How to Fix Scratches on a Stainless Steel Refrigerator

I need to know how to fix scratches on a stainless steel refrigerator.

I would rate that the only useful purpose of children’s art on the fridge.

That hides it but doesn’t fix it.

I’m guessing you don’t want to say that’s the style of the day.

Whether stainless steel with a mirror like reflection or dull gray, you still want the metal sheet to have the same burnished smooth look – except now it doesn’t.

Before you freak out, wipe it down with a mixture of vinegar and water or plain water to remove it. After all, it might be minor trace marks of pencil or a blemish, not scratch.

That works on fingerprints. It didn’t work on this.

For fine scratches, you could use non-abrasive cleaners to try to buff the stainless steel.

The appliance manufacturer sells cleaners for it.

You should find out what type of stainless steel appliance you have, since the brand matters less than whether or not using an abrasive cleaner will make the matter better or worse. And you may be able to use stainless steel cleaners meant for sinks on your fridge and oven.

I’ve heard advice to use sandpaper.

Sandpaper shouldn’t be used unless you have deep scratches, and even then, it needs to be wet. Ask what the manufacturer recommends before you use high grit sandpaper and end up making the scratch look like a major valley on the fridge surface.

If I’m asking the manufacturer this many questions -

Or the people at the hardware store or appliance store.

I might as well buy their scratch removal kits.

There are scratch removal kits for appliances just as there are for cars. But before you use any of them, remember to buff and rub in the direction of the metal grain.

Of course, because going against the grain will cause more to flake or crack, and it will look worse.

All else fails, you can call in a pro to try to fill in the gash on the steel.

If it is that bad, I could try paint.

Paint tends to corrode and fall off, and it may be an obvious discoloration as soon as it dries.

Then what else could a professional do?

Replace the steel panel with another the same way they can replace the panels on the appliances from white to black if you want to alter the kitchen color scheme without buying new appliances.

I didn’t know they could do that.

There are professional steel restorers who fix this sort of thing, though they’ll charge more if they need to remove rust along with try to repair the scratch.

Stainless steel is rust proof.

Most varieties are corrosion resistant, not rust-proof. The pros that can take out scratches and rust can take out dents, too.

I’ve heard dented stainless steel has to be replaced.

Depending on how things are assembled, it could be as simple as taking off the panel, dinging back into shape and replacing. Or you have a dent and you live with it as you might moderately bad scratches somewhat filled in.