Nuts! I just noticed I scratched my SS fridge door yesterday. It looks like it broke right through the surface and there is some white showing. Does anyone know if there are repair type pens/products for stainless? I have to say there is no way this is solid stainless steel to have that sort of scratch so I am not impressed. Meanwhile I have to find a way to fix it before I sell. Any ideas before I break out the silver felt pen?
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I think Clean Steel is just the name GE might have trademarked but other companies use 'alternatives' like it. I have to say, there is no difference at all in look or feel between my fridge and other appliances (different brand). it's really a good imitation and I probably would have never suspected had I not gotten that stupid scratch on it. Other 'no print' finishes I've seen don't look quite the same as SS so I never suspected.
Why even when I looked the models up on their website (the US one) I didn't notice any mention of it but today I checked the Canadian site and it did mention having 'clean steel'.
I have to say, it didn't take much to scratch it either. I was moving some things to the basement and I knew I bumped it but didn't think it was hard enough to cause that kind of damage.
Oh well, if I buy SS appliances again, I will know to ask now.
Just an update (and lesson learned). I called the mfg today and discovered my fridge is 'clean steel' not stainless steel, not steel at all but a coating. I have to find some paint or something to try and fill it or pay $100+ for a new panel and install. Off to the automotive section of the store I guess to see what they may have or maybe I'll search out my boxes of craft paints. Good thing I didn't follow the instructions I found to fix it as that would have involved sanding and that would have really ruined the finish.
I have to warn people, no one told me that this wasn't actual steel when I purchased it (turns out I didn't need to buy those special SS cleaners I've purchased at all as it's not subject to finger prints in the same way normal stainless so I am a bit PO'd about that feeling somewhat deceived. Even the book says 'stainless steel' when referring to the panels and such yet here the company tells me it's really not, it's a coating that looks like stainless (and it really does I have been completely fooled by it). I feel duped.
I wonder what my other appliances are now...
Yeah, I think you might be right. The scratch on my fridge (Kitchenaid -- I hate it) didn't reveal any kind of white surface. It was kind of like a scratch that you'd get on solid metal. So, I think the stuff I used basically took a thin coating of the metal off, which made the scratch more noticeable -- of course, I still can see it but I'm obsessive.
No but them I haven't actually tried yet (busy painting... and more painting). I did a little research are discovered not all stainless steel appliances are really stainless steal but instead a type of coating. I think that is what I have given the scratch is going right through the surface instead of making a typical dent/scratch type look.
I' m going to call the help number for GE on Monday to see what they suggest since this one isn't going to come out with sanding and it does seem the auto stuff like you mentioned might be the answer.
Have you had any success getting rid of your scratch, DBD?
Thanks I'll take a look at it.
There was a scratch on my stainless steel fridge door when we bought it with the house. I knew I wouldn't be able to live with it, but the cost of a replacement door was astronomical, so I tried something called Meguiar's Scratch X, which I got in the automotive department at Canadian Tire. It really helped make it less noticeable. It comes in a black plastic tube and it says it "removes fine scratches and swirls" and is safe for clear coats. I've also used it on the hard plastic doors on my front-loading washer where they had gotten rubbed by people brushing by -- shined them right back up.