Are you thinking of painting the range hood in your kitchen? If yes, then here, we have provided some helpful tips and instructions on how to paint a range hood.
Remodeling a kitchen is both fun and hard work. If you are on a tight budget, painting will give your kitchen that much-needed new look and also be friendly on your pocket. Along with painting your cabinets, walls, and countertop, paint your range hood too. A range hood is an appliance situated above the cooking stove that gets rid of fumes, odors, grease, and steam from the air with the help of a fan that filters and expels the impure air. It is also called ‘vent hood’ or an ‘exhaust’. With time, a hood can start to look worn out and dirty after all the heat and grease it has encountered, after so many years of cooking.
Painting Instructions for a Range Hood
Cleaning
Before you begin painting, you need to clean the surface of the hood thoroughly, to remove all the grime that has been accumulated. With a degreaser, cleanly wipe down all the oily spots that have formed on the hood. Then, use a soft sponge with a mild soap solution or use household ammonia solution and water in the ratio of 1:1. Dip a soft sponge in the solution and rub the hood repeatedly with it, then wipe out any water with a soft cloth. Wear protective gloves before you start the cleaning process.
Sanding
Once the range hood dries up, it’s time to sand it. Prior to sanding, make sure you cover all the cabinets, countertop, walls, and ceilings surrounding the cooking range to prevent them from getting messy. You can use painter’s tape to protect all buttons, knobs, decals, and areas of the kitchen range that do not require sanding and painting. Take a 220-grit sandpaper and sand the hood to get rid of chipped paint and rust spots to avoid further oxidation. Do not be too abrasive or you could scratch the metal. Once you have finished sanding, gently wipe the entire surface with a tack cloth to eliminate all dust particles.
Priming
The next step is priming. Use a good quality adhesion-promoting primer. Whether you are using a paintbrush or a paint roller, or using spray paint, ensure that you apply the primer evenly all over for a smooth finish. Read the instructions on the can carefully to know how long you need to wait before applying another coat. Once the first coat has dried off, apply another even coat of primer.
Painting
Now it’s time to paint! Let the primer coats dry completely, and in much the same way as you applied the primer, paint the surface of the range hood with the color of your choice. Always make sure you use paint that is heat-resistant. Use appliance paint and not acrylic or enamel paints. Go in for a color that will match the tone of your kitchen. Preferably use oil-based paints since they offer more durability and are easier to clean. Use smooth and thin strokes and make sure the paint does not run or drip or appear uneven anywhere. Read the manufacturer’s instructions before you begin painting. Apply two layers of paint, but only after the first one has entirely dried off. Wear gloves and masks to protect yourself from the paint fumes.
Sealing
The last step, sealing, is important since it helps to waterproof the paint, and reduces the chances of the paint coming off, rusting, and the formation of mold and mildew. Wait till the paint coats have dried completely, then apply two thin, even coats of sealant on the painted surface.
You’re done…almost! Wait for at least two days before you begin cooking, which ensures that the hood gets enough time to dry off before it is exposed to vapor and heat. Make sure the kitchen is well-ventilated before you undertake the painting job.
This is a relatively easy and quick DIY job that will definitely give a new lease of life to your cooking range. Consider painting the walls and cabinets, and in no time, your kitchen will be transformed and turn into the favorite hangout for your family and friends.