Steps
Step 1
I bought a damaged mini fridge pretty cheap that had been used in a hotel. The dented door didn't bother me, it still worked perfectly and the idea I had in mind fit for something that looked a little dinged up.
I wanted to make a fridge inspired by the Fallout games (and Nerdforge over on Youtube if there's any fellow fans out there) as a gift for my nephew.
First step after giving it a good clean inside and out, was sanding the whole thing down. I also removed the label from the door with a paint scraper.
Here's what we're working with
Looking crazy atm...
Step 2
I used masking tape and newspaper to block off parts I didn't want painted, then went over it a couple times with a red spray paint I already had on hand. I can't remember the brand but it turned out a lot more brown than I wanted. Rust-Oleum's Apple Red Gloss spray paint was much better and I gave the whole thing 2 coats. It didn't need it, I was just having fun with my second time ever using spray paints. Just look at it, so shiny!
Oh.... oh no
Future's so bright it's almost blowing out the camera
Step 3
Next up was tackling the logo, and this proved to be the trickiest part for me. There were official decals you could buy of course, and less-than-official ones, but they all came with price-points (and shipping times) I wasn't happy with. I tried freehanding the font directly on the fridge but I didn't like how it looked.
In the end I bought a magnetic sheet about the size of an A4 piece of paper from Pete's Emporium, blew up the logo to the right size, printed it out on paper, then traced it on the magnetic sheet and cut it out with a craft knife. This way I was able to create a stencil I could easily stick to the door, go ham with some more paint (basic acrylics this time) then peel off the sheet when it was dry. It wasn't the most crisp linework, but hey, it all adds to the post-apocalyptic vibe.
Magnetic stencil
Mixed an off-white for that aged look
It's really coming together
Step 4
Now that it was looking all beautiful and shiny and clean.... it was time to go in and make it look like this fridge has SEEN SOME THINGS. This step was scary because I didn't want to end up ruining the work I'd done so far, but it was also fun to see how it transformed as I went on.
Basically, I scrapped away at the paint job here and there with various tools (wire brush, sandpaper, silver kitchen sponge thingy). I wanted it to look aged and dinged up and like it was rusting. Then I went in with more acrylic paints (black, brown, and pale green), no real plan, just vibes, until I was happy with the look. I used a brush at the start, but a cut-up kitchen sponge and old toothbrush worked a lot better.
I may have gone a little overboard on the top... but I knew it would be mostly covered where he was putting it in his room.
Looking nice and grimy
I'm especially proud of the edge of the door
Doesn't that look.... pleasant
Step 5
Final step after I finished futzing about was to seal the outside with a spray sealant. I was worried it would make the 'rust' look too shiny and went back and forth on if I should go for satin or gloss, so I went with satin in the end.
Then I could finally take off the tape and newspaper, clean up the spots I had inevitably still managed to get paint on, and stuff the inside with goodies that had not seen a nuclear fallout. No actual Nuka Cola (or regular cola) included.
This was the first time I tried anything like this. I really enjoyed the process, was proud and happy with the result, a little sad to see it go, and eager to try my hand at my next DIY project 🙂
Wonder how long it'll last?
Off to your new home, little fridge
