Give old, yellowed handles a fresh, new look.
Appliances Looking Worn Out? Here’s an Easy Fix
The white refrigerator in your kitchen didn’t come with yellow handles, but they’re yellow now. Even after cleaning, they’ll still look pretty grungy against the bright white porcelain cabinet. New handles are pretty pricey, so why not just paint your old ones? It’s an easy and cheap solution that doesn’t take too much time.
You won’t need many supplies; simply buy a can of paint formulated to paint plastic at a home center. Then, pick up a bottle of degreaser and a scrubbing pad. With a little scrubbing and some patience while things dry, you can have a fridge that looks as good as new, even several years down the line!
Pop the Caps and Screws
Pry off the vanity caps that cover the side screws. Then open the fridge door and remove the other screws. Next, remove the handles. Wash them with a degreaser and hot water; use a scrub pad on textured areas to remove the dirt. Pay particular attention to dirt in crevices. Your painted appliances won’t look great if you’ve just painted over the dirt instead of cleaning them first. Then wipe the handles with a dry cloth and let them air-dry.
Apply the Paint
Mask off any emblems or chrome trim and paint the handles. Spray the sides of the handles before doing the flat surfaces. Be sure to alllow the recommended “flash” time before applying additional coats; patience is key here. Once the paint is dry, flip the handles over and paint the other sides. To be efficient with your time here, paint the vanity caps at the same time.
After everything is dry, reinstall the handles. You may have to repaint them in a few years, depending on how close to perfect you want them to look. But in the meantime, these painted appliances will keep your kitchen looking bright and fresh.
