Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Paint My Glass Oven Door

Use a high-temperature enamel.


You can paint your glass oven door; however, the finish won't endure for a long period of time. Before you begin the application process, consider the pros and cons, and then decide if you still want to tackle this sort of project.


Adhesion Problems


If you're dead set on painting your glass oven door, the best you can do is thoroughly clean it prior to application. Because glass is nonporous, it's ill-suited for painted finishes. Professionals use sandpaper to abrade nonporous vinyl, plastic, and fiberglass. This technique roughens these surfaces, effectively enhancing their adhesive qualities. Unfortunately, this method doesn't work very well on glass.


Temperature


If you're committed to painting your glass oven door, choose a high-temperature enamel or appliance epoxy. Because oven doors get hot, they tend to reject ordinary types of paint. If you apply an ordinary latex, oil, or acrylic paint to your glass oven door, the finish will quickly bubble and peel.


Application


Because glass oven doors are slick, they'll reveal even the subtlest of flaws. Don't apply the paint using a brush, or you can expect marks to appear in the finish. For best results, use spray cans of high-temperature enamel or appliance epoxy. To prevent runs, hold the spray can tip approximately 8 inches from the glass.


Refinishing


When you first apply the painted finish to the glass oven door, it will likely look durable and attractive. Unfortunately, over time, it will chip and flake. This may take between six months to two years. Once paint failure begins, you'll have to refinish the glass with fresh paint. Consider this before deciding whether or not to paint your glass oven door.