Paint off inside top of microwave exposing metal. Safe to use?

Using the microwave with exposed metal can cause additional problems. You can remove the loose paint, lightly sand the area and reprint with microwave cavity paint. The paint can be purchased from your local parts distributer, or find it online. Follow the instructions on the can.

Yes you can repaint it. Use an epoxy based paint and clean the metalwork with sand paper first.
The only health question is if you get the flaking paint in your food - yuk!

THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY METALS IN A MICROWAVE WHEN THE UNIT IS RUNNING
If the unit paint is flaking and behind that flake is metal.. You need to throw it away or talk to your appliance guy and see if there is a speacial paint to coat the metal so you can use your MW

Sand off the loose paint and make sure that there are no holes in the cavity. If there's holes the unit is not safe to use.

If it's just surface flaking, it should be safe to sand back with fine grade wet/dry sandpaper. We usually respray with automotive paint in a colour close to the cavity colour.

Hi,

Scratches, flaking and bare spots are fairly common, but should be addressed as soon as they arise so the corrosion will not spread and arcing does not occur.

Unplug the power cord first.

Take some mild sanding cloth or scotchbright and clean the bare and rusted areas in the microwave. Use appliance touch up paint to re-coat the surface. You can find the touch up at most anywhere that sells appliances, it comes in a plastic bottle similar in appearance to fingernail polish, yes it does have a brush inside.

Let it dry per the instructions on the bottle or 24 hours if not specified.

Hi Bonnie,

Do not use the microwave with the exposed metal surface.

What you can do is pick up some appliance touch up paint, it comes in a small plastic bottle with a brush. It looks similar to fingernail polish. It should be available at an appliance store such as Sears, Lowes, Home Depot etc.

Clean the area good and use sandpaper or steel wool if needed to make sure the area is smooth and clean. Then use the touch up paint to recoat the surface. Let dry before using the microwave oven, usually a couple hours or so.

Nothing special in there. As long as the paint is not flaking into the food you are ok, Be aware that bare metal could begin to arc. There is special microwave paint available but it will not match and look bad unless you redo the entire interior.
Eric

It should be sanded smooth and clean and dried thoroughly.

Then you can apply some high-temperature appliance paint, available from places like Wal-Mart, Lowe's or Builder's Square.

It's normally enamel on sheet metal, not porcelain.

We're happy to help you with free advice and we'd appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.

all you can do is clean it out and spray paint it again. there should be no metal exposed inside the oven or arching will occur.

tnx 4 uisng fixya,

drcool

Yes, but if this is not fixed, it may flake off and get in your food, or allow grease or food particles to build up on the surface.

 

The loose paint should really be sanded off, at least.

 

Then when it's clean and dry, you can apply a little high-temperature appliance paint, available from department stores, home improvement centers, and appliance parts stores.