Precautions when working at home
There are many ways to eliminate dents on kitchen appliances , however, if you have never repaired metal surfaces before, the existing problem can only be aggravated by damaging the thin steel of the case with careless action.
ADVICE! If a dent has formed on the door of a household appliance, you should not dismantle it to fix the problem, since these actions can lead to a violation of the tightness of the appliance part.
In addition, some methods of correcting the defect may be unsafe for your health. Therefore, before starting work, carefully study the precautions to prevent damage to the device and deterioration of health:
- the use of a method that involves using a rubber hammer and trowel to remove a dent requires extreme care, attentiveness and strict adherence to process technology;
- the temperature of solid carbon dioxide is about 80 ⁰C below zero, so when starting to work with it, be sure to wear thick gloves on your hands. Otherwise you will get severe frostbite.
ATTENTION! Another dangerous property of dry ice is that if you use it in a poorly ventilated room, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air sharply increases, as a result of which loss of consciousness is possible. Prolonged inhalation of evaporating carbon dioxide increases the risk of respiratory arrest and death.
When using the method of eliminating a defect from a refrigerator with dry ice, be sure to open the windows and do not close them for some time after the repair.
Have you removed dents from your refrigerator before?
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Diagnosis by exclusion
If the refrigerator works but does not freeze, the compressor may have stopped pumping pressure into the system.
Any work on the refrigerator is carried out only when it is disconnected from the electrical network; violation of this rule may lead to electric shock.
You can check the functionality of a new refrigerator only two to three hours after installing it in a level working position and adjusting the legs. Without this, vibration will occur.
Possible malfunctions:
- If the refrigerator has completely turned off, first of all you need to check the socket and plug with known-good devices. More often than not, it's them.
- If the refrigerator hums when turned on, clicks are heard, the temperature regime is disturbed (everything inside melts) - the start relay is most likely broken, because of it the compressor does not turn on and the work cycle does not start. You need to remove this assembly to inspect it and the contacts. If necessary, replace it yourself, which is not very difficult.
- The refrigerator is not freezing, but you can hear normal operating sounds? There is a fairly reliable way to roughly diagnose the compressor: carefully touch it with your hand, but not immediately after starting the refrigerator, but after some time, it may be quite hot. This way you can understand whether it works at all.
- The sound of operation will also allow you to draw conclusions about the reasons - the compressor does not start or the reason is something else. A sharp grinding sound and the cessation of freezing is a sure sign of a stopped and cooling “heart”.
- The shutdown does not occur, probably the thermostat incorrectly determines the temperature, or the heat exchange cycle has stopped for some reason, including the compressor, which again needs to be checked for performance by temperature and sound.
- The refrigerator freezes - the same thermostat may be adjusted incorrectly. You can try setting a different value. In the worst case, this element needs to be replaced.
You may find this article useful on how to remove mold from a washing machine.
You can find out what to do if the washing machine makes a lot of noise during the spin cycle here.
Getting rid of damage using a suction cup
Most car owners know that using a pneumatic straightening suction cup can quickly eliminate small and large damage to the car body without first removing the paint layer.
This tool is also suitable for removing dents from the surface of a household appliance:
- clean any existing dirt, degrease the damaged area of the refrigerator;
- attach the suction cup to the defect so that the edges of the tool fit tightly to the metal surface;
- pump out the air from the internal cavity (the space between the suction cup and the outside of the refrigerator);
- After removing the air and ensuring reliable adhesion of the device to the electrical device, proceed to remove the dent: slowly pull the suction cup handle in the desired direction, pulling the metal to the required level;
- blow air, thereby disconnecting the tool from the surface of the kitchen appliance.
If you don’t have a professional vacuum device, try removing a small dent using an ordinary plunger.
ATTENTION! The use of a suction cup is only permissible if the paintwork of the refrigerator is not damaged.
Another convenient way to correct unevenness is to use a mini-lifter to remove dents on the car body .
The tool consists of a centrally located pin for the suction cup fungus and two rubber feet, which allow the device to be securely fixed to the surface and eliminate the risk of damage to the paintwork.
Using the tool you can remove dents up to 8.5 cm in size:
- clean from dirt, degrease the damaged surface, wipe it dry;
- select a fungus piston that is suitable in shape and size for the problem area;
- Apply hot glue to the piston, place the fungus on the defect, wait for the composition to crystallize (30-50 seconds);
- place the rubberized feet of the tool so that the central pin is located exactly above the glued piston, and insert the mushroom mount into the minilift adapter;
- Press the handles of the tool several times, repeat the movements until the dent is completely leveled. Remove the fungus using hot melt adhesive remover.
IMPORTANT! It is strictly forbidden to remove adhesive residues with sandpaper, a knife or other sharp objects.
Useful information: how to clean the drainage hole in the refrigerator.
Dismantling and “dialing” contacts
The instructions apply to the most common linear compresses in home refrigerators. It is necessary to have an electrical tester with the ability to measure resistance. Without it, the whole idea is completely meaningless. You will also need a blowtorch.
For dismantling you need:
- Use wire cutters to cut through all the tubes connecting the compressor (at the bottom of the refrigerator, black, shaped a bit like a ball) with other elements. A rapid release of explosive freon will begin. It is necessary to securely close the stove burners, avoid using electrical appliances and open as many windows as possible.2. After a few minutes, you can continue working: separate the remaining pipes using a torch, while the remaining refrigerant escaping will burn out. It's no longer dangerous. Then the compressor is removed from the base; to do this, unscrew several bolts.3. To open access to the necessary contacts, you need to disconnect the starting relay connected to the compressor using a screwdriver (three pins, similar to those that stick out from a regular electrical plug, are what you need).4. Using a tester, the resistance is measured on two contacts according to the “each to each” principle. The readings should differ from zero; for a new device their sum is approximately 40 ohms.
There are three possible cases of damage to the motor windings inside the device:
- break;
- breakdown on the capacitor;
- short circuit between each other.
The tester will show zero or huge resistance. One way or another, any of the listed options is a clear reason to replace the compressor.
- During installation, instead of old tubes, you need to insert new ones into the compressor, accurately and accurately connect them with the rest of the system, and then solder them with a torch. You will need to “adjust” the length using wire cutters.
Repairing a refrigerator yourself is not an easy task. Perhaps, having gone through all the “circles of hell”, a person who decides to do this will gain invaluable experience and even, perhaps, a new profession or at least a hobby - repairing household appliances with his own hands, which in itself is wonderful. Well, all that remains is to wish you good luck.
From this video you will learn how to determine the condition of the refrigerator compressor using a tester:
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Using a trowel and rubber hammer
This method is suitable if the area of the surface defect is significant. To work, you will need a rubber hammer and a trowel - a spatula for plastering or working with tiles:
- degrease the problem area on the refrigerator;
- turn on the hair dryer and warm up the dent. Make sure that the temperature applied to the damaged surface is not too high. Otherwise, there is a risk of damaging the paint layer.
- turn off the hair dryer, place the trowel on the unevenness so that the spatula completely covers the defect;
- Lightly tap the entire surface of the trowel with a rubber mallet;
- As a result of the manipulations, the dent will straighten.
IMPORTANT! It is unacceptable to use a metal hammer instead of a rubber one to implement this method. Movements during the process of tapping the tool on the trowel should be leisurely and light.
Applying the effect of thermal expansion
The method is based on the property of all physical bodies to expand under the influence of high temperature . Contraction of the metal surface after heating can help straighten the resulting dent on its own:
- clean the problem area from contaminants and degrease it;
- take a hair dryer. If you don’t have a tool, a household device designed for drying hair will do;
- turn on the device, direct the hot air stream to the damaged area of the refrigerator;
- Apply the hairdryer to the defect for 30-60 seconds. The temperature of the appliance should be average to eliminate the risk of damaging the integrity of the seal located between the internal and external walls of the refrigerator;
- Turn off the hair dryer, fill a spray bottle with cold water and spray it onto the hot surface.
REFERENCE! If the method does not bring a positive result after the first procedure, repeat all steps 2-3 more times.
Step-by-step instructions on how to defrost a Bosch refrigerator are provided here.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
In conclusion, we present a video on how to hang the door of your own refrigerator yourself.
Re-hanging the refrigerator door yourself, the design of which allows this, is not such a difficult task. The main thing is to act wisely and observe caution, as well as safety rules.
Hanging the door was originally intended for users, so it makes no sense to spend money on calling a technician.
The appearance of dents on the refrigerator can occur due to various circumstances - unsuccessful transportation, impact with other furniture, etc. It is impossible to repair significant damage without special equipment at home. The situation is much simpler if a small dent has formed on the refrigerator. How can I fix it without damaging the structure?
First of all, the nature of the damage should be analyzed. If the paint layer has not lost its integrity, like the body, you need to wait a while. The metal at the point of impact is in a state of tension and there is a possibility that it will return to its previous shape. Sometimes it is enough to heat the surface a little and the dent will go away on its own.
If this does not happen, the following actions cannot be taken:
- Disassemble the refrigerator door. This will lead to loss of tightness, since there is a high probability of changing its shape.
- Mechanical impact with a simple hammer on the area around the dent. This will only worsen the situation - there will be more damage and damage to the paintwork will appear.
- Use putty or primer for leveling. The result of such work will be a difference in shade at the site of damage. To eliminate this drawback, you will have to repaint the entire refrigerator.
It must be remembered that the presence of a dent only affects aesthetic qualities. If this is not critical, it is best to leave it unchanged. For the manufacture of modern refrigerators, thin-walled metal is used, which can be damaged by careless mechanical impact.
How to remove with a hairdryer and dry ice on a stainless steel device?
To work you will need a hair dryer and granulated dry ice:
- thoroughly wipe the surface with a damp sponge, then degrease and dry it with a paper towel;
- heat the dent with a hairdryer (set to low or medium temperature) for a minute;
- Place ice granules in the center of a small piece of suede fabric, fold the corners of the material to form a bag;
- turn off the hair dryer, apply ice to the defect and rub the entire perimeter of the damaged area in a circular motion.
If necessary, repeat all steps from the beginning.
How to remove a dent on a refrigerator
Basically, there are a ton of ways to fix a dent on your refrigerator. But we will present the simplest, safest and most effective ones. If you doubt the result, it is better to call professionals.
Vacuum suction cup (plunger)
This is the easiest way to fix the problem. But it is suitable, to a greater extent, for minor defects.
First of all, you need to clean the area from dust, dirt, magnets, and degrease the surface. Next, lean the rubber valve so that the handle of the tool is directly opposite the dent. Very slowly, without applying excessive pressure, level the area and remove the plunger.
If you notice that there is a result, but the dent is not completely removed, the procedure can be repeated. After finishing the event, wash the refrigerator, as rubber may leave marks.
Temperature effect
For this method you will need a hair dryer and ice cubes. In this case, the laws of physics will apply. Heat the area with a hairdryer, placing the device at some distance. As soon as the surface is heated, it must be immediately cooled with ice. This method of thermal expansion is quite effective, but if after several attempts the situation does not yield positive results, then it is better to give up trying and call special services.
Compressed air
Compressed air cylinders can be purchased at hardware stores. The essence of the method is as follows:
- wash the area with the dent and apply a degreaser;
- heat the defect with a hair dryer (regular or building);
- sharply spray compressed air.
In this case, the same laws of physics apply. When heated, the material will first expand and then sharply contract, which will ensure leveling of the surface.
Disguise
If the dent is small in size and, in principle, does not bother you, then it can simply be disguised. Fortunately, now you can buy special stickers, stickers, and magnets. When choosing an “assistant” in camouflage, give preference to light glossy coatings or rich prints. In this case, the difference will be insignificant and almost imperceptible.
Correcting a defect using compressed air
A can of compressed air (liquid carbon dioxide) is designed to effectively clean dust from your computer and its components.
This product can also eliminate defects on the surface of the refrigerator:
- remove dirt from the problem area, degrease;
- warm the dent with a hairdryer (2-3 minutes), turn off the device;
- put on thick rubber gloves;
- turn the can upside down and spray its contents onto the surface; Continue the process of treating the defect until the dent is covered with frost.
As a result of exposure to a sharp temperature change, the dent will straighten out . After removing the damage, clean the refrigerator from any remaining product with a soft cloth.
REFERENCE! The method using compressed air can be repeated 2-3 more times if the first procedure does not bring results.
Methods to correct the defect
How to level a surface using contrasting temperatures
The first step is to clean and degrease the work surface. It is recommended to use soft rags or paper towels. They should be cleaned with special products; they can combine a cleaner and a degreaser. There is no need to use cleaning products for kitchen or bathroom furniture. After cleaning, you need to heat the surface around the dent. Heating can be done using a regular hair dryer; it takes about a minute to heat up. According to the laws of physics, metal will expand when heated, so it is very important not to overdo it.
After the area is heated, dry water should be applied to the damage (it is sold in pharmacies). It is wise to put dry ice in some kind of cloth so that the ice does not scratch the refrigerator. Next, use dry ice to treat the surface of the dent in a circular motion for about a minute. A loud bang will be a signal that everything went well. This cotton indicates that the metal has returned to its original form (or, at worst, close to its original form). If there was no cotton and nothing visually changed, then you need to do the manipulations again.
How to remove a dent on a refrigerator using a car suction cup
If you have a car vacuum suction cup, it is very easy to get rid of dents with its help. If there is no suction cup, then it is recommended to buy one, because... it will also be useful to car owners. Using the same mechanism, you can get rid of dents on a car. This suction cup is sold at an auto parts store. The only disadvantage of this device is its price, which is quite high. A good suction cup will cost from 5,000 rubles; the effectiveness of suction cups from a well-known Chinese site is a big question.
Just like in the above method, you first need to clear the workspace. After this, you need to apply special glue to the suction cup, which is sold complete with the suction cup. Next, you need to apply the suction cup to the dent. As soon as the glue has dried, put on the device, along the edges of which there are rubber layers (these rubber bands are needed to avoid damage to adjacent areas of the metal). You need to start pulling the metal with the handle (the handle is screwed onto the thread of the suction cup). A few movements and a dent as if nothing had happened. The remaining glue can be removed with plain water or a special product.
Trowel and rubber hammer against dents on refrigerator
First of all, it is worth noting that the use of a regular hammer is prohibited, because using it will further damage the surface. It is because of this that you will need a rubberized hammer and trowel to remove the dent. If you have no experience working with these tools, then it is better to abandon this method. The first step is to clean the surface on which the work will be carried out. After cleaning, the periphery of the dent is heated (you can use a regular hair dryer), then the defective area is completely covered with a trowel. Light impacts create a resonance that causes the dent to disappear.
Correcting a defect using compressed air
If you have a compressed air cylinder on hand (usually used for cleaning PCs and its parts), you can use it to get rid of defects easily and simply. You need to turn the can upside down and spray it on the damaged surface. Due to the formation of condensation, the metal contracts and returns to its original form, but if this does not happen, then you need to do this 2-3 more times, but there is a possibility that this method will not help.
DIY dent decoration
If the defect in kitchen appliances is of significant size and depth, or the paintwork of the appliance is damaged, the dent must be filled with putty to prevent rusting of the metal elements of the appliance.
Putty to the rescue
Removing a dent using putty involves several stages:
- grinding a surface area;
- removal of dust deposits;
- degreasing of metal coating;
- applying an anti-corrosion primer mixture;
- puttying;
- final surface grinding.
Work order:
- to grind dents of significant size, you will need a grinding machine; if the damage is small, sand the top layer of the coating (to the metal) manually using sandpaper with P80 abrasiveness - this grit value of the device is the most optimal, since it allows you to eliminate subsequent shrinkage of the putty mass;
- removing dust with a slightly dampened cloth is a mandatory step, which must be performed both before starting work and after sanding the putty;
- To degrease the surface of the refrigerator, prepare acetone or medical alcohol. Soak a cotton pad in the preparation and thoroughly wipe the cleaned surface;
- Apply a primer mixture to the dent (you can use a composition intended for repairing automobile bodies), wait until it dries;
- Prepare the putty for the procedure according to the instructions included with it. It is desirable that the composition used is also intended for body work;
- Place a small amount of the mixture on a rubber spatula and work it into the dent. If the defect has a significant depth, do not try to fill the concave area with putty at one time: make 3-4 layers, applying each subsequent one after the previous one has set;
- After the composition has hardened, sand the surface with fine-abrasive sandpaper.
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ATTENTION! Removing defects from a refrigerator by puttying has a drawback: the area treated with the mixture differs in color from the rest of the surface, and, in most cases, the device will have to be repainted - partially or completely.
Other decorative products
- Small defects can be easily hidden behind beautiful decorative magnets.
- On the surface of the refrigerator, you can create an abstract geometric composition from strips of colored tape or decorate the household device with an intricate pattern.
- If you know how to draw, buy acrylic paints, a thin brush and try your hand at artistic painting. Before applying the drawing, degrease the surface and use a simple pencil to make a light preliminary sketch of the future image, then start working with paints.
- Napkins for decoupage: choose a suitable product, separate the top layer with the applied pattern and glue the image with any water-soluble glue (for example, PVA). To ensure that the design retains the brightness of its colors for a long time, cover it with several layers of special varnish.
- The easiest and cheapest way to hide dents on the device body is with decorative stickers. Before gluing the image, be sure to degrease the surface of the refrigerator.
Decorating a dent
When you can’t straighten the surface, the only way to tear it down is to decorate. There are several effective ways.
Putty to the rescue
This is not the most suitable method of getting rid of damage, but it is effective. Helps level out deep defects. Features of the work:
- to remove roughness, the damage is cleaned with fine-grained sandpaper;
- a primer is applied to the treated surface;
- when it dries, the area is puttied.
To ensure that the treated area does not differ from the main color, it is recommended to carefully select the shade of the putty. It will not be possible to get rid of defects on a glossy surface using this method. The treated area will stand out against the background of the door. It is better not to undertake any manipulations or use other methods.
Other decorative products
When you can't remove dents on your refrigerator, you can use little tricks. Designers advise:
- hang 2-3 family photos or vacation photos;
- place pictures from glossy magazines, having previously laminated them;
- find images on the Internet that suit the interior, print them out and place them on the door in a chaotic manner;
- hang a collage of pictures or photos.
These solutions will help not only hide dents, but also transform the interior. You can change images depending on the time of year and prepare original solutions for holidays and anniversaries.
A good solution would be to arm yourself with paints and draw an original design on the door. In this case, others will not notice the defect, because it will be part of the composition. If you don’t have the artist’s skills, you can use ready-made pictures with an adhesive backing. In this way, it will be possible to create an original composition that will serve as an interior decoration.