Vintage 7 UP Refrigerator restoration question

[68 sat]

I found this on my local Craigslist and I bought it from an old time bar owner that told me he had to cutup the bar to remove it. It had the compressor replaced abut 15 years ago and weighs a ton. I plan on cleaning it up and keeping beer and soda in the garage.

Question: What is the best product to try and bring back some of the white. As you can see from a piece that I removed it was once a beautiful white. Also any suggestions on how to clean the refrigerator unit would be helpful. Thanks

I'll post some follow-up pics as I move along...

 

[1940_dodge]

Well, you could start with a bleach based cleaner spray. Just make sure that you only use it where white was the only color used. For the other areas, try using a bathroom/kitchen cleaner like 409 or a vinegar solution. Once you've done all of that probably either mothers, barkeepers friend, or brasso would work for the bare metal pieces with some elbow grease would be best.

 

[1940_dodge]

Also, TAKE PICTURES. Eventually you're going to get to a point where you ask yourself, where did this piece go? If you you have some pictures you'll be able to answer that question!

 

[Zeke]

I started a thread about using GoJo hand cleaner on sinks, etc. Posters offered up lots of uses for GJ. Wiring and looms was one. It's a start before you get into any kind of abrasives like powdered cleanser or rubbing/polishing compound.

 

[softailgarage]

Nothing will, it was a basic waste of money. All you can do now is bubble wrap it and send to me for proper disposal. Hate to be the bearer of bad news.

 

[jayoldschool]

Use Meguiar's Ultimate Compound. It will look almost brand new. Don't screw around with stuff that's not made for paint restoration.

Yes, it really does work this well.

 

[TractorJeff]

Might want to use GOJO as a basic wash before going to a paint polishing compound.
Remember it wasn't that long ago you could smoke in a Bar. That maybe grime and dirt on the paint.

 

[1940_dodge]

If that's a removable inner cage I would take that to someone to blast it too. It'll be likely around 50 bucks and save you hours of time trying scrub each individual cell.

 

[mitchtr25068]

You could also try mr clean magic pads

 

[68 sat]

I actually found this while perusing the vintage car section. The previous owner is a car guy and posted it thinking a car guy would be interested. I bit. I already started tearing it down. I'll post a few pics as I go along. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Marcm157]

That is an awesome find. I used GoJo on a 1950's vintage Crosley Refrigerator as a starting point. I stayed away from abrasive cleaners and went with a very mild rubbing and then polishing compound and had excellent results. I did this for my dad before he passed away 2 years ago and regrettably cant find the pictures he took of the before and after...

 

[Matt M PA]

There's a product called "Color Back" by Turtlewax that can make a huge improvement in oxidized, dirty finishes. It's no abrasive...I'd give that a try before using a compound or cutting polish...

 

[studly698]

Use Meguiar's Ultimate Compound. It will look almost brand new. Don't screw around with stuff that's not made for paint restoration.

Yes, it really does work this well.

I'd have to agree. I've been using that and rhetoric Polish and it works.. it worked really well on a black eclipse that was black but looked like the paint was very very faded..

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[studly698]

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[Dan in Pasadena]

Since no one else has said it, I will: I am extremely jealous! I would LOVE to have a vintage soda machine in my garage.

When I was a kid in the early-mid 60's my dad would take me to a liquor store that had a horizontal cooler that was loaded with all kinds of bottles in water full of ice chunks. There was a Myna bird kept on a stand in the store (obviously, no one cared) that would talk. Great old memories!

 

[68 sat]

Started cleaning her up a bit. Barkeeps rs friend for the inside and a Home Depot cleaner. Started working on the copper as well. Amazing how much it has popped alreadywu

 

[Stuart in MN]

If it was in a bar, there's probably 50 years of cigarette smoke on there; once that's cleaned off it will look a lot better. Use the mildest cleaning method possible, treat it like the paint on your car.

 

[68 sat]

Cleaning

 

[68 sat]

Pic 2

 

[68 sat]

With a little elbow grease

 

[68 sat]

Pic 3

 

[UpNorther]

its looking good !
keep the pictures coming !

 

[hemifalcon]

looks like that cleaner is taking off the paint.. Better be careful there..

 

[buzz4041]

I used a polish and buffer and then waxed it. Same materials and procedure I use on my cars.

 

[68 sat]

Buzz4041 very nice job on those coolers. More progress on the beast. Scrubbing and working on the grates. I scrubbed them and shot them with a grey inthiught looked close. They look pretty good.

 

[68 sat]

Sprayed grates.

 

[68 sat]

More pics.

 

[Banjorear]

Dang, that's awesome. Congrats!

 

[Pwaley]

Some good polish and wax is all a brother needs sometimes.

 

[68 sat]

Built a dolly out of 2/6 and a set if HF wheels I plucked off a broken dolly a few years back. Much easier to move around.

 

[68 sat]

Another pic mid build.

 

[68 sat]

I have been rubbing this thing for two weeks with everything under the sun. I also built a dolly for her and painted it to blend in. Another member recommended the Meguires product and it did help restore some color as well as remove some water stains. I have a 1963 Chrysler with original paint that had a few spots. I tried it on her and it did a great job. A good product to recommend.

 

[68 sat]

I have been rubbing this thing for two weeks with everything under the sun. I also built a dolly for her and painted it to blend in. Another member recommended the Meguires product and it did help restore some color as well as remove some water stains. I have a 1963 Chrysler with original paint that had a few spots. I tried it on her and it did a great job. A good product to recommend.

The refrigerator wound up being too cool to leave in the garage so I put in in a room with my pool table. I still have to rewrite it but for now it’s just a conversation piece. Here are a few pictures.

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[Unruh]

That looks right at home!

 

[larry4406]

Nice fridge and 1963 Chrysler!