Practically overnight, the outside of my freezer door is rusting.

[Ineeda]

Started about a week ago as tiny dots of what I thought were spatters, but after wiping it down and on closer inspection, it's definitely rust. It's spreading like measles. It's a 20 yr old GE, works just fine, and both for financial and environmental reasons, I don't want to replace it yet. But it looks dirty. Any suggestions?

[NMDemDist2]

1. sand it down and use appliance paint? n/t

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

2. Most likely the seal around the door

has had it. What you can do is find the model number and serial number ,maybe on the back down by the mortar, or behind the door, wherever it is it is on a plate.

Than call a appliance parts store, look it up in the phone book, call the parts store, tell them what it is it is doing and you think it is the door seal that causes it. They will look it up and tell you that is most likely it or it is something else. Moisture/water leaking out of the seal can cause that. The seal is replaceable. Most likely a $20.00 or $30.00 replacement part. You can also find that out through the manufacturer web site. You must have the make model and serial no.The parts store rep. can help you locate that plate with the numbers on it. And the appliance parts store rep. can look it up on the computer which will show a trouble shooting guide complete with schematic drawing.OK so door seal.


Good luck.

[Warpy]

3. If it's on the edge, you need a new seal pronto

If it's on the flat part of the door, you need to sand it down to bare metal, prime it, and then paint the whole door.

You might also have a problem on the interior of the door that has been festering for a long time and it's only now showing on the surface. There is little cure for that one. You'll know if that is the problem because you'll sand right through the rust without finding any metal under it.

If it's only surface rust from worn out paint, you can repair it. If it's the interior of the door that's got a leak and is rotting outward, you can try Bondo, but don't expect much.

While it's impossible to get rid of 100% of any surface rust (I owned cars in New England and know that part all too well), you can get enough of it sanded away that it won't come back for a year or more.

If the freezer were a more recent vintage, I'd suggest a new door. You can call around to companies that refurbish and resell old appliances and see if they know where you can get a new door, but don't expect much from that department. They'd rather sell you a refurbished 20 year old freezer and take yours in trade.

[troubleinwinter]

4. You can repair the surface.

I agree with Desk Jet, it sounds like you need to find the cause, but as for the repair of the surface, I once had the very same problem.

There is a product intended to 'etch' the paint on appliances prior to repainting. A clear watery liquid (acidic) in a plastic bottle. If I recall, first you steel-wool the rusty bits, then apply the etching product. This permits the paint to stick. Then get Appliance Paint. These should be available at a really good hardware store or Home Depot/Lowe's.

Mine turned out VERY nice!

[troubleinwinter]

5. Also

It happened "almost overnight" in my case, too.

We did replace the door gasket (from the hardware store).

The thing lasted for many more years and looked great.

[NNN0LHI]

6. It shouldn't do that. What kind of environment is it located in?

Unheated garage maybe?

Don