Removing Creases and Dents From Refrigerator Doors
The refrigerator sits in one of the most heavily trafficked parts of the home. The high amount of foot traffic past the refrigerator can lead to dents, dings and creases in the doors, and those imperfections can mar the appearance of the appliance. If you act quickly, you may be able to repair those dents and creases using items you may already have around the home.
Temperature Difference
Creating a sudden change in temperature is often enough to pop out small dents and creases in refrigerators and other appliances. Start by plugging a blow-dryer into the electrical outlet closest to the dented part of the refrigerator. Then turn the dryer on at its highest (hottest) setting and direct it toward the refrigerator panel to warm it up as much as possible. Once the dented area is as hot as you can make it, take a can of compressed air and hold it about 6 inches away from the surface. Spray the surface for about 30 seconds, or until you see the dent begin to pop out.
Dent Puller
If you have a heavily dented refrigerator door, you can use the same type of dent puller used on cars to try to remove it. Be careful when applying the suction cup to the door, as you could scratch or damage the surface. After the suction cup is firmly in place, pull on it lightly, exerting just enough pressure to loosen the dent and pull it back into line. If the crease or dent does not come out right away, exert additional pressure until it pops out.
Dry Ice
You can repair a dent in a refrigerator door using nothing more than dry ice. Dry ice is widely available, both online and off, and it costs only a few dollars a pound as of publication. The downside is that you have to wear gloves to protect your hands from the extreme cold of the dry ice. To remove the dent, simply hold the block of dry ice up against the refrigerator door for a few seconds at a time and then pull it away. Repeat the process until the dent is no longer visible.
Check the Surface Often
No matter which method you use to remove dents from your refrigerator door, you can achieve better results if the dents or creases are small. Once the dents are extensive it can be extremely difficult to remove or disguise them adequately. At that point, the only choice may be a new refrigerator door panel. Keeping an eye on your refrigerator doors and addressing any new scratches, dents or dings is the best way to keep your fridge looking like new.
References
Writer Bio
Based in Pennsylvania, Bonnie Conrad has been working as a professional freelance writer since 2003. Her work can be seen on Credit Factor, Constant Content and a number of other websites. Conrad also works full-time as a computer technician and loves to write about a number of technician topics. She studied computer technology and business administration at Harrisburg Area Community College.
Photo Credits
- Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
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