Philco Refrigerator Restoration

[jgruchot]

Hi,
Interested in finding someone that will restore a Philco refrigerator from the 1950's both cosmetically and mechanically. We'd like to "gut" the mechanics for modern ones as well as have the interior/exterior repainted. Does anyone know someone in IL or WI?

I inquired with the company in GA, and it's somewhat cost prohibitive to ship it from WI back and forth.

 

[volvoguy87]

Why?

An automotive body shop may be able to paint the cabinet. They'd also likely be able to reccommend a place to have the chrome re-plated, if necessary.

As for the meacanicals, if it's a refrigerator that has to be manually defrosted, why would you change the guts? An old fridge that must be manually defrosted is more efficient than you'd imagine. They also tend to be simple (no evaporator or condensor fans) and are quite relaible. I'd do the body work and replace the electric cord. I'd also replace the door gasket so it makes a good tight seal. With a bad door gasket, you could have the newest guts in the world and still go broke running the thing. Door gasket material is available through Supco. The appliance parts store for which I work can get it by the foot.

Dave

 

[58limited]

If the fridge is running, leave it alone until it decides to quit, if it ever does. Just do a cosmetic restoration. Modern compressors do not last as long.

 

Manual defrosting is easy if you have one of these:

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[rp2813]

David, I have one of those defrosters along with my "Red-E-Defrost" which looks like a giant curler.

 

I used the defroster like the one in your ebay link on my mini fridge and within a couple of minutes it had melted a portion of the plastic ceiling.  Live and learn.

 

I agree with both Daves regarding the current mechanical system.  You're not going to find anybody on this site who is going to tell you replacing the guts with brand new is a good idea, or a cost effective one.  You'd be better off buying a "Big Chill" for probably the same as it would cost you to install new mechanicals and do the cosmetic work on your Philco.  The Philco will be a customized piece should you go forward with your plans, and won't appeal to nearly as many potential buyers if you ever chose to sell it.

 

[goatfarmer]

I agree, if it cools properly, paint it, check for any bad wiring, enjoy.

 

[norgeway]

trust me...

The old mechanism will keep food much better than a bunch of fans drying it out, ice cream never gets frost in it, and truthfully, they are cheap to run...and Philcos are just about silent!

 

[rp2813]

$.01 will buy this:

"Wow I sure picked the wrong tree to bark up."

 

[polkanut]

Hans,

So is my circa 1972 Frigidaire Cycla-Matic w/ manual defrost!

 

If the Philco ain't broke, don't fix it.  It'll outlast you by a long shot.

 

[henry200]

If the point is to have a retro look without sacrificing any convenience of a modern fridge then I think for probably the same amount of money a new Big Chill or other similar retro style fridge would be a better investment than trying to gut and convert an older unit.  Defrosting takes just a few minutes if it's done periodically, and filling ice cube trays isn't nearly as much of a "hassle" as loading and unloading the dishwasher.