At a Glance:
How to Remove Shallow Scratches a on Stainless Steel Fridge
How to Remove Deep Scratches on a Stainless Steel Fridge
Tips to Maintain Your Stainless Steel Appliances
Keep This in Mind Shopping for Scratch and Dent Appliances
Life is messy. Even if you carefully care for your appliances, they can get stained, dented, and scratched over time. This is particularly true if you live in a household with kids, who can accidentally leave scratches on your stainless steel fridge when they are running around with their favorite toys.
Look no further if you are dismayed by scratches on your stainless steel fridge and other appliances. Use this guide to reduce the appearance of scratches or remove them entirely from view. You can take action so your appliances look good as new.
How to Remove Shallow Scratches a on Stainless Steel Fridge
Before you can dive into how to remove scratches from a stainless steel refrigerator, you need to evaluate how deep they are. There are different processes for reducing the appearance of fine scratches that build up over time versus addressing deep scratches that were caused by a kitchen accident. Follow these steps if you want to address fine scratches.
- Clean the surface first. This will prevent abrasive items (like crumbs) or unwanted chemicals and oils from interfering with the cleaning process.
- Invest in stainless steel scratch remover. You should be able to find a few products online to choose from. Two common options are Bar Keepers Friend and Rolite Metal Polish. You can also try this process with baking soda to see if you can get similar results. Some manufacturers make their own cleaners specifically for their appliances.
- Follow the instructions on the scratch remover. This usually involves mixing the powder with a little water to create a paste. You can then wipe the paste over the scratch with a soft, damp cloth.
- Make sure you wipe with the grain. Look at your appliance to see if there are very fine lines going up and down the unit. This is the grain. Follow these brush strokes to remove shallow scratches. Never go against them or perpendicular to the grain.
- Once the scratch is removed, polish your appliance. You can rub a light coat of olive oil over your refrigerator or use a stainless steel polish on the front. This will make your refrigerator shine like new.
Know that this process can be applied to any appliance, not just your stainless steel refrigerator. Always check the direction of the grain and use a fine paste to remove existing scratches.
How to Remove Deep Scratches on a Stainless Steel Fridge
If you know that your scratches are deep, you can try to buff them out with a sander. This process isn’t difficult, but it can potentially damage your stainless steel even more if you aren’t careful. Follow these steps to remove scratches effectively.
- Start by cleaning the surface again. Regardless of the depth of the scratch, you need a clean area to work from.
- Soak your fine-grit sandpaper. Look for very fine sandpaper with a grain of around 400. Soak your sandpaper in water for several minutes before using it on your stainless steel refrigerator.
- Sand with the grain. Once your sandpaper is soaked, use a sanding block that will balance the pressure across the paper. This is better than using the pressure from a few of your fingers. Lightly sand the scratches going with the grain. Never try to buff out a scratch by rubbing in a circular motion.
- Check the scratch. Use a damp cloth to wipe the scratch and check to see if it is less noticeable than before. You might need to use a little baking soda or toothpaste as well to thoroughly remove any scratching evidence from your appliance.
- Finish with the olive oil. Just like the fine scratches, finish the project by wiping a little polish or olive oil over the refrigerator surface. This will highlight the good work you did.
If you aren’t sure that you can remove the scratches from your stainless steel appliances, call a professional to take on the job. You can work with a handyman who has handled stainless steel scratches before. You can also contact someone who works on cars because they are used to dealing with delicate exteriors.
Tips to Maintain Your Stainless Steel Appliances
Once you learn how to remove scratches from stainless steel, you can take steps to better care for your appliances in the future. Follow these tips to develop healthy habits when caring for your appliances. This way your brand-new refrigerator will still look just as good in 10 years as it does today.
- Wipe down your appliances frequently. Clean your appliances as often as you wipe down your countertops or do your dishes. Taking a damp cloth and removing grime after a busy day can prevent stains from setting in. A little work each day prevents big cleaning projects in the future.
- Check for signs of corrosion. Look at your appliances to make sure they aren’t wearing out or starting to rust – especially if you have an outdoor refrigerator and grill. The sooner you catch these issues, the faster you can prevent future damage.
- Don’t use abrasive cleaning tools. You worked so hard to remove scratches on your stainless steel fridge, the last thing you want to do is make new ones. Use a soft cloth when cleaning your appliances instead of brushes, pads, or other tools.
- Test home cleaning products versus commercial ones. You can find cleaning products made for stainless steel online. Test these out to see if they make a difference in the appearance of your appliances. You can also use a gentle soap or vinegar mixture to clean your items. Avoid using window cleaner on glass appliances or stainless steel.
Additionally, make sure you follow safety best practices when cleaning your appliances. Wear gloves to prevent chemicals from getting on your hands and consider wearing safety goggles to prevent them from splashing in your eyes. Make sure your kitchen is well-ventilated so you aren’t breathing in harsh chemicals.
Keep This in Mind Shopping for Scratch and Dent Appliances
Once you have experience removing scratches from your stainless steel appliances, apply this skill to save on other pieces. For example, you can visit the scratch and dent section of your favorite appliance store to see if you can find discounted appliances with minor cosmetic issues. These appliances are still fully operational, they just have a few scratches that are unsightly. You might get a good deal on a stainless steel refrigerator and then use this process to remove any scratches you see.
Scratch and dent inventory frequently changes, so you might not be able to find your dream refrigerator in stock. If you still want to upgrade your old appliance to a new model, ask about your financing options. A new, high-quality appliance might be more affordable than you think with the right credit card or payment plan.
FAQ
How do you get scratches out of a metal refrigerator?
There are multiple ways to remove scratches from your metal refrigerator. You can use gentle sanding tools to even out the surface and make your scratches less noticeable. You can also use DIY scratch remover kits. The right buffing compound can remove the scratches so your appliances look like new.
Is stainless steel easy to scratch?
Stainless steel isn’t a sensitive material, but it can scratch just as easily as any other appliance cover. It isn’t more durable and can start to look worn and scratched up over time. Most commonly, you might notice hairline scratches that are visible in direct light but aren’t as noticeable from far away.
Can scratches be removed from stainless steel refrigerators?
It is possible to remove scratches from your refrigerator through a process of sanding and treating the metal. You will want to remove the scratches carefully and potentially work with a professional to handle the work. If you aren’t careful, you might make your refrigerator look worse during the scratch-removal process.
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Shop Stainless Steel Refrigerators at Spencers
At Spencers TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at great prices — check out our catalog to shop Stainless Steel Refrigerators online today. Your friends in the business are always happy to help you find the perfect stainless steel refrigerator. Call us, or better yet, stop by at one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions. Visit us today!