The mailbox re-do that I shared on Tuesday was just the first project I tackled this week. The second, on my long list, was my vintage General Electric refrigerator. My neighbor's son found this in the basement of a house that he bought, and he was more than happy to give it to me to get it out of the way! I brought it home, let it sit upright for 24 hours before plugging it in (I had to haul it on it's side), and discovered that it still works beautifully. So, all it needed was cosmetic attention. I can do that!
Here it is when I started on Tuesday morning.
I spent some time with a wire brush removing the rust, then sanded it and rubbed it down with some medium and then fine steel wool. Then, using appliance epoxy spray paint that I picked up, I set to work. For some reason, the paint took better on the kick panel than on the fridge body. Ironic, since I painted that piece in like 2 minutes, and spent two days carefully working on the body. The store is out of appliance epoxy, which means that I will have to wait to get a couple more cans so that I can try to bring a little more shine to it. Still, I think the transformation has been amazing!
Now I just need to order a new door seal. Once that's done, the fridge will take it's place in my kitchen, and my current fridge will find a new home in the garage (I have to have some freezer space!). Next major project - having my Tappan Deluxe restored to working condition so that it can join the fridge.
Have a great Thursday!
Looks fantastic! Great job and with a few more coats of paint I'm sure it will shine like the top of the Buick Building!
ReplyDeleteWow, very impressive! I am curious: Can I convince you to put an electric meter on it to measure electric use, for a story on my blog. I'll pay for the meter! Can you email me?
ReplyDeleteI'd be willing to do it if Michael isn't ready yet. Here's a post about my vintage firdge:
Deletehttp://practiceintime.blogspot.com/2010/04/chillin.html
Awesome! I can't believe it works. My dad had an old '40s fridge in our old basement for forever and I wish I hadn't let him throw it out.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I love it! Turn out great. I wish I didn't rent so I could have gems like this.
ReplyDeleteI meant, "turned out great"
DeleteIt's darling!
ReplyDeleteMy 1947 Frigidaire suddenly quit working. :( I don't know what to do about it.
http://shallowthoughtsfromiowa.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-1940s-general-motors-frigidaire.html
So sorry to hear about your Frigidaire! I don't know if a local repair guy could fix it or not, but my guess would be the compressor went bad. There are places online that convert them to modern compressors, don't know if you could get a local repair shop to do that or not. Good luck, and let me know if you are able to get it repaired!
DeleteGreat job Michael. You will love having a vintage fridge. I use our 1940 Hotpoint all the time and it is so neat just to hear the sounds it makes: the compressor kicking on, the "click" of the door closing; all just seem so old fashioned.
ReplyDeleteAnd Pam- I do believe I read an article somewhere that since the older fridges don't have all the electric-hogging do-dads that modern ones do (auto defrost, ice makers, etc...) and are better insulated that they are more energy efficient than new.
Wow! you did a great job! Where can I order the seal??Mine is getting cracked and brittle.
ReplyDeleteI am looking at them from this place. http://store.antiqueappliances.com/Door-Gaskets_c_8.html
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