How to remove dents in refrigerator door?

[Rick Lee]

Our fridge died last week with a house full of guests and after I had made a huge Costco run. After a manual defrost it was intermittent and, the tech said the board was going out. The part is NLA and, well, my folks kicked in for a new one as our Xmas gift. It was just delivered and the big JD Power & Assoc. award stick-on medallion turns out to have been covering a sizeable dent in one of the French doors.



Mrs. Lee really beat them down on price yesterday, so we stole this thing, they delivered for free in under 24 hrs. and I'm not about to throw out all the food I just moved around and go shop for another fridge. This was the last one they had avail. Anyway, how to repair this dent other than stick some photos and magnets over it? I was thinking of doing it like PDR by just drilling a tiny hole on the inside and massaging it out, then filling the hole with a rubber grommet. Is there a better way?

[HardDrive]

I think the PDR route is the way to go. Might want to call a reputable local guy and ask him if he has done that kind of thing. The steel on a fridge door might behave differently than auto body.

I'm always amazed what those guy can do. I had a nasty ding on the top of the fender on my Boxster. Arctic Silver car. Only took the guy a 1/2 hour, and it was gone. Indistinguishable from any angle/light.

[Charles Freeborn]

Probably can get a new door skin for it.....
Otherwise you'd have to pull the door skin and massage from the back side. It'll never look new, unless you're a way above average metalworker.
Maybe put that sticker back on?

[Rick Lee]

Yes, I've seen the PDR guys work miracles. Looks like pulling the door skin would be a ton of work and rife with risk of making other creases/dents in the process. Time to browse Youtube while pretending to work.

[nota]

stick a sticker/kid art/old smart phone or tablet over it

[creaturecat]

that looks terrible.
a new skin is the only solution. sometimes they are reasonably priced.
you bought a new fridge? you were not made aware of any damage? the sticker hid the damage?
me? i would take it back. or make them put a new skin on it.
we bought one that was delivered dented, home depot replaced the skin, a technician installed it at our house. a really simple install, took all of 15 minutes.

[MattKellett]

I'd raise hell until they fixed the panel.

No way I'd accept that on a new fridge, even if it was the last one they had in stock.

I think the only way they'd not be liable if it was an open box, as is sale.

[Rick Lee]

Ok, just called the store. The mgr. we dealt with yesterday isn't in today, but his boss is looking into it for me, sounded like they want to make it right. It's pretty obvious what happened, as the decal's outline is still clearly around the ding. Dunno who did it, could have been done at the factory. I can't think anyone at the store would have thought this would be overlooked by the end buyer.

[MattKellett]

They might even end up offering a replacement upgrade

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by MattKellett

They might even end up offering a replacement upgrade

I doubt it. It was on sale for $1298, marked down from $1999. Mrs. Lee got them down to $1000 and then sprung a 10% off coupon on them at the register. With 8.5% sales tax, we paid $997 out the door. I can't see them giving us a better fridge for that.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I doubt it. It was on sale for $1298, marked down from $1999. Mrs. Lee got them down to $1000 and then sprung a 10% off coupon on them at the register. With 8.5% sales tax, we paid $997 out the door. I can't see them giving us a better fridge for that.

That's the price you negotiated prior to finding the damage.

They still made money, maybe not a lot but they made money.

If they throw it back at you that "you got a great deal so whya *****in?" your only response should be "....had we known about the damage we certainly would not have paid as much as we did for it."

[creaturecat]

stand by your guns, so to speak, on this one.

[rick-l]

magnets won't stick to that stainless steel very well. I think they fill the door with expanding foam so PDR might be out and it looks like some shrinking may be required anyway.

Your options may be live with it or get a new one.

[Tobra]

I can send you a Redline Oil sticker to put on it

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I was thinking of doing it like PDR by just drilling a tiny hole on the inside and massaging it out, then filling the hole with a rubber grommet. Is there a better way?

You might actually call a good PDR guy for a quote/house-call. They could probably get that out without any drilling. They use glue-pulls and other methods that are "non invasive" with excellent results. The guy that did my hail-damaged car was a magician, and didn't drill a single hole. I'd refer him over, but he has since moved to TX...

[GWN7]

The store will contact the manufacture and they will supply a new door (if available). Takes about 5 minutes to remove the old one and put a new one on.

I can send you one of my grandsons creations from preschool to hang over it till the store/manufacture makes it right if you like.

[Rick Lee]

I do have a few paintings from close friends' kids to hang on the door. One is even a third grader's rendition of EVH's guitar, complete with Kramer decal on the headstock. If not sun faded, it might be worth something someday.

[DanielDudley]

Stick on chrome trim for cars. Lay it horizontally.

But you won't have to. They will get you a door.

[Bill Douglas]

Pelican Parts sticker with your next shipment of bits

[creaturecat]

how about a full length mirror? it helps with keeping the weight down. : )