Letter 21724

How to remove scratches from stainless steel refrigerator doors?

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I recently, and accidentally scratched someones new Kitchen Aid double door rerigerator door. I cannot find anyone in Sacramento that does refinishing of such a problem and am afraid to take on the task myself, nor do I know how. Any suggestions. My friend's son rubbed most of the swirl scratches off with Brasso [link is to product info at Amazon], and there remains a little more, plus a sideways scratch above the water dispenser. Short of buying her a new refrigerator, which she wants, what can I do to rectify this problem? Is there anyplace I can contact who has refinishers of this trade?

Thank you,

Holly Hamilton
- Sacramento, California, United States

The first step is to determine what type of finish was used on the door. Rolled finishes are used on this type of product because they are the simplest to produce and lowest in cost. They are nondirectional and as such cannot be blended or repaired. If the product design calls for the removal of welds and the finish blended then a rolled finish is not used and this finish may be repaired using polishing methods since this is how the original finish was created. Look for a weld it is a good place to start. The Nickel Development Institute has a web site and a handbook #9012 with enough information to make you an expert on stainless steel finishes.

Michael C. Butler
restaurant equipment - West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.

Ed. note: Please also see our FAQ, "Repairing scratches in stainless steel refrigerator doors".

The Nickle Development Institute info is good to know. I have not checked it out yet, but my problem is with a high polish stainless steel Kenmore range. In my ignorance, I tried to rub out a scratch with a Brillo pad. No major damage, but I still have scratches I would like to eliminate. The SS cream cleaner that came with the range has not helped.

Looking forward to comments and will check out the website.

Thanks, Millie

Millie Woods
- Alto, N.M.

Hello! I am a mother of two small children who have scratched my stainless refrigerator doors beyond repair. Needless to say, I am in the market for a new Stainless Steel refrigerator and I was wondering if there is a certain type or brand I should invest in that is possibly more resistant to scratches and dents. Or are they all the same?

Allison Franklin
Consumer - New Braunfels, Texas USA

Hi Allison, sorry to hear of your frustration. Why do you think your appliance is beyond repair. Yes, dents and dings are permanent at this time but if we're talking scratches then I introduce you to Scratch-B-Gone. Our industry-accepted kit has helped owners like yourself work wonders with removing and refinishing Stainless surfaces to almost new. Please look to www.scratch-b-gone.com for more information and ideas before giving up. Yes there are products offered with protective coatings but these are not without their problems either and once these are scratches, they are scratched forever. Hoped this helped.

Barry Feinman Restore It Yourself, Inc Carlsbad, CA, USA

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