5 Things in Your House You Should Never Paint, According to Reno and DIY Pros

• Moisture, heat, and frequent use are the most common reasons you shouldn’t paint a household feature.
• Bathtubs, door knobs, and floors are among the things you definitely shouldn’t paint.
• Swapping out fixtures is a better option if you want to change their look.

DIY projects are a budget-friendly and fun way to change the look of your home and furniture. If you are looking to repurpose an old, worn-out dresser into a new treasure in no time and want to take on a creative project, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

We asked experts on what household items should be let go rather than repainted, read on to find out what they are.

Bathtubs

You may be wanting to rip out your tub and put in something more suitable, so it fits your bathroom’s aesthetic. The idea of painting a few coats of waterproof paint can be tempting, however, pull the breaks on that thought and don’t do it.

Paint pros say that this is a job to leave to the experts. The new layer may look great, but no paint can really stand up to the moisture and heat that your bathtub sees regularly.

Anthony Lara, the president and CEO of Picazzo Painting in Miami, says the potential for mold growth makes this a job for a trained refinishing crew.

“Better yet, sell the old bathtub and then buy a new one if you can afford it,” Lara recommends.

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Door Knobs and Handles

Styles definitely change over time, and from person to person. Yesterday’s shiny gold knob might not appeal to today’s popular muted looks.

Saving some money can be a very appealing prospect when a homeowner is looking to do some upgrades, but when it comes to door knobs and handles, it’s better to not gloss over the outcome. 

Paint isn’t going to adhere well to a metal object with a high sheen, Lara says. These fixtures’ constant exposure to hand sweat can also easily compromise the quality of any cover-up you try.

If you love them for their shape or style, just get a professional to do the refinishing for you. For fixtures you just don’t love for their color or sheen, replace them, Lana says. The relatively low cost is worth handing it over to the experts. 

Floors

High-traffic areas are not a great choice for updating with a paint job. If you have concrete floors, especially in a basement that might have moisture issues, that is understood. It may need a seal, but it won’t be enough to be a permanent solution. 

That basement floor won’t last more than a year with a paint covering. Rick Berres, a handyman and owner of Honey-Doers, says you would be better off just replacing that floor in the basement.

Floors get too much traffic to withstand paint. Berres suggests vinyl as a much better choice since it’s low-cost and DIY-friendly.

Appliances

As with other “no paint” items, appliances get a lot of use. Anything that is used often isn’t a good candidate for a paint job. Once a surface peels and chips, it will look bad and you will need to fix it again. 

When it comes to electrical appliances, putting paint on something that runs on electricity can be dangerous since most paints are flammable. This runs the risk of an accidental spark hitting a flammable substance, which isn’t worth the risk. Sell that fridge and buy your dream appliance, instead.  

Antiques

Things created in past eras often have a certain look that doesn’t mesh with today’s styles. However, their unique details are the main reason why people look for them in the first place, and buying a classic item only to spray a can of paint all over them isn’t always a great idea. 

Once you cover their historical look and patina, you have changed what might be most attractive about the piece, says Ryan Ratkowski, founder of Rustic Decorating.

“Once painted, their historical value and charm can be lost,” Ratkowski says. “Instead of painting, consider restoring or conservatively cleaning these pieces,” he says.

Changing up your home’s look or a furniture piece’s style is natural a lot of the time. Before you pick up your favorite color in a paint can or spray bottle, think about the long-term consequences. There might be a better way!