Paint Her Fire Extinguisher Pink! (or any other color...)

What to give the brave culinary experimenter who has to have everything in pink?

Pink blender? yep.
Pink kitchenware? of course.
Pink bakeware? check.
Pink apron? two of them.
Pink fire suppression device?......

It started out as a joke, and just might be the perfect Valentine's Day gift... (we'll see)

Materials:
Fire Extinguisher
Blue Painter's Tape (or masking tape)
600 grit waterproof sandpaper
Rust-Oleum "Painter's Touch" - #1950 Berry Pink
Rust-Oleum "Painter's Touch" - #1901 Gloss Clear (optional)
Isopropyl alcohol
Rubbing compound
Plastic bags (use hardware store bag from above purchases)
Paper towels

Tools:
Eye protection
Nitrile gloves
Respirator, or Particulate air-filter
Razor, X-Acto, or really sharp knife
Scissors
Bucket

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Step 1: Prep school

See that brand spanking new extinguisher?

Mask off the label with the blue tape, use the razor to cut around the corners of the label.

Tape around the safety ring to secure it to the handle. Mask off the nozzle, handle, and gauge assembly.

Cut the 600 grit sandpaper into 4-inch wide strips.

Fill the bucket halfway with water.

Start sanding the exposed areas of the tank. The goal is to level the surface we will be painting, and to give the paint a slight texture to adhere to. The sandpaper loses it's "bite" as the dust clogs it's abrasive surface. Rinse the sandpaper in the bucket to keep it free of paint build up.

Stop sanding when the entire tank feels smooth to the touch. It will have an evenly dull sheen. Make sure you don't leave any glossy spots, as the paint may not stick well to these areas.

Clean the tank using paper towels and alcohol, allow it to dry completely before the next step.

A good name says: Apr 15, 2008. 5:19 PM

Lol, step 1: paint the fire extinguisher pink XD Just kidding, I'm sure it's great :D

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Kiteman says: Feb 15, 2007. 9:09 AM

Nice, but won't your intended take it the wrong way? What must you think of her kitchen skills if you think a fire extinguisher makes a romantic gift? ;-)

gelstudios (author) in reply to KitemanFeb 15, 2007. 9:35 AM

Story goes, my friend nearly burned her newly built apartment down the first time she used the oven. I noticed the manual (well ashes by then) was still in the oven when I got there. Sworn to secrecy, but don't think this counts :-p

dia in reply to gelstudiosMar 7, 2007. 2:03 PM

That anecdote made my day. Thank you!

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Kiteman in reply to gelstudiosFeb 15, 2007. 10:26 AM

:-D

LasVegas in reply to KitemanFeb 16, 2007. 12:32 AM

According to Alton Brown, a Fire Extinguisher is the only Uni-tasker that is required in all kitchens.

zuixro in reply to LasVegasFeb 16, 2007. 6:13 AM

It's not a Uni-Tasker, I'm sure he has used it in at lest one episode for something else... Like an ice crusher... or a meat tenderizer... or.... umm... heavy weight.... I'm almost positive that he's used one for something before. Great instructable.

davidbacsik in reply to zuixroFeb 17, 2007. 10:32 PM

Nope, he doesn't want to mess it up, which is why it's the ONLY unitasker. It serves one purpose. To put out fires. It's like some modern day fireman in a tank.

dia says: Mar 7, 2007. 2:01 PM

This is amazing. Thanks for the idea! My boyfriends birthday is coming up. He loves fire and plays with it too much. So I think I'll make him a dark gothy fire extinguisher.

ve2vfd says: Feb 15, 2007. 5:45 PM

Well, it's quite cute, but just be aware that *any* modifications to an extinguisher will void it's conformity to any and all standards and fire codes.

It will most probably work fine, but if you have laws, ordinances or insurance requirements for extinguishers, the painted one will not "count".

chipster in reply to ve2vfdFeb 16, 2007. 11:04 AM

This is 100% correct.

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Kiteman in reply to ve2vfdFeb 16, 2007. 3:46 AM

Maybe it would be OK if this was the "spare"? Keep the pink extinguisher handy when cooking a romantic meal for two, but rely on the professionally-installed Halon system for full-scale family meals?

lemonie in reply to KitemanFeb 18, 2007. 1:34 PM

Can you still get Halon systems? I'd though these were no longer permitted (maybe it's just EU?) due to their ozone-detroying effects. I like the use of 'her' - my dad bought my mum an extinguisher (which WAS used - dry-powder). Always seems to be women who have the most problems with fire... or does it?

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Kiteman in reply to lemonieFeb 18, 2007. 1:41 PM

(Clears throat) Ahem, it was a joke...

BTW, it seems Halon is illegal after all.