Official Fridge Transformation Thread

BlueBomber · Jun 25, 2015

View media item 44458I've got a 1949 Coldspot fridge, bought out of a basement at an estate sale for $20. It works great in my garage and did not result in a huge increase in the electric bill. I've read that the old fridges are more efficient than those from the 70's through the early nineties because they do NOT have an automatic defrost running all the time and sucking down power.

I replaced the door gasket and eventually plan to sand it down and repaint it metal-flake Chicago Maroon with the Coldspot logo in Burnt Orange.

The other reason I like this old fridge is the story that goes with it. The family told me Ma and Pa moved into the little house in Chelmsford, Mass in 1949 when they got married, so this was likely their first fridge! It outlasted both of them and now has a second life in my garage holding beer, soda, and any spill over from the house. I'm damn proud to have saved it from the dump! :rocker:

View media item 50442My Dad and I found this early 1950's Westinghouse at another estate sale. It was a little more - $25. :lol_hitti

Dad took it home to Virginia last month for his garage. He's going to paint it metallic blue to match his '33 Chevy Master.

Scottwi · Jun 25, 2015

Dan in Pasadena said:
I want to do this. Who is Scottwi and does he make decals for this?

(Oops! Scott, just found you're a member though there are zero threads started by you. Same question about making/selling decals for making this transformation. I'd love to do it.)

Looks great and might even be easier to do a vintage 7up machine since they were all white anyway!

I do make decals for transforming your fridge. Let me know what you want.

(sorry have not started any threads, don't feel I have anything that hasn't been started before)

strnge · Jul 9, 2015

BlueBomber said:
View media item 44458I've got a 1949 Coldspot fridge, bought out of a basement at an estate sale for $20. It works great in my garage and did not result in a huge increase in the electric bill. I've read that the old fridges are more efficient than those from the 70's through the early nineties because they do NOT have an automatic defrost running all the time and sucking down power.

I replaced the door gasket and eventually plan to sand it down and repaint it metal-flake Chicago Maroon with the Coldspot logo in Burnt Orange.

The other reason I like this old fridge is the story that goes with it. The family told me Ma and Pa moved into the little house in Chelmsford, Mass in 1949 when they got married, so this was likely their first fridge! It outlasted both of them and now has a second life in my garage holding beer, soda, and any spill over from the house. I'm damn proud to have saved it from the dump!

View media item 50442My Dad and I found this early 1950's Westinghouse at another estate sale. It was a little more - $25. Dad took it home to Virginia last month for his garage. He's going to paint it metallic blue to match his '33 Chevy Master.

Gotta see them painted.

organ · Jul 9, 2015

Red Leader said:
First, awesome fridge! I'll also second the idea of finding one already working, which is actually not what I did haha (luckily, my '34 Frigidaire only has an electrical issue and the refrigerant line is intact). But on some of those fridges, even up til about 1940 (or maybe after, who knows), a lot of them used sulfur dioxide as a refrigerant, which is a nasty, nasty substance. In the little research I did on fridges (trying to find out more about what my fridge uses, Dichrlorotetroflouromethane, R-114), a lot of fridges from the old days used methyl chloride and sulfur dioxide. I read somewhere that once said that due to some deaths where leaking fridges were involved (back in the late 1920s-1930s), they kept working on refrigerants until they settled on R-12 which was the standard for a long, long time. Many times, you can look around on the back/bottom of the fridge and it will have a tag that denotes the refrigerant used.

GE/Frigidaire made some awesome boxes back in the day. They are all beautiful and the inside is often just as pretty. Good luck in your search!

Here are some shots of mine before I cleaned it up:

All my photos of what I've done to it so far are 'unavailable' due to Fotki issues, but hopefully I'll see them up again soon (I hope).

Ammonia was also used as a refrigerant. Interesting fact: Thomas Midgley, Jr., the guy who came up with the idea of adding lead to gasoline, also developed Freon... one of the first CFCs. The negative impacts of his inventions weren't only environmental... having contracted Polio later in life, Midgley devised "an elaborate system of strings and pulleys to help others lift him from bed."... which eventually killed him when he became entangled in it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Midgley,_Jr.

ZRX1040 · Jul 10, 2015

Did this a few months back.... Click Here

ZRX1040 · Jul 10, 2015

Some other threads...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=251801&highlight=fridge

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62981&highlight=fridge

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=261055&highlight=fridge

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273223&highlight=fridge

ugly kustom · Jul 11, 2015

Just a hint on what I'm working on, once I figure out what I'm doing.

timdp · Jul 12, 2015

Damnit GJ, I have no space for a fridge in the garage, but here I am looking at Craigslist... Found a nice one for anyone in the north San Francisco Bay Area:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/app/5114043073.html

INSP380 · Jul 12, 2015

My freebie fridge....strip, repaint and add old GM Fridgedair badge and some old Pepsi decals.

Steve

INSP380 · Jul 12, 2015

Final...

iamhomeless · Jul 12, 2015

My 55 fridgidair cyclomatic just gave up the ghost.

Compressor runs, but the coils stay at room temp, so I am guessing the valves are shot.

So what should I do with this sucker?

Is there anyway to plumb a new compressor in and run 134, or should hollow it out and mount a gun safe inside?

Lassen Forge · Jul 12, 2015

iamhomeless said:
My 55 fridgidair cyclomatic just gave up the ghost.

Compressor runs, but the coils stay at room temp, so I am guessing the valves are shot.

So what should I do with this sucker?

Is there anyway to plumb a new compressor in and run 134, or should hollow it out and mount a gun safe inside?

I've read about people who replumb GE monitor tops all the time using mini-fridge guts - usually because they can't get the old SO2 system to work (because it's been run without the heater working or something dumb) or because they're scared of the SO2 refrigerant (even tho they usually only leak when you try to open the system without knowing how; a leak will announce itself long before it's bad enough to kill you!) so if they can do that with those, there's no reason you couldn't replumb modern guts into your Frigidaire.

You can also call a reefer repair man (they really do still exist, most restaurants have a contact for one when their walk-in or reach-in goed kerflewie) and have them do a rebuild - parts are (usually) still available. It might be something as simple as a leak in a line, the freon drained out, and, well, there ya go.

------------

I've finally decided (after learning a 5 gal keg won't fit in it on July 5th) I need a new fridge. Love to find something like an old GE monitor (and running SO2 is fine) or something (what I wouldn't give for Grandma's fridge, mentioned eaerlier) that is just beat enough where turning it into a fridge/kegerator (and giving it a paint once-over) wouldn't feel like sacrelidge... and is cheap. Hell, I'd even tear down the current unit for it's refrigerator unit... if it would all fit.

Dan in Pasadena · Jul 13, 2015

timdp said:
Damnit GJ, I have no space for a fridge in the garage, but here I am looking at Craigslist... Found a nice one for anyone in the north San Francisco Bay Area:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/app/5114043073.html

That's actually IS very cool looking.

hewey · Jul 13, 2015

A bunch of mates built this over a few weekends (and a few beers), so we can take it on our weekends away. :thumbup:

The obligatory before photo, when it was taking up space being unused in a shed.

And the after. The main section has been insulated and turned into an esky (cooler bin), and the lower section is a barbeque. The main lid is hinged with a 30s Chev boot (trunk) strut, and the bottom door opens up to create a benchtop.

10428013_10204671992057393_6670182806496959492_n_zps87e5c560.jpg

iamhomeless · Jul 14, 2015

Lassen Forge said:
I've read about people who replumb GE monitor tops all the time using mini-fridge guts - usually because they can't get the old SO2 system to work (because it's been run without the heater working or something dumb) or because they're scared of the SO2 refrigerant (even tho they usually only leak when you try to open the system without knowing how; a leak will announce itself long before it's bad enough to kill you!) so if they can do that with those, there's no reason you couldn't replumb modern guts into your Frigidaire.

You can also call a reefer repair man (they really do still exist, most restaurants have a contact for one when their walk-in or reach-in goed kerflewie) and have them do a rebuild - parts are (usually) still available. It might be something as simple as a leak in a line, the freon drained out, and, well, there ya go.

------------

I've finally decided (after learning a 5 gal keg won't fit in it on July 5th) I need a new fridge. Love to find something like an old GE monitor (and running SO2 is fine) or something (what I wouldn't give for Grandma's fridge, mentioned eaerlier) that is just beat enough where turning it into a fridge/kegerator (and giving it a paint once-over) wouldn't feel like sacrelidge... and is cheap. Hell, I'd even tear down the current unit for it's refrigerator unit... if it would all fit.

Thank you so much

BlueBomber · Jul 15, 2015

hewey said:
A bunch of mates built this over a few weekends (and a few beers), so we can take it on our weekends away. [emoji106]

The obligatory before photo, when it was taking up space being unused in a shed.

And the after. The main section has been insulated and turned into an esky (cooler bin), and the lower section is a barbeque. The main lid is hinged with a 30s Chev boot (trunk) strut, and the bottom door opens up to create a benchtop.

Nice! Way cool, and much better than going into a landfill.

jmlcolorado · Jul 28, 2015

I got a 50's GE fridge from a side job on a motorcycle for a buddy. Still keeps drinks cold!
Wanting to see what folks recommend for painting these? Mine appears to have a porcelain coating that is tougher then nails. 60 grit won't touch it.
I really
Let want to paint it, but if I can't get good bite, I'll leave it alone. This bright plain white sticks out in the shop like a drunk elephant. However, this drunk elephant is pretty cool looking.

Also wouldnt mind a cool vinyl wrap. Something steam punk'ish, or a vault door kinda theme. Anything industrial with big rivets and bolts.

jmlcolorado · Jul 28, 2015

Here it is......doing its job.

BlueBomber · Aug 12, 2015

Here's my Dad's fridge redone (he's retired, so he has more time on his hands than I do). The paint job finish is not the best, but at least it's all one color and back in service!

Before:
View media item 50442
After:
View media item 52487 View media item 52486

harleybuilder · Aug 13, 2015

Brother in law girlfriend gave me this 1950 frigidaire by general motors, I have been slowly redoing since last year. It runs like it was new, I replaced the door gasket and painted it (first time ever shooting paint with a gun). If you turn the dial much past 3 it will freeze your beer, soda, water. I'm pretty proud of the way it turned out.

Before

During

After

slammedkustom · Aug 13, 2015

some amazing fridges on here. ive got a 50s Electrolux I bought for £20 at a swapmeet. was told it worked but gutted it and made it into a kitchen cupboard. currently full of baby stuff. I did make the door into storage as well as its very deep. painted it 50s green to match the kitchen

slightly off topic but a while back I bought a petrol pump to turn into a cabinet. it was rough and is still waiting its turn but as it was double sided and you only need one side if its going against a wall I used the spare door to make this unit. the back of the unit is all steel and the logos on the door light up. its also painted in the same green

inside is full of kitchen junk too but you get the idea. handle was something I picked up at a car show, latch is a kit car item

j p smith · Aug 13, 2015

harleybuilder said:
Brother in law girlfriend gave me this 1950 frigidaire by general motors, I have been slowly redoing since last year. It runs like it was new, I replaced the door gasket and painted it (first time ever shooting paint with a gun). If you turn the dial much past 3 it will freeze your beer, soda, water. I'm pretty proud of the way it turned out.

Before

During

After

Very Nice!

Jeff Ivers · Aug 13, 2015

slammedkustom said:
some amazing fridges on here. ive got a 50s Electrolux I bought for £20 at a swapmeet. was told it worked but gutted it and made it into a kitchen cupboard. currently full of baby stuff. I did make the door into storage as well as its very deep. painted it 50s green to match the kitchen

slightly off topic but a while back I bought a petrol pump to turn into a cabinet. it was rough and is still waiting its turn but as it was double sided and you only need one side if its going against a wall I used the spare door to make this unit. the back of the unit is all steel and the logos on the door light up. its also painted in the same green

inside is full of kitchen junk too but you get the idea. handle was something I picked up at a car show, latch is a kit car item

Nice job on the cabinets! Those look really cool.

Jeff Ivers · Aug 13, 2015

A number of years ago, I was given this and used it for a while as a shop refrigerator, but eventually migrated it to the garage for convenience.

Recently, I decided it needing a thorough cleaning and refresh. This is where it is today.

I wanted to add vinyl Coca-Cola script graphic wraps to each side. So far the best deal I have found is $350 which I think is too much to invest in something this old. Anyone know of a reasonable source for Coke graphics?

ugly kustom · Aug 29, 2015

ugly kustom said:
Just a hint on what I'm working on, once I figure out what I'm doing.

Here we ar.

harleybuilder · Aug 29, 2015

ugly kustom said:
Here we ar.

Looks great. Very nice job on it. ...

CodeRedZ · Oct 7, 2015

Show Off Your Garage Fridge

My current bleh fridge

which will eventually be replaced by this 1939 GE Refrigerator.

This fridge belonged to my grand parents, and was working till about 10 years ago or so. It was a christmas/wedding present in 1939.

Don't mind the mess this is an old picture

JC23 · Oct 7, 2015

Re: Show Off Your Garage Fridge

I think there already is a thread on this but it's been a while. Here's mine. Garage sale for $10 and threw some paint at it.

PugetDude · Oct 7, 2015