of materials such as silicone resins, epoxy, and ceramic powders. This paint is designed to withstand the high heat and steam produced during the cooking process.
It is not safe to use a microwave with chipped or peeling paint inside, as it can lead to arcing or sparking, which can be a fire hazard. It is important to have the interior of the microwave oven repainted or replaced by a professional.
Inspect the interior of the microwave for any signs of peeling, bubbling, or chipping paint. Additionally, if the metal underneath the paint is visible, this indicates deterioration of the paint.
It is not recommended to repaint the inside of a microwave oven yourself. It is best to have a professional appliance repair technician handle repainting or replacing the interior of the microwave.
The paint inside a microwave oven is designed to last for the lifetime of the appliance under normal use. However, factors such as frequent overheating or food spills can affect the longevity of the paint.
To maintain the integrity of the paint inside a microwave oven, it is important to avoid using abrasive cleaners or scratching the interior surface. Additionally, make sure to clean up any food or liquid spills promptly to prevent damage to the paint.
Conclusion
In conclusion, knowing what paint is used inside a microwave oven can give you peace of mind when it comes to safety and maintenance. Remember, it’s important to only use microwave-safe paint if you ever need to touch up the interior of your microwave. With a little knowledge and the right tools, you can keep your microwave looking and working like new for years to come. Happy cooking!
