How to Install Magic Chef Dishwasher Dishrack Vinyl Touch-Up Paint, 4-oz (Silver Atlantis) 4396853 in a Kenmore Dishwasher
Quick answer: Pull the rack out of the Kenmore dishwasher, sand each worn tine down to clean metal, wipe it with rubbing alcohol, and brush on a thin coat of 4396853 vinyl paint. Let it dry, add a second coat, then cure the rack in a warm dry spot for at least a day before running a cycle.
Dishrack vinyl touch-up paint 4396853 is a brush-on repair for the coated wire racks in Whirlpool-built dishwashers, including the many Kenmore models that start with 665 and 465, plus KitchenAid and Whirlpool units such as KUDS03FSBL1 and KUDU03FTBL0. When the vinyl cracks at the tips of the tines, the steel underneath rusts, and that rust stains dishes and eventually eats through the wire. Sealing the bare spots early is far cheaper than replacing a whole rack. This 4-oz bottle in Silver Atlantis matches the gray-silver racks used in those machines and replaces the earlier numbers W10282479 and W10549851.
The paint is not a structural fix. It works on tine tips, small chips and worn contact points, not on tines that have already broken off or on a rack whose frame is rusting through. This guide explains how to prep the rack so the paint bonds, how many coats to apply and how long to wait before the rack goes back into a hot wash. Preparation and curing time matter more than the painting itself.
See part details and every compatible model: 4396853
- Work in a ventilated space; vinyl paint solvents are strong and should not be breathed in a closed kitchen.
- Keep the bottle away from the range, pilot lights and any open flame while the paint is wet.
- Wear gloves and keep the paint off skin; wash any contact promptly.
- Let the rack cure fully before it sees hot water. Under-cured paint softens, peels and can end up on dishes.
Tools and Parts You Need
- Fine sandpaper or an emery board
- Small wire brush for stubborn rust
- Rubbing alcohol and lint-free rags
- Painter's tape to mask tines you are not touching
- Disposable gloves
- Old towel or cardboard to rest the rack on
- Well-ventilated work area or open window
Step-by-Step Installation
- Remove the rack and let it dry Slide the affected rack out of the Kenmore dishwasher and let it air dry completely. Paint will not bond to a damp tine, so do this at least an hour after the last cycle.
- Find every bare or rusty spot Turn the rack under good light and mark each cracked tip, chip or rust bloom. Check the tine tips, the corners of the frame and any spot where dishes rub.
- Sand the damage to clean metal Sand each spot until the rust is gone and the edge of the surrounding vinyl is feathered smooth. Use the wire brush on heavy rust, then finish with sandpaper.
- Clean the surface Wipe every sanded spot with rubbing alcohol on a lint-free rag and let it flash off. Any grease or dust left behind will lift the paint later.
- Mask if needed If the damaged spots sit next to good coating you want to keep neat, wrap a little painter's tape around the neighboring tines. Shake the bottle of 4396853 well before opening.
- Brush on the first thin coat Apply a thin, even coat with the bottle brush, covering the bare metal and overlapping the sound vinyl slightly. Thin coats bond and cure better than one thick blob that sags.
- Dry and recoat Let the first coat dry to the touch, then apply a second coat over the same spots to build thickness. Tine tips usually need the extra coat because they take the most wear.
- Cure before use Set the rack in a warm, dry, ventilated spot and leave it a full day or more, as the product label directs. Reinstall in the dishwasher only when the paint is hard and no longer smells strongly.
Fit Checks Before You Call the Job Done
- The repaired spots are smooth and fully covered with no bare metal showing at the edge of the patch.
- The paint is hard and does not dent under a fingernail before the rack goes back in.
- No drips or blobs hang from the tine tips where they could contact dishes.
- The rack slides on its rails normally after the repair; paint has not built up on rollers or the rail channel.
- Color blends with the surrounding Silver Atlantis coating well enough that the patch is not obvious.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Painting over rust Rust keeps growing under the paint and lifts it within weeks. Sand to clean metal first, every time.
Applying one heavy coat A thick coat skins over on the outside and stays soft underneath, then peels in the first hot wash. Two thin coats beat one thick one.
Rushing the cure Running a cycle the same evening is the number one reason touch-up paint fails. Give it the full cure time even if it feels dry.
Skipping the alcohol wipe Sanding dust and dishwasher grease stay on the wire and stop the vinyl from bonding.
Using it on broken tines Paint cannot replace missing wire. A rack with snapped tines or a rusted-through frame needs a new rack, not touch-up.
Troubleshooting After Installation
Paint peels after a few washes The surface was damp, greasy or rusty, or the cure was too short. Sand the spot again, clean with alcohol, recoat and cure longer.
Rust stains still appear on dishes You missed a spot. Inspect the rack under strong light, especially the tine tips at the back and the frame corners, and repair every bare point.
Patches look lumpy or drip Too much paint at once. Lightly sand the lump smooth after full cure and apply a thinner coat.
Paint is thick or stringy in the bottle The bottle was left open or is old. Recap tightly between uses; if it has gelled, replace it with a fresh bottle of 4396853.
Care Tips After the Repair
- Check tine tips every few months and touch up chips as soon as they appear, before rust takes hold.
- Load dishes gently; dropping heavy pots on the rack is what cracks the vinyl in the first place.
- Cap the bottle tightly and store it upright, away from heat, so it stays usable for later repairs.
- Avoid abrasive scrubbing on the racks; use a soft cloth when cleaning them.
Compatible Models (Sample)
This part is listed for 68 Kenmore models in our fitment data. Always confirm your exact model number on the appliance's rating plate.
Replaces or is replaced by: W10282479, W10549851
Repair Difficulty and Time
Difficulty: Easy. Typical time: 20 to 40 minutes plus at least one day of curing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which dishwashers is touch-up paint 4396853 meant for?
It is made for Whirlpool-built racks including KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Maytag, JennAir, Amana, Inglis, Roper and Kenmore models beginning with 665 or 465. Our fitment data lists 68 models, including KUDS02SRBL4 and 66513114K701.
How long before I can run the dishwasher?
Wait at least a full day in a warm, dry spot and follow the cure time printed on the bottle. Hot water on soft paint causes peeling.
Can I use this on a rack with tines that broke off?
No. The paint seals coating damage only. Missing tines need a tine cap kit or a replacement rack.
What numbers does 4396853 replace?
It supersedes W10282479 and W10549851, so either of those references on an older parts list points to this bottle.
Final Checklist
- Rack removed and completely dry
- All bare and rusty spots located and marked
- Damage sanded to clean, feathered metal
- Spots wiped with rubbing alcohol
- Two thin coats of 4396853 applied
- Rack cured a full day in a ventilated space
- Rack slides normally on its rails after reinstall