Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

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Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

September 08, 2021, 01:03:04 am

I want to replace my dometic refrigerator brown panels with steel panels that will hold magnets. The only materials I have found so far to do this are the sheet metal rolls sold at the big box stores for metal flashing for roofing. Is this the right material or is there something better to use? Has anyone already done this to the refrigerator? What did you use? Any advice?

Re: Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

Reply #1 – September 08, 2021, 02:41:00 am

The magnetic sheet metal you have been seen at the big box stores is probably rolls of galvanized sheet steel roof flashing, stainless steel is too expensive for most builders and can be difficult to cut and bend. The other shiny rolls are aluminum.
Unless Dometic sells such a panel to fit your refrigerator, I would check local sheet metal shops or fabricators for a custom sheared stainless steel panel. It isn't going to be cheap.

Larry

Re: Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

Reply #2 – September 08, 2021, 02:50:05 am

Hi Tracy, I remember that you can get replacement door panels for dishwashers. Here is one in black: Whirlpool WP3369769 Dishwasher Door Panel - ApplianceParts4All.com I suspect they are steel and a magnet will hold well. I couldn't find a size listed, but you would have to cut them to fit. I'm sure white is available. Stainless more expensive. The price was right. RonB

Re: Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

Reply #3 – September 08, 2021, 03:31:00 pm

Get some " paint lock " from a sheet metal shop and paint it what ever color you want. It'll be steel so magnets will hold. Good stainless steel a magnet wont hold well to.

Jon

Re: Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

Reply #4 – September 08, 2021, 06:38:07 pm

Quote from: JonS - September 08, 2021, 03:31:00 pm

Get some " paint lock " from a sheet metal shop and paint it whatever color you want. It'll be steel so magnets will hold. Good stainless steel a magnet won't hold well to.

Painting pre-treated galvanized is a good solution.
Normal galvanized sheet metal can be painted after it has been cleaned and then treated with a mild acid etcher. A commercial acid etcher or white vinegar can be used.
How to Paint Galvanized Steel: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Larry

Re: Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

Reply #5 – September 08, 2021, 09:05:36 pm

When I replaced the black inserts in the refrigerators of my last two rigs, I purchased stainless steel cut to exact size from onlinemetals.com. I bought 0.03" stainless, brushed finish. A 28.5" x 19.8" sheet cost me $54.68. It fit perfectly and looks great.

Now, I know you don't want stainless, because it won't hold magnets (I don't use 'em), but Online Metals carries everything from aluminum to carbon steel to copper to... you name it. I was very happy with my purchases from them.

McMaster-Carr is another possibility, but I don't know whether they will cut to size the way Online Metals will... and I wouldn't count on cutting a larger piece down to size with metal shears, because they rarely leave a perfectly flat edge.

Re: Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

Reply #6 – September 09, 2021, 08:06:11 am

I also bought magnetic stainless steel panels from onlinemetals. Note: The panels will stain; we had a refrigerator magnet rust a little, and it left a mark. Despite this, I liked the panels and would buy them again.

Mark H.

Re: Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

Reply #7 – July 17, 2022, 03:35:21 pm

Would have preferred to order a precut piece but that wouldn’t happen until this fall.
Found a couple 26 gauge of plain sheet steel, not galvanized or stainless, at Lowes in Idaho Falls.

Cut the top to size, painted it with Rust-oleum Satin Protective Enamel.

Reversed and inserted the old wood panel, and slid the painted sheet metal in.

Re: Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

Reply #8 – July 17, 2022, 04:27:26 pm

Quote from: Dave Katleman - July 17, 2022, 03:35:21 pm

Cut the top to size, painted it with Rust-oleum Satin Protective Enamel.
Reversed and inserted the old wood panel, and slid the painted sheet metal in.

I like it! Thanks Dave

Re: Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

Reply #9 – July 22, 2022, 06:28:45 pm

Bottom piece was harder to fit, still worked after some filing and bending, would have been easier if I had a company cut it rather by hand with aviation snips.

Still not sure I like the green, might go to black.

Re: Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

Reply #10 – July 23, 2022, 03:45:20 am

Hi Dave; Lots of low priced door replacements for dishwashers. Some reasonable, some not so. You'd have to find measurements. Some stainless panels are magnetic and some aren't. Again I don't know if you could find out before buying one. replacement dishwasher door panels - Google Search
There are sandblast/powder coat services in larger cities, so you could pick your color. RonB

Re: Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

Reply #11 – July 25, 2022, 10:48:31 am

Hey there Socal-gal
Dunno if you got your metal yet, but not too long ago, in FL, I saw some galvanized sheet metal almost the right size in the back of HD that is made for duct work and it was pretty light. Not sure of gauge. I’ll be getting me some of that soon

Chris

Re: Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

Reply #12 – July 25, 2022, 02:36:49 pm

Quote from: Pelucid - July 25, 2022, 10:48:31 am

I saw some galvanized sheet metal almost the right size in the back of HD.

Chris

Thanks Chris, I’ll check it out!

Re: Replacing refrigerator panels with metal sheets - where to source them?

Reply #13 – July 25, 2022, 02:46:26 pm

Quote from: Andy Baird - September 08, 2021, 09:05:36 pm

onlinemetals.com. I bought 0.03" stainless, brushed finish. A 28.5" x 19.8" sheet cost me $54.68. It fit perfectly and looks great.

Online Metals carries everything from aluminum to carbon steel to copper to... you name it. I was very happy with my purchases from them.

McMaster-Carr is another possibility, …

Thanks Andy, great information!

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