Repairing scratches on smudge-proof stainless steel fridge?
Kate Bolton
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (11)
Joseph Corlett, LLC
6 years agoPatricia Colwell Consulting
6 years agoRelated Discussions
'Smudge-Proof' Stainless Steel Appliances?
Comments (40)The Frigidare Gallery series is the best!!! It's stainless without the upkeep. Windex and a paper towel and it looks like new. Almost zero effort. I don't know why SS isn't offered in smudge free. Over had my fudge for 5 years, looks like the day I bought it. I just ordered the Gallery microwave. They have matching handles. Love Frigidare Gallery!!!!...See MoreScratches on Stainless steel appliances: Help
Comments (24)I had a new refrigerator delivered in the morning, and by evening it had scratches all over it! Yikes! This was from magnets. I was sick to my stomach all night long! Rule #1: Never put anything on the face of a stainless steel appliance! Stainless steel is a rather soft metal alloy (compared to some other metals). The magnets themselves didn't scratch it, but the micro-particles of dirt did. Anything held tightly to the metal will scratch it. Even if you put some tape or cloth between the magnet and the metal… The scratches were at eye level, so whatever solution I embarked on to remove the scratches demanded much care. Several posts talked about solutions to stoves and sinks, which are, by their nature, *expected* to get scratched up a million times over. Removing scratches from a refrigerator is a whole different animal! I began by checking out this forum and several others and even watching a couple of videos. None of them worked as prescribed and I'm about to tell you why. Every stainless steel appliance is different. Some faces are harder than others. Some have a heavy brushed look. Other don't or to a noticeably lesser extent. So the optimal solution for my refrigerator will be different than the optimal solution for my dishwasher, etc. So what I learned through this process is that it is just that -- a process. You will have to experiment. There is no silver bullet for an answer. I tried an abrasive hand cleaner, chrome polish, polishing compound, and steel wool and Scotch-Brite with WD-40. I will talk about each of these shortly, but first, I can't stress enough HOW IMPORTANT IT IS to rub in the SAME direction as the existing grain buffed into the finish at the factory. It is easy and perhaps habitual to hand rub in an arc, oval, or circular motion -- no matter what product you use. You must discipline yourself to rub in straight lines only -- the same direction as the grain. I also found it wise to use a wood block (or other rigid object) for evenness in the rubbing rather than the uneven pressure of my fingers. So in every case, I used a cloth with some product applied to it and wrapped it around a small wood block which I held in my hand. The abrasive hand cleaner improved the scratches, but didn't remove them completely -- even after about 5 applications, wiping it off and using Stainless Steel cleaner and polish after each. I needed something more abrasive. Next, I used Turtle Wax Chrome Polish. This is a micro-abrasive paste. It was more effective in removing the scratches and the rag turned black from the fine particles of steel rubbing off onto my rag, but it had an unfortunate side effect. It’s grain was too fine for my refrigerator, and it was obvious where I rubbed and buffed with the chrome polish. It appeared darker in that area. That region was now more polished and lost some of the brushed look of the rest of the finish, and so it was obvious that I tried to fix the problem. Now, I not only had to remove the scratches, but I had to add back the brushed look of the stainless steel. I will never use chrome polish again, except perhaps... on chrome! Next, I tried Turtle Wax Polishing Compound which is a little rougher-grit paste than chrome polish. This wasn’t as effective at removing the scratches -- although by now, they were only half as deep. What I liked about the polishing compound, though, is that it brightened the dark region somewhat and restored the brushed look that was removed with the chrome polish. I still felt like I needed something with a little more abrasiveness, though. Next I tried steel wool soaked in WD-40. This was totally ineffective. So was the Scotch-Brite. It needed more bite. Perhaps trying steel wool without the lubricant (WD-40) would be better, but I didn’t try it. But I’m converging on a solution. I want to go out and buy rubbing compound, which is a step more coarse of a grit than polishing compound. But I haven’t and I won’t, and here’s why… My refrigerator developed two other unrelated mechanical problems and the manufacturer will be replacing my refrigerator tomorrow. With this in mind, I didn’t want to work on the scratches any further in the event I messed it up and didn’t have time to rectify it. So, I’m sorry to leave the readers hanging, but I feel very optimistic that rubbing compound is going to be the most effective -- for may particular refrigerator -- in both getting out the scratches, and leaving a finish that is very similar to the factory’s brush look. But keep in mind that experimentation is key. Rubbing compound may not be the best product for, say, my dishwasher, which was made by a different manufacturer. I hope this helps!...See MoreBest smudge-proof stainless steel?
Comments (5)theanimila, I really do like it. It's water only through the door, no ice, which is why it doesn't take up much room. The icemaker is inside the freezer drawer. My old Whirlpool fridge had the same cu ft, but for some reason this counter-depth fridge seems to hold so much more, maybe because it's wider and nothing gets lost in the back?...See MoreRemoving Scratches and Cleaning Wolf Stainless Steel Range Top
Comments (2)I actually used the scratch-b-gone kit that you can order online. It worked perfectly. I wish I would have taken before and after pictures. I used it on my GE Cafe appliances which are true stainless steel. My FIL who works has been in the steel industry for over 30 years was amazed that the scratch, whcih was actually quite deep, came off! I have to caution, I was afraid to use it at first, so I first tested it on my stainless steel Simple Human trash can. It took off all scuffs and scratches. Then I tried it on the lower side of my fridge and while there was no scratch there, it didn't make the surface look any different. After seeing it didn't harm these surfaces, I used the finger strip it comes with which is for deeper scratches and used it going with the grain on the scratchon my fridge door. Then I used one of the pads it comes with which is for lighter scratches to kind of finish it off and polish it. It comes with instructions and even a dvd showing you how to use the kit. It's fool proof! I know I sound like a commercial, but I was soo excited that I got the scratch off that I just wanted to share it with you since you are asking! Good luck!...See MoreUser
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoHU-920658894
5 years agoUser
5 years agoPeter Touchstone
4 years agohelbrod
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoHU-381003688
2 years agoHU-338165307
2 years agoJessica Day
4 months ago
Related Stories
HOUSEKEEPINGHow to Clean Stainless Steel
Protect this popular kitchen material with a consistent but gentle cleaning routine
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGHow to Keep Your Kitchen’s Stainless Steel Spotless
Consider these 6 cleaning tips for maintaining your stainless steel appliances and surfaces
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen Sinks: Stainless Steel Shines for Affordability and Strength
Look to a stainless steel sink for durability and sleek aesthetics at a budget-minded price
Full StoryKITCHEN COUNTERTOPS10 Great Backsplashes to Pair With Stainless Steel Counters
Simplify your decision-making with these ideas for materials that work well with stainless steel counters
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen Counters: Stainless Steel, the Chefs' Choice
Professional-grade strength and shining beauty unite in classic stainless steel countertops for the kitchen
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNSo Over Stainless in the Kitchen? 14 Reasons to Give In to Color
Colorful kitchen appliances are popular again, and now you've got more choices than ever. Which would you choose?
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGHow to Clean Your Fridge, Inside and Out
Keep your refrigerator clean and fresh, while you gain storage space and lose those ‘UFOs’
Full StoryKITCHEN APPLIANCESWhich Appliance Finish Should You Choose for Your Kitchen?
Find out which design situations call for stainless steel, black, paneled, white and colored appliances
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNAre Colorful Kitchen Appliances the Next Big Trend?
Move over, black, white and stainless steel — appliances in a variety of bright colors are starting to sizzle
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDES25 Design Trends Coming to Homes Near You in 2016
From black stainless steel appliances to outdoor fabrics used indoors, these design ideas will be gaining steam in the new year
Full Story
James Hymel