Over time, the oven enamel becomes deformed, so it becomes necessary to restore the heat chamber. Few people know how to paint the inside of a microwave; first of all, this has to do with the choice of paint material. The paint used must not contain toxic substances. It is extremely important that it is resistant to high temperatures.
The conditions inside the furnace are extremely specific. Electromagnetic waves constantly increase the amplitude of vibrations of water molecules. Dynamic temperature changes lead to cracks and scratches appearing on the inner coating.
Causes of coating deformation
Fat and food debris accumulate on the walls of the heat chamber, so the surface must be washed regularly. Using a hard brush and abrasive detergents will lead to deformation. What to do if chips appear inside the microwave or the enamel is cracked? It is necessary to immediately begin restoring the coating material.
Damage to the integrity of the enamel is a catalyst for worsening the problem. Scratches and other damage will contribute to corrosion and rust. It is possible that other defects will appear. Their specificity largely depends on what material the walls of the heat chamber are made of. Microwave paint is the optimal solution to the problem.
Why throw it away when you can repaint it?
If you don’t believe me, you shouldn’t! The main thing is to choose the right paint suitable for working with food equipment. Why pay more when buying a new unit when you can upgrade an old but good microwave.
A microwave is one of the most popular kitchen appliances, which allows you to quickly heat, defrost and cook food. The most important quality of this device is its speed.
Intensive use of a microwave oven leads to noticeable wear and damage to the internal enamel. The result of restoring the inner layer of a microwave oven is determined by the different coating.
Is it possible to use a microwave with damaged enamel?
When the paint inside the microwave peels off and peels, the owners do not refuse to use it. The walls of the heat chamber are covered with enamel to protect food heated in the oven from electromagnetic radiation. To restore the original level of protection, you need to paint the inside of the microwave.
Electromagnetic waves will not penetrate into the heat chamber through minor cracks. However, the microwave will still have to be repaired. Gradually the number of damaged areas will increase. Is it possible to use a microwave if the enamel has peeled off? Theoretically, yes, but as the deformation increases, the furnace will have to be restored or disposed of. Is peeling enamel in the microwave harmful to humans? The remains of the material themselves do not pose a threat to the body, but microwaves penetrate through the cracks, which negatively affect the heated products.
Factor two - the volume of the working chamber
To make your choice correctly, you must take into account the technical characteristics of the microwave. The most important parameter here is the internal volume of the chamber. The recommendations here are as follows:
- If the equipment is used by one person, then the volume can be in the range of 12-14 liters. Such stoves are also called “solo”;
- For two family members, 17-20 liters of volume will be enough;
- For a family of 3-4 people, 20-25 liters will be enough. Perhaps microwave oven models with this volume can be called optimal in terms of price, functionality and capacity;
- Those who cook often and a lot should buy a model with a volume of more than 30 liters, then even a whole bird will fit inside. The same recommendations apply if there are 5-6 people in the family.
Types of coating
Peeling heat chamber enamel is not yet a reason to throw away your microwave oven. It is possible to restore household appliances. It is necessary to coat the inside of the microwave with special paint. Painting the inside of a microwave makes it possible to increase the service life of the device by several years. The causes and specifics of deformation are determined by the type of coating.
Features of ceramic surface:
- maximum hardness, but high risk of scratches;
- Due to mechanical stress, chips and cracks also appear;
- smooth surface prevents the accumulation of fats;
- Easy to clean; a foam sponge and soap solution will be enough for cleaning.
Advantages and disadvantages of stainless steel:
- strength, reliability, resistance to temperature fluctuations;
- It is extremely difficult to remove grease contamination;
- It is prohibited to use abrasive cleaning products;
- cleaning is carried out with steam or special cleaning liquids for microwave ovens.
Everything you need to know about enamel coating:
- food enamel has a limited service life;
- used primarily in budget microwave ovens;
- no pores, smooth, easy to care for, grease and dirt are easily removed;
- deformed due to regular use;
- bubbles appear, total destruction occurs;
- the enamel falls off in pieces, rust appears;
- the material peels off on the bottom and ceiling, this is due to increased exposure to hot steam;
- the structure of the material is damaged under the influence of steam, high temperature, and detergents.
What to do if you don’t paint the inside of the microwave in a timely manner? During operation, the stove will crack and spark. Ignoring the problem will lead to complete failure of the equipment.
How to paint a microwave and is it possible to do it in principle? Only the enamel surfaces of the heat chamber can be opened with paint and varnish material. In other cases, the equipment should be disposed of.
Remember
- Clean the microwave carefully . To prevent scratches from appearing inside and the coating from deteriorating, use soft sponges when cleaning.
- Wash the interior regularly . To prevent residual fat from damaging the enamel, remove it after heating or cooking.
- Choose quality paint . The composition should not contain chemicals and should be resistant to moisture and temperature changes.
- Paint it correctly. First wash the internal surfaces, then degrease them, and only then start painting. It is better to apply the paint in several layers so that there are no unpainted areas left.
What paint can you use to paint a microwave?
Not any paint coating is suitable for painting a heat chamber. Few people know what paint can be used to paint a microwave. This negative trend is due to a lack of information. The paint you choose must meet the following requirements:
- 100% match to original color;
- resistance to abnormally high temperatures;
- absence of toxic compounds.
Mostly, microwave oven owners who discover that the heat chamber is deformed throw away the household appliance and purchase a new one. If you want to save money, but are unsure how to paint your microwave oven, then you need to familiarize yourself with the criteria for choosing a paint material.
Food grade or organic
The optimal paint brands for microwave ovens are KO-5102 and BEP-5297. Food-grade paints and varnishes have only one significant drawback - overpriced. There are many more advantages:
- organic brands cope well with abnormal temperature conditions;
- resistance to high humidity;
- absence of toxic compounds;
- corrosion prevention;
- water resistance.
The layers of organic paint inside will last quite a long time. Organic paints and varnishes are approved by the Ministry of Health, therefore they are mainly used in the food industry. They have excellent adhesion to various surfaces. The coating must be applied with a brush or roller.
Electrically conductive
If the microwave enamel chips, buy Belgian Zinga paint to restore the equipment. Enamel KO-8111. These materials contain all the necessary components: silver, zinc, aluminum, etc. Leave the painted enamel coating of the microwave for several hours. Immediately after drying, the material turns into a layer of increased strength, which has maximum resistance to various negative influences.
Electrically conductive paint can maintain its integrity at a temperature of 200 degrees. Particularly noteworthy is the excellent grip on the surface. This material is mainly used by stove owners because of its low price.
Shungite
Shungite is a type of paint and varnish coating with a maximum level of electrical conductivity. It has strength and density. Heat-resistant and antistatic bases are made from this paint. If the old microwave enamel is peeling off, use shungite paint, as it also helps save energy.
Due to its increased durability, this paint is ideal for microwave ovens. Do not forget that it is important not only to choose the right material, but also to apply it. How to paint a microwave at home? No special equipment or skills are required for this. You just need to follow expert recommendations.
Acrylic car
Is your microwave's old paint chipped or peeling? It is necessary to restore peeling enamel at home. If the previous materials did not suit you for some reason, then you need to get acrylic paint. This is a very easy material to use and is also inexpensive. Sold in cans. Applying acrylic paint to enamel is not difficult. One can will be enough. One coat is enough.
Painting the stove
After all surfaces are prepared, you can proceed directly to painting. Those parts that will not be processed, in particular, the ventilation window, locks and hinges, the inspection window on the door and others, must be sealed with masking tape. This must be done carefully, observing geometry and dimensions.
The best paint option for household appliances is in a can. It is easier to apply and goes on smoother. If the paint is in a can, it can only be applied with a foam roller. Under no circumstances should you use a brush or a “shaggy” roller. They will leave marks and unpainted marks.
You should start working from the depths and move outward. The coating should be applied in a thin layer, making forward movements with the roller in one direction, using a spray can in a wave.
The first layer must dry completely. Only after this can you begin the second application of paint. Masking tape can only be removed when all layers are completely dry. This must be done carefully so that the tape does not “pull” the freshly applied coating along with it.
Advice! It is better to spray paint the outside of the microwave. Only in this way can a high-quality decorative look be achieved.
Drops of paint that accidentally fall where they shouldn’t can be removed with a cotton swab dipped in solvent.
How to paint the inside of a microwave at home, instructions
Now you know how to paint the inside of a microwave. The type of material used is also extremely important. To do everything correctly, follow the simple step-by-step instructions:
- Unplug the equipment. Place the device on a flat surface with the door facing up so that access to the equipment is not restricted.
- Seal the air duct, wave duct, and other compartments that you don't want paint getting into with tape or tape.
- Clean the surface of old paint that has peeled off. If the coating on a certain wall is not damaged, then it can be left untouched.
- If you do everything in a timely manner, then rust should not have appeared. It is necessary to clean damaged areas and uneven areas with sandpaper.
- If the rust has spread sufficiently, you need to treat these areas with a special acid converter.
- Immediately after completing the process of cleaning the peeling areas of enamel, remove dust and dirt from the surface with an ordinary rag.
- Be sure to degrease the surface with special products or regular alcohol.
- Follow basic safety rules. You need to work exclusively with gloves. Be sure to provide proper ventilation in the room. It is advisable to apply layers of paint outdoors.
- To prevent dirt from accumulating in the workplace, you need to lay a special oilcloth or film on it; newspapers are a good alternative.
- If you plan to spray paint your microwave, then place it on edge. Start painting with recessed surfaces.
- To prevent drips, do not put too much paint on the roller, which should be applied in a thin layer. The corners must be painted with a brush.
- When the first layer of paint is completely dry, apply the second layer using the same principle.
- Paint from spray cans is applied in a zigzag pattern; there should be no delays. This will allow the layer to be applied evenly.
- After final drying, evaluate the work done and, if necessary, apply another layer.
- When everything is dry, you can remove the tape. Wait for the paint to fully adhere to the surface.
- After restoration work is completed, the stove should not be turned on for several days.
To maximize the effect of painting your microwave oven, regularly remove grease and food debris from the surface of the heating chamber. This can be done with a sponge soaked in soapy water or special cleaning products. If you find a peeling area, paint over it immediately to prevent the damage from getting worse.
Coloring stages
Now you know that even if the enamel peels off in the microwave, you can still restore the integrity of the surface. However, it is extremely important to apply the paint material correctly. Conventionally, the coloring process can be divided into 4 stages:
- Bubbling, rusty and flaking areas should be carefully cleaned using sandpaper.
- The surface on which paint will be subsequently applied is degreased with an alcohol solution.
- It is extremely important that no paint splashes get into the important hardware compartments of the oven, so they are sealed with tape.
- The dyeing process itself. The second layer is applied at the discretion of the user. The decision is made only after complete drying.
After reading this step-by-step instructions, you will know what you can use to paint a microwave if the enamel has peeled off, as well as how to do it correctly.
Preparing for work
As with any other painting work, the surface of the microwave should be pre-prepared before painting. This will avoid the appearance of microdefects and irregularities. The paint applies more evenly to the prepared surface and will last longer.
First you need to clean the surface. It is necessary to remove the old coating. A metal brush, scrapers or coarse sandpaper is suitable for this. Particular attention should be paid to areas with damage: scratches, bubbles, spots with “torn edges” of paint around the perimeter. Stainless steel does not need to be cleaned.
Cleaned areas should be sanded. It is especially worthwhile to walk along the border between “bare” areas and places with preserved covering. Zero-grit sandpaper is suitable for these purposes.
The surface to be painted must be degreased. This can be done with a special solution, which is sold in any hardware stores and household goods (it’s called a “degreaser”), as well as acetone or solvent.
Advice! During operation, the microwave should be tilted forward so that all debris and dust come out without clogging the internal mechanisms.
How to paint the inside of a stove from rust
What to do if the microwave is rusty? This problem occurs because the inner walls of the heat chamber were deformed, but the user ignored this. The natural result of corrosion will be the appearance of rust in the microwave. There are several ways to carry out recovery.
The first and best option is painting with food paint. It is made from organosilicon varnish. Manufacturers of this coating add special pigments and fillers to the composition. It was previously noted that organic paint is approved by the Ministry of Health. It is mainly used for processing food-related equipment.
There are several obvious advantages to this method of removing rust from a microwave. Firstly, it is resistant to high humidity. Secondly, when exposed to high temperatures, food coloring does not release harmful substances. Painting is carried out in several layers. A roller or a regular brush is used for this.
An electrically conductive composition is another effective option for getting rid of rust in the microwave. Immediately after drying, a zinc layer appears that can withstand heating up to 150 degrees Celsius. The paint and varnish material fits perfectly on metal surfaces. It is quite expensive, but does not have toxic compounds.
Acrylic based automotive primer can also be used to combat corrosion. It's quite cheap. Sold in cans. It applies very quickly and extremely easily. One can is enough to create a two-layer coating. Acrylic exhibits excellent adhesion to metal surfaces. Copes with non-standard temperature conditions.
Enamel for restoring coatings is also suitable in cases where the microwave has rusted. It is made from epoxy enamel. It is used specifically for restoring the surfaces of household appliances. Works great on metal surfaces. Forms a strong and durable layer that can withstand up to 100 degrees Celsius. As for the shortcomings, the range of shades leaves much to be desired. There may be problems with choosing.
Also pay attention to the HI-TEMP SPRAY PAINT. It is designed for operation in environments with abnormally high temperatures. Capable of withstanding enormous loads. Can be applied even to rusty surfaces. Mainly used in the process of painting radiators and other elements of the heating system. Among the advantages, one should also highlight the relatively low cost.
Painting stages
- tape all areas that do not need to be painted, including the ventilation grille and heating elements
- start from the furthest surface
- Apply the coloring composition in a thin layer using any convenient means and method. When using car paint, spray from a can, choosing the correct distance
- And if there is paint left and there is a desire, then you can paint the outer surfaces of the microwave.
- If desired, you can apply a second layer, it is not necessary. When the first layer is completely dry, you can apply the second.
- This way you will receive a practically new product.
- When everything has completely dried, remove the tape that covered all the holes and use a solvent to correct the staining defects.
Recommendations for care after painting the surface
Restoring enamel in the microwave, inside and out, is only half the battle. Proper care of household appliances is necessary so that a similar problem does not appear after a short period of time. After applying the paint, you need to follow expert recommendations:
- do not use the microwave oven for three days from the moment of painting, since turning it on prematurely may cause cracks to appear, since the paint has not completely hardened;
- every user is interested in ensuring that the new coating lasts as long as possible; to do this, you need to clean the heat chamber and use special covers;
- Experts categorically prohibit washing microwave ovens with excessively cold water, as this causes sudden temperature fluctuations that lead to damage to the surface;
- Be extremely careful with detergents and cleaning products; do not use hard brushes.
The person painting the microwave must follow safety precautions. Handle the surface while wearing protective gloves. Ensure proper ventilation of the work area.
What to do to prevent rusty deposits from appearing again?
You can extend the life of a microwave oven, subject to certain rules:
- Do not use abrasive dry powders when cleaning the internal surface. They leave scratches that will soon become covered with a rusty coating.
- The microwave oven must be cleaned regularly. Acidified fat and other contaminants destroy the inner surface (the enamel begins to bubble and peel), which leads to the rapid appearance of rust spots.
- To make the microwave less dirty when heating food, the plate must be covered with a special plastic lid.
- Cleaning with warm water will prevent the interior surface of the microwave from prematurely showing signs of corrosion (cold water causes the enamel to crack faster).
Careful, regular maintenance guarantees the safety of the inner surface of the microwave from rust.