Visit our Popular Forums

John · 02-01-2003, 05:43 PM

I went to remove my shelves from the frig, but didn't know how to do it and didn't want to break any of the retainers.

I looked at both manuals, A/S & Dometic, and didn't see any infor on how to remove them.

Could someone be kind enough to share how to do this?

Tks-John

thenewkid64 · 02-01-2003, 06:00 PM

John,

Some of it depends on the age of your refer.

If it is newer there are clips on one side that wedges the shelf between the walls. On the older dometic there should be a little square box that seems to hold the shelf in place against an inner side wall. The center portion of this box can be popped out. The removal of this cover will allow the shelf to slide out. The back side of the box will fall off the wall as the shelf is removed.

Hope this helps.

John · 02-01-2003, 06:14 PM

Brett,

I have the small boxes with a cover that encases the shelf siderail.

Do I take a small screwdriver and prey it off?

Do they come off with little force?

Much thanks-john

John · 02-01-2003, 06:18 PM

The shelves have a decent amount of surface rust and I'm wondering what is the best way to clean them up?

Paint? or Replace? or Sand and coat with oil?

Tks-John

Chas · 02-01-2003, 06:25 PM

I have thought about sanding my fridge shelves and spraying or dipping them in some sort of rubber, kinda like the racks in a dishwasher. I know you can get the rubber stuff in a can for dipping or touching up but haven't really found it in a spray as of yet, maybe bedliner in a can? You might have to worry about too much buildup which would make them not slide in as well.

Chas

john hd · 02-01-2003, 06:41 PM

john/chas

may want to consider new, or take them and get them powder coated in your color of your choice.

you will never have to fix 'em again.

or better yet, get 'em chromed!

john

John · 02-01-2003, 06:46 PM

John,

Would a auto body shop do something like that?

Chas idea is cool too if it could be sealed well because I could see rust getting back in if it wasn't totally sealed.

Also, do you just take a screwdriver and pop off those covers that Brett was talking about?

Mac

john hd · 02-01-2003, 06:52 PM

john

yes, pop 'em off.

an auto body shop would be able to tell you where to get either chrome or powder coating done.

that or let yer fingers do the walking.

john

InsideOut · 02-01-2003, 07:28 PM

John ~

We found a place here in Denver called Ajax Custom Plating. We had our door handles and license plate light re-chromed, as I recall it was less than $40 and we were quite pleased with the results. Check your yellow pages for a similar business in your area.

Shari

John · 02-01-2003, 08:10 PM

Shari,

Nice job! How would that hold up on the shelves? You know, dragging stuff across it.

I'm looking in the yellow pages and nothing under "plating". Any other suggestions in what to look under?

Tks-John

InsideOut · 02-01-2003, 08:15 PM

Try looking under "chrome", "metal refinishing" "auto restoration".

Unfortunately, the EPA has probably restricted these businesses to near-extinction. Anyplace that restores cars would probably have resources you could tap into.

Good luck!

Shari

John · 02-01-2003, 08:17 PM

I found a local company called "Premier Power Coating & Custom Chrome".

I'll call them Monday and let them tell me which would stand up to everyday useage!

Thanks to all for your input!!

John

InsideOut · 02-01-2003, 08:20 PM

Good. Glad you found something...I think either powder coating or chrome plating would hold up just fine. That's what's used inside fridges all the time when the shelves aren't glass.

Shari

john hd · 02-01-2003, 11:51 PM

shari

looks like you got a deal!

you are right about the e.p.a. i had my rear crash bar rechromed for my '55 harley.

it was 170 bucks!

small local company, called northern plating. it is a mom and pop outfit.

moral, make sure to ask price. then consider buying new or repo.

john

InsideOut · 02-02-2003, 01:13 AM

Quote:

looks like you got a deal!

Yeah...I thought we did too. Ajax Plating is a mom & pop joint too...in other words, don't go in usless you have time to spare listening to a bunch of stories.

It's located right down the street from us & "pop" was intrigued with the fact that the pieces were for an ol' Airstream. Being that 1) he likes "bright shiny objects", 2) I don't think he gets many women in his shop and 3) I listened to his stories about "the good ol' days" I think I got the "good-buddy" price!

I certainly wasn't going to complain...it was impossible to find a new door knob with the correct setback, we searched everywhere looking for a replacement. I would have paid twice that if I had to...a worn brass-ish door knob just wouldn't do!

Shari

john hd · 02-02-2003, 07:13 AM

shari,

i try to give the small business my first choice whenever possible.

my local hardware store is the same way, family owned. the third and fourth generation owns it.

it is in the oldest part of madison, in a 1900's store front. dogs welcome, you come in the back door, have had a non interest account for 15 years. just jot the purchace down and pay the bill once a month. just got computer inventory last year!

pressed tin cielings and worn maple floors!

i wouldn't shop any where else.

with a 96 year old house, 10 year old airstream and a 47 year old harley they are a valued resource.

not a place to run in and out of, plan to chat a while.

the way it should be! beats going to home depot or it's suburban equivalent and getting the blank stare from some gen x clerk. thats when you can get them off their cell phone long enough to talk to you!

john

InsideOut · 02-02-2003, 07:29 AM

john hd ~

My sentiments exactly! Although our mom & pop hardware store just went out of business...a Home Depot went in about a mile away a couple of years ago and they couldn't compete, so sad.

Shari

Jabba · 02-02-2003, 09:20 AM

John HD,

That hardware store would be just tool cool! We have something similar nearby, but they've modernized lately. Old places are still the place to go to get the rare, hard to find stuff.

John · 02-02-2003, 01:45 PM

I've done some looking on the net for replacement shelves to use as a base point when getting a quote on have my shelves powder coated or chromed, but it doesn't look like there are many or any places that sell replacement Dometic shelves.

If any of you know of someone who does, please share.

Looks like salvaging the old ones is going to be the way to go.

John

InsideOut · 02-02-2003, 04:26 PM

John ~

Cherokee RV here in Denver has a whole bunch of shelves and refrigerator components. I'm sure thay would have replacement shelves. It's a great RV salvage yard, not just Airstream, but it's not the kind of place that you call and give part numbers fro something like that. You have to sort through the somewhat organized piles, of stuff to find what you are looking for. I was able to find shelves for the door of our '64 Dometic fridge and they had tons on stuff for newer Dometics.

Also, have you looked into the places that fix Dometics, they may sell shelves too. Like www.gasrefrigeration.net or www.pplmotorhomes.com

Just a couple of ideas...it's gotta be pretty easy to find shelves for a '94...it's not that old.

Shari