Guide On How To Repaint A Kitchenaid Mixer Like a Pro

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Guide On How To Repaint A Kitchenaid Mixer Like a Pro

So, you want to give your trusty Kitchenaid mixer a fresh look? Can you repaint a Kitchenaid mixer? Yes, absolutely! It’s a popular Kitchenaid mixer restoration project. What kind of paint do you need? You need tough paint made for metal and appliances. This guide will show you how to make your old mixer look new again with a professional finish.

Your Kitchenaid mixer works hard. Maybe it’s old and chipped. Maybe you just want a new color. Giving it a new coat of paint can make it look great and fit your kitchen better. This job takes time and care, but you can do it.

Getting Ready

Before you start, you need tools and stuff. Getting everything ready first makes the job easier and safer.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

Here is a list of things you should have.

• Screwdrivers (Philips and flathead)
• Wrenches or sockets (maybe)
• Plastic bags or containers (for screws and small parts)
• Masking tape
• Plastic wrap or old newspapers
• Safety glasses
• Work gloves (like nitrile gloves)
• Dust mask or respirator (very important for sanding and painting)
• Wire brush or steel wool
• Sandpaper (different grits: 120, 220, 320, 400, 600 grit)
• Paint stripper (if needed)
• Scrapers (plastic and metal)
• Degreaser or strong cleaner (like Simple Green or TSP)
• Clean rags or microfiber cloths
• Tack cloth
• Appliance primer for metal (spray or brush-on)
• Best paint for Kitchenaid mixer (spray or brush-on enamel for appliances/metal)
• Clear coat for painted appliance (spray or brush-on enamel or urethane)
• Paint mixing sticks (if not using spray)
• Paint trays or cups (if not using spray)
• Small brushes (for detail work)
• A well-aired work area (outside is best)
• Drop cloths or old sheets

Item	Purpose	Notes
Safety Glasses	Protect your eyes	Always wear them!
Gloves	Keep hands clean, protect from chemicals	Use chemical-safe gloves for stripper
Dust Mask/Respirator	Protect your lungs	Essential for sanding and spraying
Screwdrivers/Wrenches	Taking the mixer apart	Get the right sizes
Plastic Bags/Containers	Holding screws and parts	Label them!
Masking Tape	Covering parts you don’t paint	Use good quality tape
Drop Cloths	Protecting your work area	Cover floor and surfaces
Sandpaper	Making the surface smooth	Use different grits from rough to fine
Paint Stripper	Removing old paint (optional)	Follow safety rules for this
Cleaner/Degreaser	Cleaning the mixer	Get rid of grease and dirt
Tack Cloth	Picking up dust before painting	Don’t skip this step
Appliance Primer	Helps paint stick, prevents rust	Use one made for metal/appliances
Metal/Appliance Paint	The new color	Pick a durable paint for kitchen appliances
Clear Coat	Protects the paint, adds shine	Makes paint last longer

Grasping the Scope

Think about how much work this is. You will take the mixer apart. You will clean it very well. You might take off old paint. You will sand it smooth. You will put on primer. You will paint it the new color. You will put on a clear coat. Then you will put it all back together. It takes patience. But the result is a mixer that looks new.

The Process Begins: Taking it Apart

The first big step is taking your mixer apart. This lets you clean and paint each part right. It helps you paint areas that are hard to reach when it’s together. Knowing How to disassemble Kitchenaid mixer is key.

Finding the Screws

Kitchenaid mixers have different models. How you take one apart might be slightly different from another. Look for screws on the body. They are often on the back, under the base, or under the trim bands.

Removing Trim Bands

Some mixers have metal bands around them. You might need to gently pry these off. Be careful not to bend them. They can be sharp.

Taking Off the Head

The top part (the head where the beater goes) is the main body. You will likely need to take off covers to find screws. There are often screws under the cover where the attachments go. There might be screws near the neck where the head connects to the stand. Keep all screws in labeled bags. For example, “Screws from back cover”. This helps when you put it back together.

Separating the Base and Body

Sometimes the base comes off. Look for screws under the base.

What to Leave On

Do not take apart the motor inside the head. That is complex and not needed for painting the outside. Do not try to take apart the speed control or electrical parts. You are only painting the outside metal shell. Cover these parts well with tape and plastic later.

Keeping Parts Safe

As you take screws and parts off, put them right into labeled bags. This is super important. A small bag for screws from the back. A bag for trim pieces. A bag for screws from the head. This makes putting it back together much, much easier. Take pictures with your phone as you go. Pictures help you remember where parts and screws belong.

Preparing the Surface

This is the most important part for a good paint job. The paint will only look as good as the surface under it. This takes the most time and effort.

Cleaning the Mixer

First, clean the mixer very well. Use a good degreaser or strong cleaner. KitchenAid mixers get grease and flour everywhere. You need to get rid of all of it. Wipe it down many times. Use an old toothbrush to get into tight spots. Rinse it well. Let it dry completely.

Removing Paint from Stand Mixer (If Needed)

Do you need to remove all the old paint? Maybe. If the old paint is chipped badly, peeling, or has deep scratches, removing it might be best. If the old paint is in good shape, you can often just sand it smooth.

• Using Paint Stripper: This is a fast way to remove paint. Wear heavy gloves, safety glasses, and work in a place with lots of fresh air. Brush the stripper onto the old paint. Let it sit for the time the can says. The paint will bubble up. Scrape the bubbly paint off with a metal or plastic scraper. Be careful not to scratch the metal body. You might need to do this a few times. Clean off all stripper with water or a cleaner the stripper can tells you to use. Let it dry completely.
• Sanding Off Paint: You can sand off old paint. Start with rough sandpaper (like 120 grit). Sand until the old paint is gone or very thin. This takes more time and effort than stripper.

Sanding Mixer Before Repainting

Whether you strip the paint or not, you must sand the surface. Sanding makes the surface smooth. It also gives the new primer something to stick to.

• If you stripped the paint: You sanded off most of the old paint. Now, sand the bare metal. Start with 220 grit sandpaper. Sand all the surfaces you will paint. Make it smooth. Then go to 320 grit. Sand again. Finish with 400 grit or even 600 grit for a very smooth feel.
• If you are painting over old paint: If the old paint is smooth and not chipped, sand it. Start with 220 grit. Sand the shiny surface until it looks dull all over. This is called “scuffing” the surface. This helps the new paint stick. Then sand with 320 grit. Finish with 400 grit. The surface should feel very smooth.

Making it Super Clean

After sanding, there will be lots of dust. You need to get rid of every bit of dust. Use a clean cloth to wipe off most of the dust. Then use compressed air if you have it to blow dust out of corners. The last step is using a tack cloth. A tack cloth is a sticky cloth that picks up fine dust. Gently wipe all surfaces with the tack cloth right before you prime. Any dust left will show in your paint.

Masking Off Parts

Now, cover anything you do not want paint on. This includes the motor inside the head, cords, switches, the metal shaft where the beater goes, and any labels or parts you did not remove. Use good quality masking tape. Press the edges down firmly so paint does not get under the tape. Use plastic wrap or newspaper to cover larger areas like the cord or the hole where the motor is.

Applying the Primer

Primer is like a base coat. It helps the paint stick better. It makes the color look better. It protects the metal from rust. You need an Appliance primer for metal.

Choosing Your Primer

You can use spray primer or brush-on primer. Spray primer gives a smoother finish if you are careful. Make sure the primer says it works on metal and is good for appliances. This means it will be tough.

Priming Technique

Work in a clean, well-aired space. Put down drop cloths. Hold the spray can about 8-12 inches away from the mixer parts. Use light, even coats. Do not try to cover everything in one thick coat. Many thin coats are better than one thick one. Thick coats can run and look bad.

Start spraying off the piece, move across the piece in a smooth line, and stop spraying after you pass the edge. Overlap each pass slightly. Let the first coat dry as long as the can says. This is usually 15-30 minutes for spray primer.

Apply a second light coat. You might need a third coat. The goal is an even gray or white surface (depending on your primer color) with no see-through spots. Let the primer dry completely. Check the can for the wait time before sanding or painting. It could be a few hours or even 24 hours. Waiting longer is often better.

Sanding the Primer

Once the primer is totally dry and hard, you should sand it lightly. Use fine sandpaper, like 400 grit or 600 grit. This sands down any small bumps or dust that landed on the primer. It makes the surface super smooth for the paint. Sand gently. Do not sand through the primer to the metal. After sanding, clean off all dust with a tack cloth again.

Painting the Mixer

Now for the fun part: adding the color! Choosing Custom Kitchenaid mixer colors lets you make it truly yours.

Choosing Your Paint

You need a Durable paint for kitchen appliances. Enamel paints are a good choice. They are hard and can handle cleaning and some bumps. Spray paint is popular for a smooth finish. Make sure it is for metal. Brands like Rust-Oleum Appliance Epoxy or other tough metal enamels work well.

Spray Painting Kitchenaid Mixer

Spraying gives the best smooth finish, like from the factory. Again, work in a clean, well-aired space. Wear your respirator. Put down drop cloths.

Shake the paint can very well. Hold the can 8-12 inches away. Use light, even coats. Just like with primer, many thin coats are better. Do not rush. Let each coat dry according to the can’s directions before adding the next. This might be 30 minutes to an hour.

Apply 2-4 thin coats of color. Make sure you get into all the curves and angles. Turn the pieces to get good coverage. Let the final color coat dry for at least 24 hours, or even longer if the can suggests it, before adding the clear coat.

Using Brush-On Paint

You can use brush-on paint too, but it is harder to get a perfectly smooth finish without brush marks. Use a good quality brush made for enamel paint. Apply thin coats. Try to brush in one direction. Let each coat dry fully before the next. You might need more coats than with spray paint.

Adding Protection: The Clear Coat

A clear coat is like a shield for your paint. It makes the paint tougher. It protects it from scratches and chips. It also gives it a nice shine or a matte look, depending on the clear coat you choose. You need a Clear coat for painted appliance.

Choosing Your Clear Coat

Use a clear enamel or urethane clear coat made for metal or appliances. Spray clear coat is easiest and gives a smooth finish. You can choose glossy, satin, or matte finish.

Applying Clear Coat

Make sure the color coat is completely dry. Check the paint can for the right wait time before clear coating. It might be 24 hours or more.

Like painting, use light, even spray coats. Hold the can 8-12 inches away. Apply 2-3 thin coats. Let each coat dry for the time on the can before the next coat. Do not apply it too thick, or it can run or look cloudy.

Letting it Cure

This is a very important step! Paint and clear coat need time to become truly hard and durable. This is called curing. Drying is when it feels dry to the touch. Curing is when the paint becomes its strongest. For appliance paints and clear coats, curing can take several days, or even a week or two.

Do not use the mixer hard or put heavy things on the painted parts during the curing time. Let the parts sit in a clean, safe place. The longer you let it cure, the tougher the finish will be.

Putting It All Back Together

Your painted parts are dry and cured (or mostly cured). Now you put your mixer back together. This is where those labeled bags of screws and your pictures are a big help.

Reassembling the Body

Start putting the main body pieces back together. Screw parts back on in the reverse order you took them off. Be careful not to scratch your new paint. You might want to put a soft cloth under the parts as you work.

Attaching Trim and Details

Put the trim bands back on carefully. Pop them into place or screw them on gently. Reattach any other parts you removed.

Putting the Head Back On

Carefully put the head back onto the stand. Put in the screws that hold it. Do not overtighten screws. Just make them snug. Overtightening can damage the paint or the mixer body.

Double Check

Go back and make sure all screws are in the right place. Check that everything is together correctly.

Final Touches and Care

Your Kitchenaid mixer restoration project is almost done!

Waiting for Full Cure

Even if you waited a week, the paint might get a little harder over the next few weeks. Be gentle with your mixer at first.

Cleaning Your Repainted Mixer

Clean your repainted mixer with mild soap and water. Do not use harsh cleaners or abrasive scrubbers. These can scratch or damage the new paint and clear coat. Gently wipe it clean.

Interpreting Potential Issues

Things can sometimes go wrong when painting. Here are a few common issues and what they mean.

Runs or Sags

This happens if you put the paint on too thick in one spot. The paint runs down.
* Fix: If wet, wipe it off carefully and respray the area lightly. If dry, you will need to sand the run smooth once it’s hard. Then reprime and repaint that area.

Orange Peel Texture

The paint looks bumpy, like the skin of an orange. This can happen if the paint is too thick, you spray too far away, or the temperature is not right.
* Fix: You can try sanding it smooth once dry (starting with maybe 600 or 800 grit) and then polishing it. Or, sand it smooth, reprime, and repaint with thinner coats or better technique.

Fish Eyes

Small circles where the paint did not stick. This is usually caused by silicone or grease on the surface before painting.
* Fix: You have to sand the area down to bare metal or primer, clean it perfectly with a wax and grease remover, reprime, and repaint.

Paint Not Sticking

The paint peels or scratches off easily. This means the surface was not prepped right. It was not clean enough, or not sanded enough, or the wrong primer was used.
* Fix: You need to strip off the bad paint, clean and sand the surface much better, use the right primer, and then repaint. This is why good prep is so important!

Fathoming the Benefits of a DIY Repaint

Why go through all this work?

• Save Money: Buying a new Kitchenaid mixer is expensive. Repainting an old one is much cheaper.
• Custom Look: You can pick any color you want! Get Custom Kitchenaid mixer colors to match your kitchen, your style, or just something fun.
• Restoration: You are bringing an old, worn-out mixer back to life. This is a great Kitchenaid mixer restoration project. It feels good to make something old look new.
• Durable Finish: If you use a Durable paint for kitchen appliances and a good clear coat, your mixer can look great and last for many more years.

Wrapping Up

Repainting a Kitchenaid mixer takes work, patience, and attention to detail. But following these steps, from figuring out How to disassemble Kitchenaid mixer to Sanding mixer before repainting, using the right Appliance primer for metal, Best paint for Kitchenaid mixer for Spray painting Kitchenaid mixer, applying a Clear coat for painted appliance, and possibly Removing paint from stand mixer, you can achieve a beautiful, durable finish. Your custom color mixer will be a star in your kitchen. Take your time, be safe, and enjoy the process of making something old new again.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the whole process take?

It takes several days, mostly because of waiting for paint and primer to dry and cure between steps. Taking apart might be an hour or two. Prep (cleaning, sanding) could be several hours. Priming and painting with drying time might take 2-3 days. Curing takes at least a week before you use it hard. So, plan for at least a week from start to finish.

Is spray paint or brush paint better?

Spray paint is usually better for getting a smooth, factory-like finish on a mixer’s curved shape. It avoids brush marks. But you need a well-aired space and good spray technique. Brush-on paint can work, but getting it smooth is harder.

Can I paint just part of the mixer?

Yes, but it is hard to get a clean line where the old paint meets the new. It’s usually best to paint the whole body for the best look. If you just want to fix a small chip, you can try touch-up paint, but it might not blend perfectly.

What if I mess up a coat of paint?

If the paint is still wet, you can sometimes wipe it off with paint thinner (check the paint can first) and try again after cleaning and drying. If it is dry, you will need to sand down the messed-up area very smooth, maybe re-prime the spot, and then repaint the area carefully, blending it in.

How much paint and primer will I need?

For a standard Kitchenaid stand mixer, one can of spray primer, one can of color paint, and one can of clear coat are usually enough if you are applying thin coats. If you are using brush-on, small cans of each should be plenty.

What is the Best paint for Kitchenaid mixer?

Look for enamel paints made for metal and appliances. These are designed to be tough and resist chips and scratches in a kitchen setting. Rust-Oleum Appliance Epoxy is a popular choice.

Do I really need a clear coat?

A clear coat is highly recommended. It adds an extra layer of protection, makes the paint more durable, and can add a nice finish (glossy, satin, etc.). It makes your hard work last longer.