Dear TanningBeds.org,

I have one other question for now. Can the tanning beds be painted? The one I’m looking at has some surface rust spots.

Karen

Assuming the bed is metal, and since it is rusting, I will guess it is steel, then yes. Plastic is a pain to paint since it wants to peel and crack.

The key is to remove the paint and rust in the bad spots and sand the entire unit where you are painting with sandpaper or at least steel wool. This will give the paint something to stick to. A little primer is also recommended before you paint, then use steel wool over the the primer before applying the paint.

The problem with painting a tanning bed is it leaves you with two issues: Either you paint the entire tanning bed so it all matches (not easy, nor recommended) or the part you paint will look “painted”, since it is hard to match the paint. If the surface really looks bad in one area, painting that one area would be better than leaving it rusted, just try to match the paint as best you can and don’t buy dollar store grade paint. Be sure to use spray paint, not brush, in a well vented area, and cover everything else in the room. And obviously, disconnect from power and read the directions on the paint first.

Dear TanningBeds.org,

I bought a gym and tanning bed key from my apartment complex yesterday. I went
in last night and the tanning bed had cracked plastic inside where the bulbs
are (top and bottom of the bed), the casing sides were falling off and you could
see the wires and light bulbs, and the lid that closes over you wouldn’t stay
up and open completely on its own. Is it safe to use this bed?

(name withheld)

Ok, in my humble opinion, it is time to go somewhere else to get a tan and demand my money back. You don’t say what state you are in, but email me back and I will give you the phone number of the agency that regulated tanning for your state. This is not safe and you should not be expected to pay for this kind of service. Ever.