This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy.

How to Make Your RV Fridge Magnetic. It’s Easy and Nobody Will Have One Like It.

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

Magnets make great travel collectibles. You can find them nearly anywhere, they’re cheap, and they come in all sorts of fun shapes and colors.

Many RVers collect magnets from the places they visit, creating a visual memory of their trips for years to come.

The problem with displaying a magnet collection in an RV is that you need a magnetic surface to hold them.

Sign up for the newsletter today!

Please enter a valid email address.

An error occurred. Please try again later.

× logo

Thank you for subscribing to the Do It Yourself RV newsletter, keep your eye on your inbox for updates.

In a house the solution is easy- the metal surface of the fridge. But most RV refrigerators don’t have a magnetic front.

Don’t let that stop you though.

I’m going to show you how I modified my RV fridge to hold the special items that make me feel happy and give my RV some personality.

This is a normal fridge, note there’s only stickers on the front.

The original wooden panels - not good for magnets! Those are only stickers.
The original wooden panels – not good for magnets! Those are only stickers.

After the mod, a magnet’s paradise.

Turn your fridge into a place to display magnets (don't worry it doesn't have to be green)
Turn your fridge into a place to display magnets (don’t worry it doesn’t have to be green)

What You’ll Need For This Fridge Mod

  • 2 pieces of sheet metal large enough to cover both the fridge and freezer panels (can be found at any home improvement store)
  • Tool for cutting the metal – something like this oscillating multi-tool will do the job
  • Spray paint in color of your choice – to mimic the look of stainless steel appliances go with the Rust-Oleum Appliance Enamel in the stainless color
  • Wet/dry fine grit sand paper

For this project we’re converting a common Dometic RV refrigerator/freezer combo. This particular fridge had two wooden veneer panels held in place by plastic edging.

Steps to Magnetize Your Fridge

Step 1: Unscrew the plastic edging at the top of the panels and slide the panels up and out. Underneath youll be left with a layer of insulation.

Behind the original panel is a layer of insulation
Behind the original panel is a layer of insulation

Step 2: Using the original panels as a template, mark where the sheet metal needs to be cut.

Use the original panel to mark where the metal needs to be cut
Use the original panel to mark where the metal needs to be cut

Step 3: Cut the sheet metal. This thin metal is fairly easy to cut. Using the oscillating multi-tool, score the lines that you marked, and then simply bend and snap the metal. Be careful not to cut your hands on the sharp edges.

Step 4: Spray paint the sheet metal. You can leave it unpainted, but the metal tends to have a non-uniform surface that looks much better painted.

Spray paint with a color of your choice
Spray paint with a color of your choice

Be sure to look for a spray paint such as the Rust-Oleum brand that bonds well to metal. Rust-Oleum can be found at nearly any home improvement store and comes in a wide variety of colors. You can even find it in a stainless steel color to mimic the look of stainless steel appliances.

Step 5: Spray paint it again, and again, and again. The more coats you cover the metal with the less likely the surface will scratch.

I recommend at least four coats of spray paint. If you get bubbles or imperfections, give the paint a light wet sand in between coats.

Step 6: After letting the paint dry overnight, slide the panels back into place and screw the plastic edge pieces down.

A brand new magnetic-paneled fridge
A brand new magnetic-paneled fridge

Step 7: Load it up with magnets!

Load it up with magnets, postcards, and other memorabilia
Load it up with magnets, postcards, and other memorabilia

As you can see, replacing your old non-magnetic fridge and freezer panels with new magnetic panels is a simple and affordable DIY project.

If you want to keep the original panels simply slide them behind the new metal panels for storage.

Happy collecting!

SEE ALSO: An RV Bathroom Remodel For Under $100? – Yes It’s Possible

NOW WATCH: Slideshow With Tips On How To Replace Carpeting With Allure Wooden Planks In An RV




2 thoughts on “How to Make Your RV Fridge Magnetic. It’s Easy and Nobody Will Have One Like It.”

Leave a Comment

Welcome! Please follow these guidelines:

  • Be kind and respectful.
  • Keep comments relevant to the article.
  • Avoid insults, threats, profanity, and offensive remarks.
  • Refrain from discussing gun rights, politics, or religion.
  • Do not post misleading information, personal details, or spam.

We may hide or remove comments at our discretion.