Hole in freezer lining (1cm square) - possible to fix?

Plec

Plec

Plec

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I have a 6 year old Samsung fridge/freezer. with auto defrost - great condition. The freezer door was left open so I had to defrost it for the first time. I took the opportunity to give it a thorough clean and found 2 holes either side of where there is a buffer that stops the bottom drawer from coming out. The drawer has clearly been pulled too hard and created 2 holes either side of the freezer (I've heard my wife wrestling with drawer in the past, so I'm guessing her delicate touch may have been a factor.)

I've looked on the web/youtube for a possibe fix and for all the useless ***p that's out there i can't find a definitive answer (only for small holes).

Anyone in the know have any ideas on how fix, or even if it's possible?

*At the moment I'm researching tape that can survive sub-zero temps. Applying the tape over the holes securely and then leaving the drawer out. This seems the easiest fix for an appliance that is otherwise in perfect condition (unless the wife picks a fight with another part of it.)
 
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Mr.Cookie said:
we use a food grade silicon sealant, when I'm in the van tomorrow I'll try to see if I've got a tube and let you know the make.
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Thanks, really appreciate that. Although the hole maybe too big? BUt, if it's ok to fill it I'll happily use this as a fix as it would be better than tape.

Below is one of the the holes. As you can see I will need to sand it smooth.

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Mr.Cookie said:
It should fill that, I would defrost it for 72 hours, fill, allow to cure, trim with a sharp blade and ban the wife ;)
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Thanks, @Mr.Cookie - i have a few more questions, regarding application, if you don't mind casting your opinion over them:

  1. As the holes are quite big should I fill in two stages (approx 1cm squared - but awkward shapes)?
  2. Or can I just fill the holes until full?
  3. Does it matter if the filler makes contact with the inner part of the freezer that can be seen through the holes?
  4. Should i fill and smooth out the edges with the filler or fill as a blob and refine with a craft knife once cured?

*Or alternatively, could I use: Gorilla Water Proof Patch and seal Tape or Rhino Cold Weather Aluminium Tape or similar?
 
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We just dump a load of it in and leave customer to tidy as technically (no offence meant) customer abuse and not covered by any warranties, extended or manufacturers.

I think it trims quite nicely with a craft knife, but you could if the other runners that aren't damage mirror the damaged make some sort of mould.

Edit to add it doesn't impact on the blown insulation:)
 
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Mr.Cookie said:
We just dump a load of it in and leave customer to tidy as technically (no offence meant) customer abuse and not covered by any warranties, extended or manufacturers.

I think it trims quite nicely with a craft knife, but you could if the other runners that aren't damage mirror the damaged make some sort of mould.

Edit to add it doesn't impact on the blown insulation:)
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Thanks for the detailed reply @Mr.Cookie - and no offence taken, I can fully appreciate why you need to allow for customer abuse. :)

To clarify, I can literally fill the holes with 'your food grade sealant', and not worry about it touching the inner/exposed skin of the freezer?

I can't thank you enough if this fix turns out to be this simple. Thanks for your experienced advice.
 
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We had similar issues on a £20 fridge/freezer I scored while moving/renovating. Corners bashed off.

I used 2 part epoxy glue as it generally sticks to anything, builds nicely and is quite durable/flexible compared to say superglue. Worked fine although the silicone idea is probably nicer looking!
 
Mr.Cookie said:
we use a food grade silicon sealant, when I'm in the van tomorrow I'll try to see if I've got a tube and let you know the make.
Click to expand...
Do you have the name of the silicon you use?

I was going to order this DOW 786 (Safe for food contact) but would rather use what's been tried and tested by someone in the know.

Also, is it ok to fill the hole up in one go?

The holes are about 1cm square and it's about 6mm deep until it reaches the inner lining. Is it ok to apply the sealant directly on to the inner lining of the freezer to get full adhesion to fill the holes?

This would make it so much easier to fill the holes if it's ok to touch inner lining.

Any application tips would be appreciated.


@LuckyBenski - thanks for your input. The holes are near the back so that may be tricky for me. I'm hoping the silicon method will be a quick easy fix.
 
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have similar just noticed on our samsung the ice maker must have been out and not all the way back so the liner on the door has developed a crack grr , hands up it may have been me when the door didnt close a while back , seeing this makes me wonder if i can use the same stuff?
 
Funny, same thing on our Samsung fridge/freezer. The insulation still seems fine though. Looks like the white lining has just crumbled, clearly a manufacturing flaw.
 
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Mr.Cookie said:
Stuff we use is Dowsil 748, we have the 300ml caulking gun tubes but farnell list a 90ml toothpaste type tube.

Hope that helps :)
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Thanks @Mr.Cookie. That does look perfect but difficult to source - Farnell require a minimum £500 spend for quote :D

Would the DOW 786 (Safe for food contact) be suitable (it Complies with FDA Regulation No. 21 CFR 177.2600 and can withstand temp between -50°C up to 150°)? The bonus also being that I can pick some up, locally, tomorrow and I could get the fridge/freezer back up an running ASAP.

And thanks again for all your help.

CaptainRAVE said:
Funny, same thing on our Samsung fridge/freezer. The insulation still seems fine though. Looks like the white lining has just crumbled, clearly a manufacturing flaw.
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Agreed, definitely a design fault. Although, I joked about the wife she wasn't that brutal when pulling out the drawer (a little impatient, perhaps). It's obviously something that's gradually occurred over the years.

When i eventually get a new Fridge Freezer I'm going to cut the drawer stoppers off the drawer so that it removes this risk altogether (if it's of similar design). Already adapted this drawer to see if it will work once the freezer is patched.

The inner insulation on mine looks unscathed too. If you're interested I'll post back results. And for £10 (if the DOW 786 is ok) it's a very cheap fix.
 
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Mr.Cookie said:
@Plec never used it but when I clicked your link amazon spill say +5 to +40.
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Thanks - yeah, that's the safe application temps. That confused me at first, too - so i contacted Dowsil for the complete spec.

Spec sheet details the 'withstanding temp rang' of -50°C up to 150° and the FDA reg which, from Google search, relates to food safety (but you'll know better than I on that one).
 
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Plec said:
Thanks - yeah, that's the safe application temps. That confused me at first, too - so i contacted Dowsil for the complete spec.

Spec sheet details the 'withstanding temp rang' of -50°C up to 150° and the FDA reg which, from Google search, relates to food safety (but you'll know better than I on that one).
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I only know what I'm told ;)
 
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