The Fresh Loaf

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Mixer paint.

clearlyanidiot's picture
clearlyanidiot

Mixer paint.

I'm in the process of rebuilding an ancient Toledo mixer. It was used as a lawn ornament for a number of years, but plugging it in, it runs beautifully.

I've stripped the old paint that was flaking badly, but now I'm wondering what type of paint is suitable. I've read that new mixers come with NSF approved coatings (paint) and I'm wondering where I'd get something like that. 

PeterS's picture
PeterS

Industrial paint and coatings manufacturers make & supply NSF approved coatings. It appears that most (if not all) are powder coatings which are tops in durability and looks; most OE appliance coatings these days are powder. Unfortunately, powder coatings don't lend themselves to home application.  Sherwin-Williams has some and your local S-W store (many of which sell industrial coatings) may help you identify a local powder coater. If not, google for their 800#.

I doubt that there are any NSF paints sold in aerosol cans. If any, they might only be touch up products from the appliance manufacturers.

There are structural spray paints which are approved for incidental but not continuous food exposure like these. they are not NSF, but properly applied might be safe for home or light commercial use. https://www.kimballmidwest.com/catalog/USDA.aspx?ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_gridResultsChangePage=3_100 

Most spray paints available at retail are pretty marginal products. Rustoleum's commercial maintenance spray paints are better and available at some big box stores and commercial supplies like Grainger. They are not NSF at any level, but properly dried should be safe.

 

DavidEF's picture
DavidEF

There are a few powder coat products sold for home use. You apply the powder, then stick it in an oven to bake it on. I don't know if there are any that are both made for home application and food safe. Here is a website where some food safe coatings are sold: http://www.masterbond.com/properties/food-safe-adhesives-sealants-coatings-encapsulation-compounds

clearlyanidiot's picture
clearlyanidiot

I've tried three industrial suppliers locally and a couple more online; so far no luck finding something NSF approved. Maybe the better question is:

What type of paint should I be using on a mixer?

Given the age of the mixer it wouldn't surprise me if the original paint on it was lead based, so anything new should be a step in the right direction.

breadman_nz's picture
breadman_nz

If you are up for a bit more work and to do a more thorough job, disassemble the mixer and take the relevant pieces into a powder coating firm. They will be able to properly strip the old paint and repaint a spanking new powdercoat of your colour of choice.

Powder coating is *far* more durable in this application and is the OEM standard. I'm sure if you let the powder coaters know it has to be NSF, they'll be able to oblige. Only issue I had when I did this with my N50 was some of the powder coating needed to be cleaned out from screw holes and from mating edges. Highly recommended, IMHO.

clearlyanidiot's picture
clearlyanidiot

I've already stripped the mixer down to bare cast iron. It just seemed like less work to get all the old body filler and paint off than to try to save some, and have a big chunk flake off into the middle of a batch of dough.

I'll see if I can track down a powder coater here. I'm waiting to hear back from another paint shop that thinks they can get in NSF paint.

My plan is to get the outside painted and then clean out all the old grease; making sure that nothing got pushed into the bearings/internals from the sanding and painting.