Vinyl wrap 3m Scotchprint vs. repaint for refrigerator

[funktionalart]

Just curious…if any of you have done or would consider doing one of those "car wrap" techniques on a vintage refrigerator? Have the idea to do so running 'round in my brain as the Coldspot I just picked up is SOOOO nice that I hate to repaint it. My understanding is that these vinyl wraps are removable with no damage to the underlying factory paint. 3m Scotchprint is available in loads of colors and varieties of sheen--it would just mean dismantling of the doors/gaskets/handles in order to achieve a quality/factory done look.

For the unit below, am thinking of muted orange or copper for the top door and a GE Combination-esque brushed metal look for the bottom freezer. Anything but the existing appliance white--it does nothing for the visual impact of an otherwise nice 60s modern design. 2nd pic is a sample of a newer black GE which someone has wrapped in yellow and orange.

Had thought of doing a full door frame kit in chrome or brushed aluminum with face panels…but these doors have a very slight convex curvature to them and that would probably mean getting custom frame trim made (and mean putting screws through the door metal)….I really hate to permanently compromise the originality of this unit too awfully much.

Thoughts?

 

[Paul_S]

vinyl wrap

I've been reading and studying up on these wraps and uses, about to experiment on a few things myself. Your refrigerator looks like the ideal candidate since it has the smooth gloss finish. The films stick best to those really smooth finishes. I was looking at some trial pieces to cover some auto trim pieces and an old freezer, myself. From everything I see you should go for it, it should be perfect and look amazing. My freezer door has a texture to it, so I am hesitant to go all out and then find it wont look right or stick well... The colors and even texture available are amazing.. Chrome looks, carbon-fiber, snake-skin, ostrich, croc, leather, gloss, satin, and a variety of colors... Should be great !!!

 

[delaneymeegan]

It would be an interesting idea.
It's kind of like a big roll of contact paper and indoors, out of UV degradation, it should be fine.

As for cars, it's like a current throw-away trend. I would think condensation would get under the plastic and cause rust and corrosion. Not only that, the UV degradation is bound to see this stuff shrivel and wrinkle, especially in hot climates.

I will consider it for appliances.

 

[tolivac]

At one time there was a vinyl contact "wrap" that would make your fridge look like a large toolbox!Another would make it look like a jukebox!Don't know if these are still available.I would have a concern if you get tired of the wrapped look and want the orig finish-can you remove the wrap without damaging the orig finish on the fridge.

 

[richnz]

Yes

Great idea and I've considered the idea too.
If you don't like it peel it off

 

[polkanut]

Allen,

Your idea is nothing new.  International Harvester advertised that very same idea back in the early 1950's.  "Everything old is new again."

 

[funktionalart]

Old ideas...

Tim,
Yeah--I'm aware of how far back the idea goes…but my main worry with what I mention in my post is how convincing the treatment I'm considering actually is. The car wrap stuff seems dodgy…until I can see it in person. The appeal to it at this point is that it doesn't compromise the original finish--my fear is that it could look cheap/amateurish. My kitchen dictates a black or carefully chosen metallic finish for a fridge---but I wouldn't want it to look like some trade-show experiment.

 

[stenton79]

It’s a good idea. Even I too had installed vinyl vehicle wraps on my vintage refrigerator. I had used quality one so didn’t have any issue when peeling it off. It came out smoothly without any damage. So would definitely suggest it to you too.

http://https//silvertipgraphics.com/

 

[twintubdexter]

Sounds like it would look great

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I did a vinyl-wrap (on a much smaller scale) on a Monogram ice maker I bought a few years ago. I took out the second dishwasher, bought a small cabinet that looks similar, and installed in in my kitchen island. It took some time to get it wrinkle-free. The ice maker is stainless steel under the white covering...how's that for going backwards in style?</span>