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Home Repair Remodeling Kitchens

Repairing or replicating custom fridge/cabinet paneling

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I've bought a condo with a built-in fridge that has paneling that matches the cabinets, and I really like the finish except there's one problem: the fridge door opens the wrong way.

Fridge · More Info

The developer has proposed moving the handle to the other side to fix this and repairing the previous holes, but their repair on a sample panel is pretty noticeable. It seems to use some blueish filler that does not blend well at all.

Fridge · More Info

Fridge · More Info

Ideally I'd like the panel to be replaced, but they've said it was custom and cannot be purchased again. They have not clarified what they mean by this, but assuming the original manufacturer has completely disappeared, I'm curious what other repair or replication options there are. Does anyone know of services that can reliably replicate this kind of finish from a photo? Or does anyone have an idea on how to repair holes in the panel in a way that blends better?

I'm not sure exactly what the panels and finish are made of. Knowing this might help me research options. Googling around has led me to believe they are either particle board or MDF, with a laminate or veneer of some sort. Is there a way to know for sure, other than getting the developer to tell me? I've attached a photo of the edge of the panel in case that helps.

Fridge · More Info

Does anyone have any other ideas/options? One I had was to extract and apply/graft from the inside of the panel to the holes, but I think that'd still leave a visible outline.

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Comments (4)

Steve C
last year
The panels for appliances are generally made by the cabinet maker. This is definitely a laminate though idk what brand, there are so many nowadays. Whoever made the cabinets should be able to tell you which laminate was used (does the developer not know?), at that point its just a matter of having someone make new ones which is pretty straight forward.
artemis78
last year
Alternatively, just do a stainless panel, which looks like it would match the range at the edge of the photo frame.
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Hi Folks I know it was literally years ago but I just wanted to chime in and say what a great discussion thread this is/was. So many claims are made by sellers and "makers" - for what it's worth, I am going the opposite direction with my project for our own home. I am building new doors that will look like 1930's commercial chiller units, with big hinges and handles as well as adding several personal touches to the whole lot, like refashioned Chrysler wings emblems etc . The two fridges I am using are a liebherr wine/freezer unit and a Jenn Air Alaska model - see attached link and click on AA kitchen project .... might cause some heart palpitations for some, but perhaps a smile for others. BTW In one of my designs I overcame the issues around the toe kick by replacing the floor under the fridge with an insect proof perforated metal grill ... still strong enough to take the fridge and enabled cool air to vent up from the underfloor. Of course, we live in a temperate climate so this may not be an option for N. America. best wishes from Kilmore, Australia Steve Ansell Here is a link that might be useful: Steve Ansell
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when I was cabinet shopping Diamond didn't offer a proper cabinet for the built-in Liebherr. The 30" Liebherr requires a 29 1/2" wide cutout. That little detail really messed things up. I can't remember exactly what the issue was, but would have caused me to have a lesser cabinet for significantly more money. That was the primary reason I went with custom. And I'm SO glad I did! Custom didn't cost much more and there were no design compromises, I got exactly what I wanted. Custom inset cabinets installed cost about 5% more than Diamond full overlay installed. ~Jay
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Thanks for replying Marcydc. Your doors look very nice. On the left side of your fridge it looks like the side panel of the niche doesn't show. Is this because the installers attached the fridge on the left side to the pantry cupboard or to another 5/8" panel that is covered up by the door panel when the door is closed. You had to have an end panel on the right side b/c that side is exposed. I'll have filler strip there between the fridge and a wall so I won't need a finished side panel unless the front edge shows when the door is closed. I'm having the very dark IKEA cabs installed. What I'm trying to figure out is if the front edges or sides that form the niche are visible when the doors are closed or if they are covered by the door panel in the same way that frameless cabinet doors cover up the cabinet box. If they only show when the door is open I could just use the standard hi cab cupboard sides which are white. If the panel forming the niche is not covered by the door panel then I have to buy 2 of the way more expensive dark finished panels. Since they charge $450 to install I want to make sure everything is prepared correctly.
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I am with you - i like to hide the refrigerator because they're not especially beautiful and detract from the look of simplicity that you're trying to achieve - I have a car, and it's a car - but i don't necessarily wish to stare at the engine or exhaust system... One potential solution - make you're door panels longer on the one side where the channel runs from top to bottom - that way, rather than trying to pull the drawer open from the middle you pull it open from one side - You may already have solved this problem however, looking at the date of this post. Good Luck!
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Fori
last year
last modified: last year
The problem is that even if you can find the laminate (if it's new, you probably can), it's possible that it won't be a perfect match due to different dye lots. And this is so integrated into the rest of the kitchen, any difference will be noted.

Your guy sucks at hole filling. It should look better than that.

(ETA, are the diagonal lines applied scratches or are they part of the laminate?)
ci_lantro
last year
I would glue some flat rivet heads in the old holes--maybe paint them to blend with the laminate and call it good.

Like the button type covers that are used on regular refrigerators that have reversible swing doors. Will end up looking like it was intended.

Such a small thing that it would not be worth the expense or bother replacing the door.

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