How to cover a refrigerator with self-adhesive film

Modern kitchens have long moved away from boring shades and textures. At the same time, it is not always possible to harmoniously fit the same type of household appliances in standard colors into the design. While small appliances can be built into furniture or hidden in a closet, a standard refrigerator is almost impossible to hide without a significant loss of space. Designer airbrushing or an individual order from a manufacturer are expensive. An appropriate compromise between price and individuality is self-adhesive film.

How to choose film for the refrigerator

The choice of coating is now quite large: from expensive, high-quality Italian or German, to affordable ones made in China. The final decision will depend on your budget and desired design. However, when choosing a film, you should take into account the parameters important for pasting and subsequent use.

Required properties

• Moisture resistance. Even in the most spacious kitchen, humidity will be high. It is necessary that the appearance does not deteriorate from exposure to steam and condensation.
• Abrasion resistance.The coating must withstand wet cleaning and cleaning from dirt without loss of brightness or damage to the design.
• Fade resistant. So that the drawing does not lose its color after the first rays of sunlight through the window, it is better to choose a material with proven print quality.

Picture selection options

• Image size. If you choose individual printing on film, it is important that the size of the image matches the size of the surface being pasted. As a rule, the size of the image is indicated in pixels.
• Aspect ratio. Consider the refrigerator parameters when choosing an image. For a standard one with a height greater than the width, it is best to select designs with a vertical orientation.
• Type of drawing. Panoramic photographs, high-quality macro photographs, abstract patterns and ornaments, photographs of people, drawings depicting textures or collages are perfect for refrigerator design. It is better to entrust the adaptation of a drawing for printing to a specialist in interior printing.
• Film print quality. The best picture is obtained with large-format interior printing. It is distinguished by a greater number of pixels per centimeter, which makes the drawing indistinguishable from a professional glossy photograph.

Reference! One centimeter is approximately 38 pixels. It’s easy to calculate that to cover a standard refrigerator measuring 180 by 55 centimeters, the size should be 6800 by 2090 pixels minimum.

Preparing for work

Regardless of the type of film and the method of its application, it is necessary to carefully prepare the surface of the refrigerator for pasting and prepare the necessary materials and tools for the work.

How to prepare a refrigerator for wallpapering

• Disconnect the appliance from the mains, defrost and remove food from it.
• Dismantle the fittings, remove old stickers, if any.
• Wash thoroughly, degrease and remove dust from the surface.
• It is better to remove the refrigerator doors, since working with horizontal surfaces is much more convenient.
• Apply markings.

What will you need at work?

• Self-adhesive film.
• Sharp large scissors.
• Spray.
• Liquid detergent.
• Alcohol or window cleaner.
• A squeegee is a spatula made of plastic or thick rubber.
• A soft, lint-free cloth.

Methods for covering a refrigerator with film

There are two application options: on a dry surface and on a wet one.

Dry pasting

• It is necessary to degrease and dry the surface. Completely remove dust and debris that will turn into defects after gluing the film.
• We try on the canvas, leave enough margin for the hems, and align the pattern. It is better to secure the edges with tape so that the image does not move relative to the surface when applied.
• It is better to start gluing from the upper left corner. You need to bend it a little and separate the adhesive layer from the base.
• Smooth the corner with a cloth, moving gradually from the center down and to the sides.
• We move very slowly, separating the base. Smooth the film from the middle to the sides towards the edges. Do not rush to avoid the appearance of wrinkles and bubbles. If they still turn out, they can be removed after gluing is completed.

Attention! To remove bubbles, you need to carefully pierce them with a needle in the middle and smooth them tightly. You can try to remove wrinkles with hot air. Point the hairdryer at the crease. Under the influence of temperature, the film will stretch and will need to be properly straightened.

• The edges on the doors will be under the rubber band.We carefully remove the sections into the cracks with a thin tool (knife or spatula). Carefully cut off the remaining film.

Wet gluing

• Pour water into a spray bottle and add a few drops of liquid soap or alcohol to it.
• Spray a little over the surface. It's important not to overdo it. The surface should be slightly damp, not wet.
• Apply the film starting from the upper left corner. The wet method is well suited for beginners because it can be easily peeled off the surface and reapplied in case of a mistake.
• We tuck the edges, align the corners and joints, and attach the fittings back.

How to care for a refrigerator covered with film

After applying the self-adhesive film, the refrigerator is ready for use. The rules for caring for the surface do not differ from the rules for caring for furniture and surfaces of other household appliances. Avoid exposure to aggressive detergents and high temperatures. The coating is easy to scratch, so it is better not to use rough brushes or abrasive sponges to wash the surface.