Refreshing dated appliances will cost about $150 to $700
Refinishing appliances costs an average of $350, although costs may range from $50 to $1,500. The typical cost range for labor and materials is $150 to $700. Over time, your appliances may begin to look dull and dated. Refinishing appliances by painting them or adding a fresh porcelain enamel coating is a cost-effective way to upgrade your home without the higher cost of purchasing all new appliances.
How Much Does Appliance Refinishing Cost by Type of Appliance?
The cost to refinish appliances primarily depends on the number of cans of appliance-friendly spray paint required for the appliance. Plus, appliances that get hot, like ovens or dryers, will require specialty, high-heat paint, which can cost more than regular appliance paint.
Refrigerator
You can expect to spend $150 to $300 for the materials and labor to refinish a refrigerator.
Refrigerators are some of the easiest, most common appliances to refinish. If you’re dreaming of mimicking the look of a colorful Smeg brand fridge without the price tag or creating a rustic, yet functional look with chalkboard paint, refinishing is a good option.
Standard refrigerator: A standard fridge with a top freezer will cost $150 to $250 to refinish. The style of fridge has a surface area of about 56 square feet. You’ll need about eight to 10 cans of appliance spray paint at $5 to $7 each, plus labor costs of $125 to $200.
Side-by-side refrigerator: A side-by-side fridge will cost about $150 to $300. This type of fridge is wider with a surface area of about 65 square feet, meaning you’ll need about 11 or 12 cans of appliance spray paint. Labor costs will be around $125 to $200.
Oven
An oven will cost about $150 to $300 for materials and labor. A standard-sized oven has about 34 square feet of surface area and will require five or six cans of heat-resistant spray paint at $10 per can.
Washer
A washer costs about $150 to $250 to refinish. This appliance has about 31 square feet of surface area and will require four to five cans of appliance spray paint at $5 to $7 per can.
Dryer
A dryer will cost about $200 to $300 to refinish. It has a similar amount of surface area to a washer, so it requires the same amount of paint, but it will need high-heat paint, which costs slightly more at about $10 per can.
How Much Does Appliance Refinishing Cost by Paint Type?
Different types of appliance paints will vary slightly in cost.
Epoxy paint: Appliance epoxy paint is formulated specifically for appliances and costs about $5 to $7 per can.
High-heat paint: High-heat or heat-resistant paint is crucial for ovens, dryers, grills, or other appliances that reach up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This paint costs about $10 per can.
Electrostatic painting or powder coating: Electrostatic painting will cost about $300 for the materials and labor to refinish an average-sized appliance, such as a standard refrigerator. Electrostatic painting is a specialized style of painting that uses positively charged ions to quickly and cleanly apply paint to metal appliances. It leads to less overspray, or waste, compared to spray painting.
How Much Does It Cost to Refinish an Appliance Yourself?
You’ll spend about $50 to $100 for the paint to refinish appliances.
You can save about $200 of labor costs if you choose to refinish appliances yourself, but an appliance repair specialist will be able to complete the job quickly and ensure the smoothest application.
Appliance Refinishing Cost Breakdown
Appliance refinishing typically costs $150 to $700 total for materials, paint, and labor. The average cost for appliance refinishing is $350.
Materials and Paint
Aside from paint, you’ll need paint brushes, rollers, or sprayers, sand paper, and tarps or plastic sheeting to protect your floors. You may also require goggles and masks, especially if you are using spray paint, to avoid inhaling the fumes.
Appliance paint costs about $5 to $10 per can. You may need about four to 12 cans of paint depending on the size of your appliance. If you opt for electrostatic painting, you’ll spend about $300 total for the materials and labor.
Labor
Comparatively, hiring an appliance repair specialist will cost about $40 to $70 per hour. You can expect the project to take at least three hours.
What Factors Influence the Cost to Refinish Appliances?
Aside from the type of appliance and paint, the cost to refinish appliances can depend on whether you need to move the appliance to paint it. You’ll spend more money on labor if the appliance specialist needs to work in a workshop rather than inside your home.
FAQs About Appliance Refinishing
Should I refinish or replace my appliance?
Refinishing an appliance is often less expensive than buying a new appliance. But if your appliance is heavily dented, refinishing it won’t cover that damage. Also, for old appliances that aren’t in good working order, a coat of paint won’t help. It’s a safer long-term solution to replace old and faulty appliances.
You might also consider refinishing your appliances if you want to achieve fun colors. For example, you might not be able to find a cobalt-blue refrigerator for the funky, retro kitchen of your dreams, but refinishing the fridge can help you achieve that aesthetic.
DIY: Can I refinish my appliances myself?
Refinishing appliances is suitable for DIYers, but it does take several hours per appliance. You’ll need to first remove pieces of the appliance that you don’t want to paint. You may also need to slowly and safely move heavy appliances if they are surrounded by cabinets. Then clean the appliance, sand it to ensure the paint sticks, and apply two to three coats of paint. Each coat will need to cure for up to six hours.
Can you refinish high-heat appliances, like ovens?
Yes, you can refinish appliances that reach high temperatures. You just need to use heat-resistant paints, so check the label to ensure your chosen paint is safe for appliances that get hot.
How can I avoid the need to refinish my appliances?
While refinishing your appliances can make them look fresh, you may prefer to keep their original coatings as long as possible. The best way to maintain your appliances’ appearances is to keep them clean.
Wipe up messes and spills on appliances as soon as possible.
Avoid using harsh cleaners or abrasive cleaning tools.
Handle objects with care near appliances to avoid scratching or denting them.
