If you are tired of a simple white refrigerator or it has become damaged, the situation can be easily corrected with the help of self-adhesive film. This is especially true for those people who spend a lot of time in the kitchen. This coating will decorate your household appliance and will please the eye for a long time.
With the help of a beautiful film you can completely transform the appearance of a product.
How to choose self-adhesive film?
First, calculate the surface area that will be sealed. To avoid unforeseen situations, add one or two meters to the resulting number. You can buy film for the refrigerator:
- in a building materials store;
- through a website on the Internet.
Please note that films with protective lamination and ultra-thin plastic are more durable.
Preparing the refrigerator for gluing
First, you need to remove all the fittings and doors. Gluing in a vertical position is very inconvenient, fact.
Then, wash the surface very thoroughly, without bypassing even a single corner. After this, wipe dry and wipe the refrigerator with alcohol to degrease.
Remember that if at least one speck remains on the surface, it will be very visible. Especially if the film is not with a pattern, but is plain.
Color and pattern of self-adhesive film
Stores provide a large number of films to choose from with a wide range of colors and a variety of patterns. You can purchase material from the offered range, order a ready-made design layout, or create your own. When choosing a self-adhesive film, it is best to focus on the overall interior of the kitchen.
Such material can be plain, gradient or have a special pattern, even interesting 3D images. I would like to note that the vinyl film on the refrigerator looks interesting, reminiscent of leather, wood or marble.
If you are also tired of the wall color, you can choose a panoramic pattern for the refrigerator and kitchen, in which case they will go well together.
Flowers on refrigerators look very beautiful. If the kitchen is decorated in Japanese style, you can choose an image of a sakura flower for decoration.
For a kitchen in the Provence style, film with flowers or images of various landscapes is also suitable. A high-tech room will be perfectly complemented by geometric shapes and patterns.
Country music lovers can purchase film with photographs of the city, streets or images of faces. But, in general, the owner of the kitchen should always be guided by his taste and preferences.
Picture selection options
The film on the refrigerator should look natural and without flaws; for this it is important to choose the correct sizes of the sticker and the photo itself. It shouldn't be too small, but trimming it isn't the most attractive option.
Fun refrigerator prints can lift your spirit every day.
Necessary:
- Take measurements of parameters.
- Think about the aspect ratio.
- Assume that 38 pixels are one centimeter.
- Then a standard case model measuring 180 cm * 55 cm is equal to 6800 * 2090 pixels.
When choosing a pattern or film, consider not only the interior, but also your preferences.
If the picture is shifted to the side by design, this must be taken into account when calculating the parameters. Although, if you make a sticker to order, then specialists usually help with numbers and measurements.
Vinyl film
They come in matte and glossy. The advantages of this material:
- the ability to do the gluing yourself;
- a wide range of;
- it can be washed and even used with dishwashing detergent;
- protecting the refrigerator from damage;
- long service life;
- eliminating visible scratches;
- removal without damage.
To apply such a film, you do not need to have any special skills. The process is step by step (all actions are performed carefully and without haste):
- Place the film face down on a clean surface.
- Cut out the required amount.
- Remove the paper backing.
- Carefully apply the film to the surface of the refrigerator.
- Select the desired pattern position.
- Place it on the refrigerator.
- Remove any bubbles with a clean rag. Movements are performed from the middle to the edges.
- If small bubbles appear that cannot be smoothed out, pierce them with a needle, heat the area with a hairdryer and smooth it out.
- Remove excess material with a utility knife.
Variety of vinyl films.
If gluing requires a wet method, then you need to spray soapy water on the work surface. In this case, it becomes possible to peel off the film and reapply it if bubbles or overlaps form. Within 24 hours the coating will dry to the desired condition. When removing the film, there will be no damage left on the surface of the refrigerator.
Designer products are more expensive, but at the same time more rational to use. To save money, you can use cheap analogues. Their advantages are the price and speed of gluing. The main disadvantage is the lack of strength: the material will quickly wear out and lose its appearance. Replacement will soon be required, which will entail new costs.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before you go to the store for self-adhesive, you should consider in detail its positive and negative sides and only then make a decision.
The main advantages of the film include the following features:
- budget cost, which makes film a generally available material;
- a rich palette of shades, an excellent selection of prints and textures;
- allows you to hide stubborn stains, small scratches and chips on the surface of the refrigerator;
- protects the paintwork from possible damage;
- lasts a long time without fading or changing color;
- is not afraid of moisture and detergents, so regular washing does not cause any damage to the coating;
- can last for many years, maintaining a presentable appearance;
- Easy installation - it is quite possible to cover the refrigerator with your own hands.
The only disadvantage of the film is its inability to smooth out uneven surfaces. It is necessary to prevent foreign particles from getting under the material. To ensure perfect fixation of the canvas, you will have to thoroughly clean and degrease the surface of the refrigerator.
How to cover a refrigerator with film step by step?
This process is quite simple and will not take much time. Before starting work, you must remove the handles and seal from the device, remove all contents, turn it off and defrost it. Gluing is carried out in several stages.
Surface preparation
Wash the refrigerator, degrease it with alcohol, and dry it with a cloth. Make sure that there are no specks or lint left on the surface.
Measurements and adjustment of the drawing
Use a ruler or meter to measure the height and width of the appliance. Calculate the total area. Double-check that the measurements are correct. Check that the material fits exactly where you want to seal.
Be sure to check the measurements are correct before covering your appliance.
If the refrigerator has a standard size, then the film for it can be purchased at any hardware store. If the device is atypical, you need to take measurements and order an individual coating.
Surface pasting
To do this, you need to remove the paper base from the film, then select the desired angle of the pattern on the surface of the refrigerator. Then apply the coating and smooth it with a clean cloth using gentle movements from the center to the edges.
Other refrigerator design options
To revive your kitchen interior and bring new, bright notes into it, you can use your imagination or use ideas from the Internet.
In addition to vinyl stickers and films, you can also use magnetic analogues to decorate your refrigerator, which are also easy to use. With their help, you can radically transform an old household appliance and turn it into a kitchen decoration.
You can give it a beautiful and original look using airbrushing, but for this you will have to resort to the services of a specialist. This is too difficult a task for an ordinary person, especially if he does not have drawing skills. It is important to understand that incorrect actions can lead to damage to the household appliance.
To make the refrigerator fit the classic style, you can stylize it as wood. This type of design is also suitable for those who own a wooden corner or other similar furniture in the kitchen.
What do you need for work?
In order to cover the refrigerator, we will need:
- self-adhesive film,
- scissors,
- water sprayer,
- putty knife,
- dishwashing detergent or alcohol,
- - soft dry cloth.
If all this is at hand, you can get to work. Try to do everything carefully and take your time.
Surface preparation
Self-adhesive film for the refrigerator requires preliminary preparation of the surface. Before pasting, empty the refrigerator of all products and defrost it. The unit must be clean and dry.
Be sure to remove the fittings, doors and seal. This will help to stick the film without wrinkles at the corners and joints.
When gluing the door, it is better to remove the handles from it so that there are no unnecessary cuts. The surface of the refrigerator must be degreased. Any dishwashing liquid or alcohol will work for this. We wipe the unit, remove foam and remove excess moisture.
Sand any existing scratches or imperfections, otherwise they will appear under the film.
How to remove old film
If there is already a protective film on the refrigerator, and you want to remove it, then there are several ways to do this. You must try not to damage the surface of the unit. You can try moistening the film with hot water and after a few minutes peel it off using a sharp object. This should be done carefully.
If you can’t remove it this way, try heating the adhesive film with a hairdryer or fan. When it becomes softer, pry up the corner and pull the film towards you.
Remove particles of glue remaining on the surface with solvent or alcohol. Now you can paste the refrigerator over again.
Stylish stickers
A variety of amazing stickers will attract the attention of any buyer. These products are manufactured in various price categories. The gluing process is pretty standard. You can purchase a small design for just part of the refrigerator, or buy stickers for the entire height of the refrigerator.
You can purchase a sticker to suit your taste.
Printing method and quality
The quality of the picture directly depends on the customer, the buyer. A simple printed image is usually only attractive from a distance. But they come close to the refrigerator, so it is important to take care of aesthetics from this point of view as well.
Choose high-quality film for the refrigerator.
Interior printing helps out; it is more expensive than the usual wide-format option, but this is a one-time purchase, the result of which will be visible to everyone. If the photo is flawless up close, it will cause more enthusiastic emotions, since there will be no multi-colored dots, but the impression of a large photograph will be created.
Decoupage
Another popular way to quickly and easily decorate a refrigerator. You can purchase materials for decoupage in specialized stores. When purchasing, you need to not only choose the design you like, but also make sure that it will match the style of the kitchen.
At home, you will need to cut out the image, coat it with glue and attach it to the surface of the refrigerator. The drawing needs to be smoothed out, all bubbles and unevenness removed. After the picture has dried, it will need to be varnished.
Pasting the pattern
Using film, you can apply not only a solid image to the refrigerator, but also an applique
Modern technologies make it possible not only to print an image on self-adhesive film, but also to cut out almost any pattern from it. Updating the refrigerator in this way is easier and cheaper, since you don’t have to dismantle the doors and fittings, and even the most intricate film pattern costs less.
In addition to the film cut on a plotter (this is the name of the device with which film is cut), you will need additional editing equipment. It is glued on top of the front side of the pattern. The rest of the gluing process is no different from that described above.
The image is transferred to the surface using 'mounting' film
Where and how else is self-adhesive film used?
Such materials can be used in the toilet and bathroom, to decorate furniture in the nursery, living room and bedroom, as well as to decorate a country house. Similar products will become a decoration for the hallway. A variety of films are used not only at home, but also for decorating office premises. The fact is that you can paste over almost any surface: tiles, tiles, walls of household appliances and furniture, mirror, plastic and glass surfaces.
You can cover not only refrigerators with film, but also doors.
Covering a refrigerator with film is a practical and economical solution for updating the kitchen. The variety of decoration methods and products offered will allow you to realize your wildest desires. Just do not forget that the purchased products must be certified and environmentally friendly to ensure the safety of your health.
Detailed film application process
We recommend gluing using a wet method. There is also a dry method, of course. But it requires experience and skill. Therefore, here we describe a process that even a beginner can master with his own hands.
- Prepare a weak soap solution by adding a little dishwashing detergent to the water. You will wet the surface of the refrigerator with this mixture. Pour it into a spray bottle.
- We lay the film, pattern down, on a flat, horizontal surface. The best floor for this purpose is covered with clean cloth or polyethylene.
- From the top edge we separate a small piece of the base, literally 2-3 cm, and cut it off along the entire length with scissors.
- We apply the cloth to the upper edge of the refrigerator, pressing it tightly and smoothing it with a dry cloth. If you see air, push it out with a spatula. If, suddenly, the air does not come out, then you will have to pierce it with a pin and smooth it out again with a rag. In any case, this piece will be under the fittings.
- Then we roll the film into a roll.
- Spray from a spray bottle onto the surface.
- Gradually unrolling the film, remove the base and gently press the canvas to the surface.
- After you have glued it, carefully smooth it out with a rag and a spatula. There should not be a single bubble or wrinkle.
That's all! When the film dries, which is about 3 hours later, you can attach the fittings back.
How to remove glue from refrigerator sticker
Often, removing glue residue is more difficult than the sticker itself. You can use the following cleaning methods:
- rubbing with an eraser. The eraser works mechanically, effectively removing not only the sticker itself, but also the adhesive layer. You need to rub quite intensively and for a long time. After the gum, it is advisable to wash the area with soap and water;
- Nail polish remover works well with almost any glue. Simply rub the desired area a little. Acetone effectively dissolves glue;
- The area with glue can be lightly sprinkled with flour and then cleaned with a soft cloth.
If the glue cannot be removed using the above methods, you will have to use special chemicals. There are products on sale for removing old glue. They must be used carefully, following the instructions and safety precautions.
Note! The use of chemicals is not always the right solution. They are often sold in large volumes and have a high cost.
Making an original decorative element out of an ordinary white refrigerator
Almost limitless possibilities open up for those who are looking for an idea on how to restore a refrigerator
Let's consider the options:
- If you are concerned about the question of how to change the color of the refrigerator to match the color of the kitchen , the best way is painting. It is recommended to use acrylic compounds, automotive nitro enamel, and epoxy or polyurethane based paints for refrigerators. For painting, use a roller, the composition is applied in several layers (up to 5-7). Convenient options for cars in aerosols. Before painting, the surface is cleaned, degreased, and the fittings are wrapped in cling film.
- Airbrushing is a type of painting that requires the participation of a professional performer. An airbrush artist will apply any design to the surface of the refrigerator: a still life, a landscape, a reproduction of a painting, or your portrait.
- Another painting option is applying slate paint . In addition to the updated refrigerator, you will get a space for creativity and a place where you can leave notes or recipes.
- Wallpapering is an accessible and inexpensive way. It is better to choose washable, smooth options. Use wallpaper glue or PVA for gluing. The surface will be protected by acrylic varnish.
- If you don’t want to cover the entire surface, decorate parts of the refrigerator using decoupage technique . Use napkins or special sheets for decoupage. Fix them with PVA glue, draw the details with acrylic paint and varnish.
- Decorating the refrigerator door with wine corks is impressive, but labor-intensive. It will take several years to collect the required amount of material, but you can involve friends, relatives and acquaintances in the implementation of the project. The corks are cut in half lengthwise and glued with the cut to the surface. Use universal glue. Place the cork halves in vertical or horizontal rows, diagonally or in a pattern.
- Polyurethane, wooden and plastic moldings are used as an addition or independent decor . They can be smooth, flat or voluminous, carved. Options with an already applied adhesive layer will make installation easier. All that remains is to cut such planks and press them tightly to the surface.
- A non-traditional material for the kitchen is a mirror . By placing it on the refrigerator door, you will visually increase the space of a small kitchen and add light. It is better to place the mirror element away from the stove to avoid daily washing of greasy splashes.
- Don't forget about refrigerator magnets . They come in the form of small photo frames, trinkets, and writing pads. By hanging them in large quantities on the refrigerator, you can hide surface defects and a shabby appearance. This decor is easy to install and change.
- Flexible magnetic panels and stickers are suitable for more serious changes. Sheets with various images on a magnetic base will completely hide the old surface of the refrigerator in 5 minutes without prior preparation. Magnetic panels with photo printing also look original. For local decorations, use magnetic stickers.
It can be useful:
Is it possible to paint ceramic tiles in the kitchen?
Renewal, restoration and finishing of kitchen units
How to paint a kitchen set
Approaches to help remove adhesive residue from the surface
Some stickers come off the smooth surface of the refrigerator door without any problems, and housewives quickly forget about it. However, after some time, gray marks begin to form in these areas. This happens because dust settles on the remaining colorless glue. Removing such formations is sometimes even more difficult than entire stickers. The following approaches may help:
- Eraser. In this case, you don’t need to wet anything, just carefully and methodically wipe off all traces of dirt from the surface of the refrigerator. At first the glue will not yield, but then it will begin to roll into balls that can be removed manually.
- Nail polish remover or acetone. We carefully moisten the sticker marks with the selected composition so that the mass becomes soaked. After this, we immediately begin to wipe off the product with a soft cloth. If necessary, apply a little more liquid and work until everything comes off. With this approach, you don’t have to worry about the integrity of the enamel. The aggressive component will only remove the glue.
We recommend: Is there a place for hot food in the refrigerator and why is it not worth the risk?
- Special sprays. They are created on the basis of solvents that can easily cope with many contaminants. Considering the fact that the active composition is sprayed and not poured, the product does not lose its qualities and can be stored for a long time. It is generally beneficial to have on the farm.
- Alcohol/vinegar/antistatic. We apply the selected product to the place from which we managed to remove the sticker. You can immediately start rubbing the surface or wait a few minutes until the mass acts on the glue and dissolves it.
- Cleaner for bitumen stains. Although the liquid has a rather pungent odor, it helps remove all signs of contamination from the surface of the door in just a few seconds, without damaging the enamel.
For the cleaning process, it is recommended to organize access of fresh air into the room, because... Many of the products listed have a strong odor and can cause significant discomfort.
