I Made the World's First Red Flair 58

My DIY Toolkit: https://kit.co/itsxris

I love the Flair 58. It’s a beautiful machine and pulls fantastic shots of espresso. But there was one tiny problem: it looked like every other Flair 58 on the planet. Industrial black.

So naturally, I voided the warranty (seriously though, this very likely voids your warranty) and made it red, because I wanted to prove that espresso machines could have a personality too. Here’s how I did it.

Step 1: Disassembly

First things first, unplug the machine. Then, start taking it apart. Set aside the plunger, heating element/group head, and portafilter.

Basically, remove anything that looks important. You’ll be painting the frame, not the parts that actually make coffee happen.

Step 2: Mask

You don’t want paint on the LED, button, Flair badge, or the handle—unless you’re going for that “oops” aesthetic.

So grab some masking tape and go to town. Be precise. This is the step where Future You will either thank or curse Present You.

Step 3: Sand

Use a coarse grit sandpaper (I used 80 grit) to rough up the metal surface. You want that primer to cling for dear life to the metal.

Step 4: Prime

Spray on a solid coat of primer (this is the one I used). No need to get fancy—just even coverage and no drips. Let it dry overnight. Then, hit it again with a fine grit sandpaper (180 or higher) to smooth out any bumps. Yes, sanding again. Yes, it’s worth it.

Step 5: Paint

Wipe off the dust from sanding. Then it’s time to paint. I used a satin red but here's where you can really let your personality shine. Apply your first coat evenly. Let it dry overnight.

I also painted the heads of my exposed screws white by sticking them through some cardboard and hitting it with a coat of white paint/primer combo.

Step 6: Second Coat

If necessary (aka if it looks blotchy or sad), give everything a gentle sand with that fine grit again. Then apply your second coat of paint. Let that dry overnight.

Step 7: Clear Coat

To protect your machine's new look, finish it with a clear coat of choice - I used a satin finish. Let it dry overnight (you knew this was coming). This is the last one, promise.

Step 8: Reassemble

Now for the fun part: putting it all back together and admiring your work. The result? A one-of-a-kind, red-hot Flair 58 that actually makes your countertop look cooler. Functionally the same, aesthetically miles ahead.

Final Thoughts

Would Flair ever release an official red version? Maybe. But until then, I’ll be pulling shots on the world’s first and only one.

And yes, it tastes better. Don’t ask how — I don’t make the rules.

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