11 Things You Should Never Paint

Before you try to touch up that favorite bowl or change the color of your kitchen counters, put the paint down. Here are 11 things you should never paint.

1 / 11
Never Paint Dishes
Lia_t/Shutterstock

Never Paint Dishes

Even high-quality paint contains toxic chemicals that shouldn't be ingested. Trying to fix a chipped plate or cracked serving bowl with paint may be tempting, but it's not food safe so never paint them.
2 / 11
Faucets
Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Faucets

When applied to a surface that frequently comes in contact with water, most paint can chip, which you don't want in your water. And painting may seem like an easy way to update the look of faucet, but faucets are relatively inexpensive. Instead of risking chipped paint for a new look, just replace the faucet.
3 / 11
Kitchen Appliances
Vereshchagin Dmitry/Shutterstock

Kitchen Appliances

Paint can add a bold punch of color to your kitchen, but most paints aren't heat-resistant or food-safe. If you want to update the color of your kitchen, keep paint to walls, know how to paint kitchen cabinets and furniture. And never paint appliances. Keep the paint away from ovens, refrigerators, microwaves, toasters and dishwashers. It's simply a bad idea.
4 / 11
Electronics
Eugenio Marongiu/Shutterstock

Electronics

A vibrant green laptop or hot pink tablet may be appealing, but never paint electronics. You can get paint in openings and damage the machine. Also, you can protect your electronics by installing a whole house surge protector.
5 / 11
Pots and Pans
Brooke Becker/Shutterstock

Pots and Pans

If your pots and pans are on display, never paint them to try and  fix the chipped enamel on your Teflon or nonstick pan. Since paint isn't food safe, toss your pots and pans at the first sight of peeling paint.
6 / 11
Countertops
Atstock Productions/Shutterstock

Countertops

It can be tempting to paint countertops to repair a scratch or if you're looking for a new look in the kitchen or bathroom, but paint isn't the answer. Most countertop surfaces are difficult to paint correctly and food can easily stain painted surfaces.
7 / 11
Tile
DD Images/Shutterstock

Tile

Painting tile in the bathroom or along a kitchen backsplash seems like an easy way to update the room, but painting tile is tricky and messy. Plus, paint can easily chip when constantly exposed to moisture, so it's a good idea never to paint it.
8 / 11
The Piano
Mongkol Foto/Shutterstock

The Piano

Instead of painting the living room piano to update the room's look, try painting shelves or wood furniture. Paint can clog keys and may seal shut a panel that is used to access the instrument's mechanics.
9 / 11
Fabric Furniture
StockLite/Shutterstock

Fabric Furniture

While using paint to refinish old wood furniture is an option, never paint on fabric sofas and chairs. Fabric soaks up paint and it will just create a big mess. Plus, when it finally dries, it will feel like sandpaper.
10 / 11
Flatware
Henrik Dolle/Shutterstock

Flatware

Never paint anything that will come into contact with food or your mouth. Painting just the handles of flatware should also be nixed, as the paint can easily chip and get into your food. And try using lemon if your flatware needs polishing.
11 / 11
Shower Door Frames
Artazum/Shutterstock

Shower Door Frames

Since shower doors are constantly exposed to moisture, it won't be long before the paint starts to chip away. There are ways to protect your shower doors from buildup, so never paint your shower frames.

Rachel Brougham
Rachel Brougham spent years working in newsrooms, for television and newspapers, and has won several awards for her writing. In 2015, she left her full-time job as a newspaper editor to focus on freelance writing and editing. She has been a Family Handyman contributor since 2017.
In 2019, Rachel lived through a major remodeling project on her home, and she uses that experience to inform her Family Handyman content. She's also an avid gardener (both native plants and vegetables), enjoys keeping up with decor trends and spends a lot of time traveling, cooking and hanging out with her family and their giant dog.