How to glue self-adhesive film on the refrigerator

Content:

What might a glued refrigerator look like? Decor options
How to choose a film?
A few words about print quality
How to guess with the image size?
What else do you need for work?
Preparing the refrigerator for gluing
Detailed film application process
How to stick individual parts and patterns?

Home appliance stores have a large selection of colored refrigerators. But, they are not cheap at all! Three times more expensive than the same, but usual, white version. Why pay more? Let us tell you how to glue the refrigerator with self-adhesive film yourself, and then you will not need to overpay.

What might a pasted refrigerator look like? Decor options

refrigerator design options

Surely, for many people, the phrase "paste over the refrigerator" is associated with Soviet refrigerators, pasted over "under a tree." Then a similar "chic" was in many houses, due to the fact that there were practically no building materials. And those that were, did not differ in variety.

Now, progress has leaped forward by leaps and bounds. The films are so diverse ... You can make a refrigerator with a shiny, mirror-like look, you can make a cork or leather one, it can be decorated with an ornament, or you can just have a beautiful, monochromatic color.

In addition, there are panoramic drawings: the sea, night city, steps leading into the distance, streets and other stunning views.

In any case, it will look very stylish and expensive. But, with one "but" ... If you do it correctly and very carefully. The slightest irregularities and inappropriate seams will nullify all efforts. It will be striking that this is handicraft work and the view will not be very good.

Therefore, before you start, promise yourself that you will do the work slowly and carefully.

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How to choose a film?

It is not worth saving on it for sure. A high-quality film is a guarantee of a wonderful result, and a poor-quality film, on the contrary, will only spoil the view.

Moreover, a bad film has an unpleasant property to dry out and move away in the corners. And due to the fact that it is tough in itself, it is problematic to glue these corners later.

Therefore, take materials only from a reputable manufacturer. Read reviews on the Internet and only then decide to buy.

In addition to the original quality, there are certain requirements for such a film. It must be water-repellent, since the kitchen is a place of high humidity. The most ideal for our purposes are ORACAL films, known to everyone, due to the fact that they are used in the manufacture of street signs.

As for brands, it is better to take from European manufacturers than China. But, here we did not open America for you, of course. So, we remind you modestly.

A few words about print quality

picture print quality

It may happen that you cannot find a finished image that you like. Or, you will not find the right size ready-made motifs. Then, you can take the white film and give it to the printing studio.

In this case, you need to give them your version of the picture, or use their catalog. As a rule, there are plenty to choose from. Another question is how best to print.

Plain, large format printing is good when viewed from a distance. But for the decoration of the refrigerator, it is better not to skimp on special, interior printing.

Its difference is that its points are so microscopic that even, upon closer inspection, the drawing will be clear, like a good photograph.

How to guess with the image size?

Film is sold by measuring the size in pixels, not centimeters. This is rather inconvenient, since you need to calculate the size yourself. And it's very easy to make a mistake! But, we will not allow this. Remember this formula:

1 cm - 38 pixels

That is, if you have a standard refrigerator, 1m 80 cm high and 55 cm wide, then this will come out:

6800 by 2090 pixels.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated. But, in addition to size, in the finished pictures there is such a thing as the orientation of the picture. In our case, this is vertical orientation, otherwise it is called “book”.

What else do you need for work?

Naturally, the film itself and:

Sharp scissors
Spray bottle for water
Squeegee (plastic or rubber spatula)
Dishwashing liquid
Dry and clean cloth

Preparing the refrigerator for gluing

how to prepare the surface of the refrigerator

First, you need to remove all the fittings and doors. It is very inconvenient to glue in a vertical position, a fact.

Then, very thoroughly wash the surface, not bypassing a single corner. After that, wipe dry and wipe the refrigerator with alcohol to degrease.

Remember that if at least one speck remains on the surface, it will be very visible. Especially if the film is not with a pattern, but a solid color.

Detailed film application process

pasting with a film of the refrigerator

We recommend wet gluing. There is also a dry method, of course. But it needs experience and skill. Therefore, here we describe such a process that a beginner can master with his own hands.

Prepare a mild soap solution by adding a little dishwashing liquid to the water. With this compound, you will wet the surface of the refrigerator. Pour it into a spray bottle.
We lay the film, pattern down, on a flat, horizontal surface. Best of all, a floor is suitable for this purpose, which must be covered with a clean cloth or polyethylene.
We separate a small piece of the base from the upper edge, literally, 2-3 cm and cut it off with scissors along the entire length.
We apply the cloth to the upper edge of the refrigerator, pressing firmly and smoothing it with a dry cloth. If you see air, expel it with a spatula. If, suddenly, the air does not come out, you will have to pierce it with a pin and smooth it again with a rag. In any case, this piece will be under the fittings.
Then we roll the film into a roll.
We spray from a spray bottle onto the surface.
Gradually unrolling the film, remove the base and gently press the canvas to the surface.
After you have glued it, smooth it out thoroughly with a rag and spatula. There should not be a single bubble and not a single wrinkle.

That's all! When the film dries, and this is about 3 hours later, you can attach the fittings back.

How to stick individual parts and patterns?

You can decorate your refrigerator with separate foil parts.

The ornament from it is impossible to cut yourself. To do this, it is better to order a similar service from a company.

The advantage of applying an ornament is that you will not need to dismantle the hardware. And sticking small fragments is much easier than completely covering the refrigerator with foil.

So, you already know how to glue the refrigerator with self-adhesive film yourself. Now it's up to a little: do what you planned!

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