Good Questions: Painting a Steel Refrigerator?

2005_1_3_question mark.jpg Hello AT,

Do you have a source that can paint a stainless steel refrigerator a color?

We've been researching auto-body shops and a source that was recently written up by the Times, all without success. I've got a stainless steel fridge door that I want to paint to match cabinets. Aside from doing it by hand, I am hoping to locate a reliable source.

Thanks, Clare

Dear Clare, we don't, so we throw this out to the crowd.

We know that Martha Stewart does a lot of this and does it at Kalbacher's Auto out in the Hamptons. If you want to take a weekend, you can do it there. Closer to home, there must be a bunch of auto shops in Brooklyn or Long Island City that will do it. Readers, help! MGR

Comments (8)

I can't vouch for whether they will deal with a refrigerator or not, but the MAACO in Long Island City is the one that painted my mid-century built-into-the-wall (which was removable to this) clothes hamper; it was about $250 or so, and that was having them do it just a regular limousine black. Also had them to one for a friend in white.

posted by Curtis on 2005-07-13 12:54:36

Sorry for jumping onto this thread. It just made me think of something related. The 6 jets on our whirlpool type bathtub are completely chipped. It's some kind of cheap brass, or perhaps not even brass. Anyway, we are currently having the other bathroom remodelled and wanted the contractor to replace the 6 jets with chrome ones. Alas, the maker of the tub (Novi American) no longer exists and we've been quoted $500 to have the six jets electroplated. It's really not worth doing since the tub is barely 5 feet and not in the best of condition anyway. Not to mention, we're out of money. My question is, does anyone know whether spraying them with rustoleum (or any other good recommendations) will do the trick? I want a quick and cheap fix. Any thoughts you have will be appreciated. Thanks!

Reef

posted by Reef on 2005-07-13 13:49:58

Rather than painting, look for an auto shop that advertises powder coating. They often do this with custom-rims for cars and motorcycles. I believe it is a more durable finish that preserves the underlying metal texture.

posted by TeoNYC on 2005-07-13 14:41:35

I'll second what TeoNYC said. Try powder coating (also called electrostatic coating). It's what gets that smooth finish on metal furniture like file cabinets, etc.; and it's cheap.

posted by SteveK on 2005-07-13 14:53:27

Thanks for comments--actually, we DID find a source after I posted the question: Stone Services in the Bronx-- and they did a fantastic job on the fridge: 718 293-2055. They spray paint just about anything, file cabinets, wood furniture, etc. . . and they said the deal with stainless is using the right primer. They did a good job, but I would say that they are not really skilled at dealing with the general public.

FYI: Powder coating doesn't work in this application because it requires heat, and that would have ruined the plastic parts of the fridge doors.

posted by clare on 2005-07-14 20:53:44

I need a 4 year old refrigerator painted from
white to black.
Lewisville, texas 75056

posted by robert pollard on 2006-04-21 15:11:30

Hi,

I am the owner of Twenty Gauge.

You can have an auto body paint it but it should definetly be powdercoated to last, yet i am not sure that you can take all the components apart to avoid melting in the oven...

We have been specializing in refinishing this vintage steel furniture furniture for over a decade and have tons of one of a kind items and rare items that no one else offers for this type of vintage metal furniture.
We also POWDERCOAT ALL of our vintage steel furniture pieces and it is KEY-no shortcuts with this kind of metal furniture.
Contact me if you have any questions about anything related to this: vintage steel furniture, mid-century furniture, stainless steel furniture, but also metal, steel, shipping, etc... -does not have to be about buying! :)
We have sales and promotional offers from time to time in case you are interested in investing in this vintage steel furniture though!

PS: we gurantee our work and ship worldwide!

jc@twentygauge.com
www.twentygauge.com

posted by jc on 2006-10-05 11:08:45

Hi there,

I saw your post(s) on Apartment Therapy and since you so graciously offered your services I thought I would write you with my question! I just obtained an old metal barrister's bookcase in original condition, and though I would LOVE to have it repainted one day at the moment it will have to stay as is. It needs a bit of a scrubbing though, and I'm wondering if you could recommend the best method for doing so? I think I read somewhere that Comet or a similar cleaner works well, but I am afraid it will be too harsh so I wanted to verify that.

thank you so much in advance!

P.S. Do you have any colleagues in the Bay Area who paint these things? It would be a bit inconvenient to haul this big thing down to LA :) thanks!

Twenty Gauge answered:

Dear Dina,

Comet will work, yet I would suggest to first use simply water and some very fine steel wool (ie: 000)-you can always scrub out more, yet you cannot put it back once it is taken off!

No one in SF doing that that I know of...LA is not so far, take a fun trip down here and we will ship it back!

I used to live in the Bay Area...I know LA is considered the land of HELL by Noorthern Californians, but it is REALLY not THAT bad!!!...:)

Good luck! Remember, a bit at a time.

Also: start underneath/on the back-a non visible side/spot so that you can test the effect first!

JC Hryb