Changing the frig door panel

[NW Cat Owner]

On one of my threads from when I picked up the trailer, someone suggested that I use the excess Formica for door panels on the frig.

Brilliant idea!!! And one that I kept in the back of my mind, bringing it to the front from time to time and telling Dirk "we need to do this at some point".

That point was today. Super easy to cut with a jigsaw (I think that's what he used since he doesn't have a table saw.) I drew a line around the outside of the original panel with a thick sharpie and Dirk starting cutting away. He did a great job!

I just LOVE how it looks, so thanks to whomever it was that suggested it. I think it looks way better than the original door panel.

BTW, big hint here - if you want to keep the bottom panel pristine, remove your door. It will crack about 2" from the bottom on at least one side as there's not really enough room to pull it out. The panels are thicker than the formica, so it wasn't a problem putting the new panels in. I wasn't concerned about it cracking since I'm not keeping the original panels.

(So, if anyone wants 'em at the Spring NOG, they're yours. Just tell me soon or otherwise they'll be broken up and shoved in our trash container. The top panel is pristine.)

[Vermilye]

Another thing I didn't think of with the new 21 - I need to come up with a new picture (actually, I guess two of them since it is a two door refrigerator) since the one I have on the current 5 cu ft fridge won't fit.

Again, for those that want to do this, I had a matte finish laminated poster made by Poster Brain, dry mounted it to 1/8" foam core & replaced the panel provided by Escape. Since there are not too many places to hang large photos in a small trailer, this was my solution.

[MyronL]

Using Formica wouldn't work on my RM8551 (one door). When I removed the trim frame and standard grey factory sheet the track was too narrow. So adding your Formica got my attention. Wondering if Dometic's newer fridges have a wider track---guessing yes. A good thing for us who prefer great pix like Jon's, (oh, and mine, of course.)

[KarenH]

And I bought a panel from Lowe's and had my son cut it to size (maybe it was a dishwasher panel?).

All good alternatives to the oak and other panels and very easy to do.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

On one of my threads from when I picked up the trailer, someone suggested that I use the excess Formica for door panels on the frig.

Brilliant idea!!! And one that I kept in the back of my mind, bringing it to the front from time to time and telling Dirk "we need to do this at some point".

That point was today. Super easy to cut with a jigsaw (I think that's what he used since he doesn't have a table saw.) I drew a line around the outside of the original panel with a thick sharpie and Dirk starting cutting away. He did a great job!

I just LOVE how it looks, so thanks to whomever it was that suggested it. I think it looks way better than the original door panel.

BTW, big hint here - if you want to keep the bottom panel pristine, remove your door. It will crack about 2" from the bottom on at least one side as there's not really enough room to pull it out. The panels are thicker than the formica, so it wasn't a problem putting the new panels in. I wasn't concerned about it cracking since I'm not keeping the original panels.

(So, if anyone wants 'em at the Spring NOG, they're yours. Just tell me soon or otherwise they'll be broken up and shoved in our trash container. The top panel is pristine.)

Really nice Laura ! Unfortunately because the door is rounded on our refrigerator the Formica I cut with our extra wouldn't work . Had a picture made at poster barn it's kind of works . Hated the panel on the refrigerator . Still trying to figure something to work . Yours really is the bomb . Pat

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by KarenH

And I bought a panel from Lowe's and had my son cut it to size (maybe it was a dishwasher panel?).

All good alternatives to the oak and other panels and very easy to do.

Interesting looking at your picture , did you always have a pole ? Pat

[Fox hunt]

I don't remember what color are the new refrigerator panels

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Using Formica wouldn't work on my RM8551 (one door). When I removed the trim frame and standard grey factory sheet the track was too narrow. So adding your Formica got my attention. Wondering if Dometic's newer fridges have a wider track---guessing yes. A good thing for us who prefer great pix like Jon's, (oh, and mine, of course.)

I don't have any to compare with. I just know the formica was thinner than what was on there originally. If I push against, it moves forward a bit and I can see a gap. But since I don't normally push on the frig doors, I'm not too concerned about that and it's not that much of a difference. When the panel sits in there you can't see any gap.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by MyronL

A good thing for us who prefer great pix like Jon's, (oh, and mine, of course.)

Yes, your's is a great pix. Looked good when you posted it on the forum but it was more impressive to see it for real.

Ron

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Interesting looking at your picture , did you always have a pole ? Pat

Yes, that's a long run of cabinets overhead without support so the 15A always had that pole.

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

Another thing I didn't think of with the new 21 - I need to come up with a new picture (actually, I guess two of them since it is a two door refrigerator) since the one I have on the current 5 cu ft fridge won't fit.

I remember you doing this, back before we ordered our trailer. It was always in the back of my mind to do that, but since we've got that piece of formica already sitting around, I put it to good use.

Have fun figuring out your new photo(s)!

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by Fox hunt

I don't remember what color are the new refrigerator panels

From what ETI sent me during the build process:

(Yeah, I like the black slate formica much better!)

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by KarenH

Yes, that's a long run of cabinets overhead without support so the 15A always had that pole.

Thanks makes sense . Pat

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

From what ETI sent me during the build process:

(Yeah, I like the black slate formica much better!)

That's a lot of oak for my eyes. Your Formica looks a lot better and breaks up all that wood finish.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Using Formica wouldn't work on my RM8551 (one door). When I removed the trim frame and standard grey factory sheet the track was too narrow. So adding your Formica got my attention. Wondering if Dometic's newer fridges have a wider track---guessing yes. A good thing for us who prefer great pix like Jon's, (oh, and mine, of course.)

Hi Myron as you know the original panel works the best . What do you think take the original panel and do the "Jackson Pollock " to the original ugly panel maybe a little thick "Vincent Van Gogh "because maybe as you know won't see the scratches the panel gets . I am being serious . What do you think ? Pat

[MyronL]

Best thing about the original panel on the (curved) RM8551 door is it's thin-ness. I replaced mine with the photo but still have the removed panel, which is light gray. Now if I ever get tired of the photo I just might do a Pollock on the removed panel. Or a Vincent, or maybe a Manet. How about a Hopper or a Rosenquist? Wait! I have always loved Wayne Thiebaud's stuff.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Best thing about the original panel on the (curved) RM8551 door is it's thin-ness. I replaced mine with the photo but still have the removed panel, which is light gray. Now if I ever get tired of the photo I just might do a Pollock on the removed panel. Or a Vincent, or maybe a Manet. How about a Hopper or a Rosenquist? Wait! I have always loved Wayne Thiebaud's stuff.

Since I didn't do the table yet , just cut it down , I may give that panel a go . You sure know your Artist's . Love them all ! Pat

[Nrgtic4]

Totally LOVE everyone's ideas! You all are getting me excited and my creativity stirring !

[Nrgtic4]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

From what ETI sent me during the build process:

(Yeah, I like the black slate formica much better!)

Me too!
Laura, do you happen to know the dimensions of each fridge panel?
Maybe we'll use and affix one of Pete's paintings ...

[freespirit]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Best thing about the original panel on the (curved) RM8551 door is it's thin-ness. I replaced mine with the photo but still have the removed panel, which is light gray. Now if I ever get tired of the photo I just might do a Pollock on the removed panel. Or a Vincent, or maybe a Manet. How about a Hopper or a Rosenquist? Wait! I have always loved Wayne Thiebaud's stuff.

like the graphics idea...perhaps stick with a smooth white door panel...and get a self sticky (peel to remove) graphics overlay with whatever graphics you want for the month....