# Painting Inside of Microwave Oven? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 13, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846 "2018-07-13T16:59:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846/1 "2018-07-13T16:59:38Z")
My microwave oven still works fine but the inside of the chamber is horribly rusted because of the moisture generated. I am thinking of repainting it. What kind of paint is needed? Any special characteristics? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846/2 "2018-07-13T17:11:31Z")
Is it a very very nice microwave otherwise? Just questioning whether it’s worth it to you. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846/3 "2018-07-13T17:15:47Z")
This page seems to have the answer: > [@](#): > > Remove the Rust and Repaint > Examine the interior of the oven cavity carefully. If any of the rust spots have small pinholes, you cannot repair the oven, you must replace it. > > Some microwaves have known paint-chipping issues, and their manufacturers often recommend replacing the microwave. But with the advancements in paint technology, you can use a special food-safe microwave cavity paint to repaint the oven’s interior. Once you notice any paint chipping or rust, remove the rust to prepare the cavity for painting. Your work’s success depends on how well you prepare the surface before painting. > > [Dangers of Rusted Microwaves | Hunker](https://www.hunker.com/13407954/dangers-of-rusted-microwaves) ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846/4 "2018-07-13T19:02:16Z")
> [@DavidwithanR](#): > > Is it a very very nice microwave otherwise? > > Just questioning whether it’s worth it to you. This. Microwave ovens last forever and even then they are quite disposable. New units range from $50-$100. May be better just to buy a new one. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846/5 "2018-07-13T19:06:48Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > This. Microwave ovens last forever and even then they are quite disposable. New units range from $50-$100. May be better just to buy a new one. Yeah, I agree. I bought a rather nice one for $65 a few years ago. Although you usually have to haul the old one to a recycler. You can’t just leave the old one on the curb for the trash pickup. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846/6 "2018-07-13T19:39:50Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > This. Microwave ovens last forever and even then they are quite disposable. New units range from $50-$100. May be better just to buy a new one. Agree. I’m an apt manager and handyman. Much easier and cheaper just to get a new one. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846/7 "2018-07-13T19:53:18Z")
And a microwave cover will do wonders to help maintain it. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846/8 "2018-07-13T20:02:51Z")
I always leave mine open for a while after using it. Lets the steam dissipate into the room rather than condense on the interior. It’s still going strong after 30+ years. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846/9 "2018-07-13T21:25:57Z")
30+ years! JFC! I probably have bought 20 microwaves in 30 years. How can that be? ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846/10 "2018-07-13T21:56:22Z")
Damned if I know. I’ve been expecting it to expire for several years now. It’s the only one I’ve ever owned and I use it every day. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846/11 "2018-07-13T21:58:25Z")
I’m 71 and still on my second microwave. The wife talks about getting a new one every now and then but succumbs to the Glare Of The Clan. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846/12 "2018-07-13T22:01:14Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > 30+ years! JFC! I probably have bought 20 microwaves in 30 years. How can that be? What keeps happening to yours? ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/painting-inside-of-microwave-oven/817846/13 "2018-07-13T22:11:59Z")
My mom has been complaining that her microwave’s keypad goes wonky occasionally. It was purchased in 1975 for $400 (yes, she still has the receipt). She found the model number on the internet, but the keypad is no longer available.