There is a dent on the refrigerator: how to fix it at home

Like any other housewife, I love it when the kitchen is clean and cozy, because this is where we spend most of our free time. It is known that when creating comfort, every little detail is important. For example, in my kitchen there are cute figurines, fresh flowers, vases with fruits and sweets.

Coming home from work once again, I, as usual, “steered” into the kitchen to prepare dinner for my men. And imagine my surprise when I found a dent on the outer surface of the refrigerator! Also in the most visible place. Our mood was down, because we had no plans to buy new household appliances. Moreover, the New Year is just around the corner, so every penny counts.

Having abandoned all household chores, I started looking for ways to help get rid of the trouble. As it turned out, there is nothing complicated about this, and you don’t even need to call a specialist.

How to remove a dent with a hairdryer and dry ice on a stainless steel refrigerator

Before starting, you need to assess the nature of the defect in order to make sure that you can independently carry out and select an option for straightening the resulting depression. If there is a deep bend, peeling paint or tearing of the metal, repair the unit without putty, then you can paint or decorate the unit. If the integrity and coloring of the case is not compromised, then the thermal expansion method is suitable, which consists of heating the dent and cooling it sharply.

It should be taken into account that careless mechanical impact on stainless steel can lead to damage to the thin-walled metal. Do not strike around the defect or on the inside of the refrigerator with a regular hammer. This will not only cause destruction of the paintwork, but also serious damage to the device.

Attention! I do not recommend disassembling the door. In the absence of sufficient experience in assembling it, the tightness of the unit may be broken, which will lead to a change in the temperature regime inside it, freezing or rapid spoilage of products.

The most effective way to remove a dent on a refrigerator involves doing the following:

1. Clean the problem area. This will allow you to clearly assess the nature of the defect and remove all dirt.
2. Use a hair dryer to heat the perimeter of the damaged area. Set the temperature to medium and heat the defect area for 30-60 seconds. In this case, the metal should expand slightly.
3. Wear gloves. They will protect your hands from frostbite when working with dry ice.
4. Wrap it in suede cloth, which will prevent scratches on the stainless steel during the operation.
5. Apply ice and press on it in the center of the dent, and then rub it in a circular motion around the entire perimeter for 1 minute.

Once you remove the ice cloth, the indentation should straighten out. This will take about 2-3 seconds, and you will hear a pop, indicating that the metal has returned to its original position. If the situation has not changed, then repeat the procedure again.

How to disassemble the door of an Indesit refrigerator

In addition to the unit, the kitchen contains various furniture.
Due to the small space, when opened inaccurately, the door often hits neighboring objects with sharp corners, which leads to the formation of dents on its surface. To prevent the occurrence of such defects, rearrange the furniture, remove dangerous objects away, or hang the door on the opposite side, where contact with sharp corners will be excluded.

You need to disassemble and rehang the door in Indesit refrigerators as follows:

1. Remove all products from the unit.
2. Unplug it.
3. Wait until the refrigerator thaws. This will allow the seal to straighten, which plays an important role when adjusting the door to a new position.
4. Remove the plugs and unscrew the bolts with a screwdriver.
5. If there is a display, turn it off by disconnecting the wires located under the false panel.
6. Remove the handle from the door.
7. Loosen the bottom and top fastenings of the door.
8. Unscrew the bottom canopy and release the hinge.
9. Lift the door to remove it from the overhead awning.
10. The holes for fastening the refrigerator element are closed with plastic plugs; remove them.
11. Screw the bolts into the holes loosely to then adjust the position of the door.
12. Insert the bottom hole of the door into the bottom hinge pin and secure the hinge with the bolt.
13. Perform similar actions with the upper canopy.

At the end of the procedure, check the correct position of the door horizontally and vertically, as well as the tightness of the seal around the entire perimeter. Tighten the bolts if necessary.

Remove a dent in a refrigerator door using a suction cup

Most car owners know that using a pneumatic straightening suction cup can quickly eliminate small and large damage to the car body without first removing the paint layer.

This tool is also suitable for removing dents from the surface of a household appliance:

• clean any existing dirt, degrease the damaged area of ​​the refrigerator;
• attach the suction cup to the defect so that the edges of the tool fit tightly to the metal surface;
• pump out the air from the internal cavity (the space between the suction cup and the outside of the refrigerator);
• After removing the air and ensuring reliable adhesion of the device to the electrical device, proceed to remove the dent: slowly pull the suction cup handle in the desired direction, pulling the metal to the required level;
• blow air, thereby disconnecting the tool from the surface of the kitchen appliance.

If you don’t have a professional vacuum device, try removing a small dent using an ordinary plunger.

The use of a suction cup is only permissible if the paintwork of the refrigerator is not damaged.

Another convenient way to correct unevenness is to use a mini-lifter to remove dents on the car body.

The tool consists of a centrally located pin for the suction cup fungus and two rubber feet, which allow the device to be securely fixed to the surface and eliminate the risk of damage to the paintwork.

Using the tool you can remove dents up to 8.5 cm in size:

• clean from dirt, degrease the damaged surface, wipe it dry;
• select a fungus piston that is suitable in shape and size for the problem area;
• Apply hot glue to the piston, place the fungus on the defect, wait for the composition to crystallize (30-50 seconds);
• place the rubberized feet of the tool so that the central pin is located exactly above the glued piston, and insert the mushroom mount into the minilift adapter;
• Press the handles of the tool several times, repeat the movements until the dent is completely leveled. Remove the fungus using hot melt adhesive remover.

It is strictly forbidden to remove adhesive residues with sandpaper, a knife or other sharp objects.

Methods to correct the defect

How to level a surface using contrasting temperatures

The first step is to clean and degrease the work surface. It is recommended to use soft rags or paper towels. They should be cleaned with special products; they can combine a cleaner and a degreaser. There is no need to use cleaning products for kitchen or bathroom furniture. After cleaning, you need to heat the surface around the dent. Heating can be done using a regular hairdryer, it takes about a minute to heat up

According to the laws of physics, metal will expand when heated, so it is very important not to overdo it

After the area is heated, dry water should be applied to the damage (it is sold in pharmacies). It is wise to put dry ice in some kind of cloth so that the ice does not scratch the refrigerator. Next, use dry ice to treat the surface of the dent in a circular motion for about a minute. A loud bang will be a signal that everything went well. This cotton indicates that the metal has returned to its original form (or, at worst, close to its original form). If there was no cotton and nothing visually changed, then you need to do the manipulations again.

How to remove a dent on a refrigerator using a car suction cup

If you have a car vacuum suction cup, it is very easy to get rid of dents with its help. If there is no suction cup, then it is recommended to buy one, because... it will also be useful to car owners. Using the same mechanism, you can get rid of dents on a car. This suction cup is sold at an auto parts store. The only disadvantage of this device is its price, which is quite high. A good suction cup will cost from 5,000 rubles; the effectiveness of suction cups from a well-known Chinese site is a big question.

Just like in the above method, you first need to clear the workspace. After this, you need to apply special glue to the suction cup, which is sold complete with the suction cup. Next, you need to apply the suction cup to the dent. As soon as the glue has dried, put on the device, along the edges of which there are rubber layers (these rubber bands are needed to avoid damage to adjacent areas of the metal). You need to start pulling the metal with the handle (the handle is screwed onto the thread of the suction cup). A few movements and a dent as if nothing had happened. The remaining glue can be removed with plain water or a special product.

Trowel and rubber hammer against dents on refrigerator

First of all, it is worth noting that the use of a regular hammer is prohibited, because using it will further damage the surface. It is because of this that you will need a rubberized hammer and trowel to remove the dent. If you have no experience working with these tools, then it is better to abandon this method. The first step is to clean the surface on which the work will be carried out. After cleaning, the periphery of the dent is heated (you can use a regular hair dryer), then the defective area is completely covered with a trowel. Light impacts create a resonance that causes the dent to disappear.

Correcting a defect using compressed air

If you have a compressed air cylinder on hand (usually used for cleaning PCs and its parts), you can use it to get rid of defects easily and simply. You need to turn the can upside down and spray it on the damaged surface. Due to the formation of condensation, the metal contracts and returns to its original form, but if this does not happen, then you need to do this 2-3 more times, but there is a possibility that this method will not help.

Remove a dent in the refrigerator door with a trowel and a rubber hammer

This method is suitable if the area of ​​the surface defect is significant. To work, you will need a rubber hammer and a trowel - a spatula for plastering or working with tiles:

• degrease the problem area on the refrigerator;
• turn on the hair dryer and warm up the dent. Make sure that the temperature applied to the damaged surface is not too high. Otherwise, there is a risk of damaging the paint layer.
• turn off the hair dryer, place the trowel on the unevenness so that the spatula completely covers the defect;
• Lightly tap the entire surface of the trowel with a rubber mallet;
• As a result of the manipulations, the dent will straighten.

It is unacceptable to use a metal hammer instead of a rubber one to implement this method. Movements during the process of tapping the tool on the trowel should be leisurely and light.

Investigation of the damaged area

Of course, before directly restoring the aesthetic characteristics of the refrigerator, it is necessary to assess the nature of the damage and make sure that it is possible to independently repair the damaged area.

In other words, if the dent is characterized by such criteria as chipped paint, deep (clear) bends, metal tears, then it will not be possible to carry out restoration work without plastering the problem areas and completely repainting the refrigerator. If, to restore a dent, it is enough to press on the metal from the back side (Unfortunately, this cannot be done!), then you can remove such a dent on the refrigerator yourself.

Thermal expansion effect to straighten a dent in a refrigerator door

The method is based on the property of all physical bodies to expand under the influence of high temperature. Contraction of the metal surface after heating can help straighten the resulting dent on its own:

• clean the problem area from contaminants and degrease it;
• take a hair dryer. If you don’t have a tool, a household device designed for drying hair will do;
• turn on the device, direct the hot air stream to the damaged area of ​​the refrigerator;
• Apply the hairdryer to the defect for 30-60 seconds. The temperature of the appliance should be average to eliminate the risk of damaging the integrity of the seal located between the internal and external walls of the refrigerator;
• Turn off the hair dryer, fill a spray bottle with cold water and spray it onto the hot surface.

If the method does not bring a positive result after the first procedure, repeat all steps 2-3 more times.

Compressed air to get rid of dents in the refrigerator door

A can of compressed air (liquid carbon dioxide) is designed to effectively clean dust from your computer and its components.

This product can also eliminate defects on the surface of the refrigerator:

• remove dirt from the problem area, degrease;
• warm the dent with a hairdryer (2-3 minutes), turn off the device;
• put on thick rubber gloves;
• turn the can upside down and spray its contents onto the surface; Continue the process of treating the defect until the dent is covered with frost.

As a result of exposure to a sharp temperature change, the dent will straighten out. After removing the damage, clean the refrigerator from any remaining product with a soft cloth.

The method using compressed air can be repeated 2-3 more times if the first procedure does not bring results.

Minilifter (vacuum suction cup)

There are several models of this device on the market. Allows you to eliminate defects without subsequent painting. Easily aligns and locks in the desired position. Rubber supports prevent sliding on the surface of the refrigerator.

Minilifter

To activate it, you need to heat up the hot-melt adhesive and place it on the glue piston. Then a piston is installed on the device itself and the screw is adjusted. You need to level out the dent gradually, moving your handles. After removal, wipe the surface with alcohol or glue remover.

Removing a dent in a refrigerator door with carbon dioxide

This product copes with small and medium-sized defects. Sold in auto parts stores. Work algorithm:

• the working surface is washed and degreased;
• the recess is heated with a hairdryer;
• carbon dioxide is applied.

When a substance interacts with air, an endothermic reaction occurs. Due to this, the metal is instantly cooled. As a result, it is leveled. The procedure can be repeated 2-3 times, waiting 20-30 minutes between manipulations. The surface must be straightened carefully so as not to damage the paint.

Rating of the best refrigerators with thick walls

Decorating a dent on a refrigerator

If the defect in kitchen appliances is of significant size and depth, or the paintwork of the appliance is damaged, the dent must be filled with putty to prevent rusting of the metal elements of the appliance.

Decorating with putty

Removing a dent using putty involves several stages:

• grinding a surface area;
• removal of dust deposits;
• degreasing of metal coating;
• applying an anti-corrosion primer mixture;
• puttying;
• final surface grinding.

Work order:

• to grind dents of significant size, you will need a grinding machine; if the damage is small, sand the top layer of the coating (to the metal) manually using sandpaper with P80 abrasiveness - this grit value of the device is the most optimal, since it allows you to eliminate subsequent shrinkage of the putty mass;
• removing dust with a slightly dampened cloth is a mandatory step, which must be performed both before starting work and after sanding the putty;
• To degrease the surface of the refrigerator, prepare acetone or medical alcohol. Soak a cotton pad in the preparation and thoroughly wipe the cleaned surface;
• Apply a primer mixture to the dent (you can use a composition intended for repairing automobile bodies), wait until it dries;
• Prepare the putty for the procedure according to the instructions included with it. It is desirable that the composition used is also intended for body work;
• Place a small amount of the mixture on a rubber spatula and work it into the dent. If the defect has a significant depth, do not try to fill the concave area with putty at one time: make 3-4 layers, applying each subsequent one after the previous one has set;
• After the composition has hardened, sand the surface with fine-abrasive sandpaper.

Removing defects from a refrigerator by puttying has a drawback: the area treated with the mixture differs in color from the rest of the surface, and, in most cases, the device will have to be repainted - partially or completely.

Other decorative methods

• Small defects can be easily hidden behind beautiful decorative magnets.
• On the surface of the refrigerator, you can create an abstract geometric composition from strips of colored tape or decorate the household device with an intricate pattern.
• If you know how to draw, buy acrylic paints, a thin brush and try your hand at artistic painting. Before applying the drawing, degrease the surface and use a simple pencil to make a light preliminary sketch of the future image, then start working with paints.
• Napkins for decoupage: choose a suitable product, separate the top layer with the applied pattern and glue the image with any water-soluble glue (for example, PVA). To ensure that the design retains the brightness of its colors for a long time, cover it with several layers of special varnish.
• The easiest and cheapest way to hide dents on the device body is with decorative stickers. Before gluing the image, be sure to degrease the surface of the refrigerator.

Precautionary measures

There are many ways to eliminate dents on kitchen appliances, however, if you have never repaired metal surfaces before, the existing problem can only be aggravated by damaging the thin steel of the case with careless action.

If a dent has formed on the door of a household appliance, you should not dismantle it to fix the problem, since these actions can lead to a violation of the tightness of the appliance part.

In addition, some methods of correcting the defect may be unsafe for your health. Therefore, before starting work, carefully study the precautions to prevent damage to the device and deterioration of health:

the use of a method that involves using a rubber hammer and trowel to remove a dent requires extreme care, attentiveness and strict adherence to process technology; the temperature of solid carbon dioxide is about 80 ⁰C below zero, so when starting to work with it, be sure to wear thick gloves on your hands. Otherwise you will get severe frostbite.

Another dangerous property of dry ice is that if you use it in a poorly ventilated room, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air sharply increases, as a result of which loss of consciousness is possible. Prolonged inhalation of evaporating carbon dioxide increases the risk of respiratory arrest and death.

When using the method of eliminating a defect from a refrigerator with dry ice, be sure to open the windows and do not close them for some time after the repair.

Precautions during operation

The following describes ways to repair damage to the refrigerator body. There are a number of methods that carry risks for both humans and the refrigerator.

The following safety precautions should be observed:

• When using dry ice, you need to use special thick gloves and avoid contact with bare skin;
• It is necessary to ensure good ventilation of the area where repairs will be carried out;
• When using a rubber hammer, you need to act extremely carefully so as not to further damage the surface of the refrigerator;
• If you have no experience in removing dents and damage, you must first practice on metal plates that are as similar as possible to the areas of the refrigerator that will be repaired.

What to avoid when straightening out a dent in a refrigerator

In most cases, the metal at the site of the impact returns to its original shape on its own because it is under tension. If this does not happen within 3-5, measures should be taken. However, it is not recommended to do the following:

• disassemble the device door (this leads to a decrease in tightness);
• use an ordinary hammer and use it to process the edges of the damage (such manipulations will increase the dent and compromise the integrity of the paint);
• use primer and putties to level the surface (the treated area will differ in color from the main shade).

If you can't remove dents, don't worry. They do not affect the operation of the refrigerator. It is better not to take actions that will contribute to the leakage of freon and not to aggravate the defects on the door.

What not to do

You need to understand the type of damage. If the paint layer is not damaged, then there is no need to rush. The metal at the defect site is in a state of tension and it is possible that it will return to its original position. Simply heat the surface slightly and the dent should disappear.

If enough time has passed and the dent does not disappear, then you cannot resort to the following actions:

• Apply an iron hammer to the dent area. The coating will suffer even more, and the paint will become cracked;
• Disassemble the unit door. The refrigerator may lose its seal and the shape of the door may change. Loss of tightness will cause the compressor to start operating in a different mode and fail;
• The presence of a minor defect only affects the appearance. If the dent is small and it is not critical, then it is better not to touch it, so as not to damage the refrigerator by careless action. In the production of modern refrigerator models, thin metal is used, which is quite easy to damage;

The following recommendations will help eliminate minor defects. Larger and deeper dents should be left to professionals.

Other ways to get rid of dents on a refrigerator door

In addition to the method described above, you can straighten the damaged surface of the refrigerator using the following items:

• soft napkin or paper towels;
• thick fabric gloves;
• hair dryer;
• vacuum devices (plunger, mini-lifter);
• carbon dioxide in the form of a spray;
• compressed air cylinder;
• fine grit sandpaper, primer and putty.

Clean the walls or door of the unit first from dirt and dust with a soft cloth soaked in a soap solution, and dry the surface well with a dry cloth.

Dents inside the refrigerator

The formation of any irregularities on the internal walls of the device is associated with its production technology. Such defects occur when excessive foam subsidence and retraction of the thin body wall after foaming of the inter-wall space of the thermal insulation.

If the defect does not violate the seal of the case and does not impair the fastening of the shelves, then there is nothing to worry about. To clarify the degree of unevenness, call service specialists. In some cases, the unit may need to be replaced.

Tips for getting rid of dents on your refrigerator

• If you have never repaired surfaces before using a straightening suction cup, rubber hammer and trowel, practice performing these processes first on small pieces of metal, the structure and shape of which resembles the material from which the refrigerator is made.
• Instead of painting the putty damaged areas, the household appliance can be covered with a self-adhesive film - plain or with a printed image. Abstract drawings, panoramic images with views of the city or nature, self-adhesive collages are suitable for decorating refrigerators of any size and, subject to proper selection of the color scheme of the film, fit perfectly into the kitchen interior.
• Follow the rules for transporting the device when transporting it from a store to home or when moving to a new home.

The most important condition for maintaining the integrity of the surface of the refrigerator body is careful care of the device and its proper operation.

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