How would I prepare and paint the metal shelves in my refrigerator? I think they are aluminum, and they look all mottled. Other than that the fridge is in great condition.
Lightly "sand" then with fine steel wool so the paint sticks. Spray paint and seal with several coats of waterproof satin "gloss"
I would do the following:
1. Make sure your metal shelves are very clean, as paint will adhere poorly if they have residue on them.
2. Sand lightly to create a "tooth" for new paint to grip onto. (steel wool suggestion is good). Make sure you wipe off any shavings and dust.
3. Apply a rusty metal primer. You can find this at a hardware or big box store in either spray paint or oil-base brush on paint.Even though you didn't say your shelves were rusty, the mottling you described could be indicitive of corrosion.
There's a special primer that's used on Alum. it has a mild acid in it to etch the serface and hold, you can get it just about anyplace, I suggest that you use "Rustoleum" paint, it's a high quality paint and gives a porcelain like finish
