It happened over time but by the time you realized it… it was too late.
You didn’t realize your refrigerator was rusting and now there are spots of rust all over it.
It’s common on those textured white refrigerators.
According to SF Gate, this is a result of oxidation and discoloration.
When your refrigerator is new, its baked-on factory finish is perfectly intact.
That coating prevents rust from forming. That finish starts to wear down and rust once it gets scratched and bumped. These rust spots can even affect stainless steel refrigerators.
There are a few ways to combat this. Dampen the rusted area of the outside of your refrigerator and use some baking soda to create a paste.
Let it sit for about a half-hour, then scrub with a toothbrush other soft-bristled brush until the rust is gone.
Rinse with some water and dry with a cloth. You can also try using equal parts lemon juice, instead of water, and baking soda to make your paste.
Using an oxalic acid rust remover, like Bar Keeper’s Friend Soft Cleanser or Kleen King Stainless Steel and Copper Cleaner, could work too.
There’s also the vinegar method.
Just pour some on a sponge or rag and rub the rust stains away. You’ll just want to make sure you steer clear of any cleansers with grain or abrasive surfaces like steel wool.
If that doesn’t work, then you’re going to have to end up painting your refrigerator.
First, wash your refrigerator with an all-purpose detergent and some warm water.
This way all the grease and dirt will be removed from the surface and it will be fresh to paint.
Use a paint gel remover that contains phosphoric acid over the rust with a small paintbrush and wait 10 minutes.
This will convert your rust into a neutral compound to prevent new rust from forming.
You can also try muriatic acid to dissolve the rust. If so, make sure you’re wearing gloves and a mask because that stuff is corrosive.
A non-chemical option is using 220-grit sandpaper to rust it off. Wipe the area with a rag but don’t get rid of all the discoloration if you used the phosphoric acid method because what remains is a metal primer that works as a good undercoat for touch-up paint.
Protect the surrounding areas of your refrigerator and parts of the fridge that you don’t want to spray paint.
Sand the area with 220-grat paper to etch the surface so the paint will stick better.
You’ll want to spray the appliance with a color that matches your refrigerator.
Use back and forth strokes and overlapping by half the spray pattern and leave a full wet coat.
Then spray a coat using up and down strokes to prevent streaks.
Learn Refresh Living’s method for painting a rusty refrigerator in the video below.
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