tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post3740381161871166944..comments2024-03-21T23:10:18.096-04:00Comments on Hartwood Roses: Restoring Our Vintage GE RefrigeratorConnie in Hartwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09127877285792861166noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-89423183131593599562022-01-31T17:25:11.479-05:002022-01-31T17:25:11.479-05:00I have one just like it that I just restored it wa...I have one just like it that I just restored it was my mom and dad's they bought it brand new in 1950Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18243803800121594048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-79327364588794187962017-11-30T14:48:11.809-05:002017-11-30T14:48:11.809-05:00That's helpful, I have a slightly newer model,...That's helpful, I have a slightly newer model, it has a butter conditioner in the door, and shelves too. Taking the liner off would be a bigger job on my door. Any chance you have pics of the actual L brackets that held on the door gasket? The gasket on mine crumbled to dust and at the time, I replaced it with heavy duty sticky back insulation for the edges of a car door. It has worked very Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00298554351994848722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-2523985759923512372017-11-29T17:59:50.995-05:002017-11-29T17:59:50.995-05:00I recently inherited what appears to be the same m...I recently inherited what appears to be the same model of refrigerator. I found the serial number inside, not below, the unit, on the upper left. Mine indicated a March '56 date of manufacture.<br /><br />Thank you for the great blog post! I have to replace the gasket, too, and you provided some wicked solid guidance.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15748778051934161932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-30003434389159802712016-11-02T08:48:08.721-04:002016-11-02T08:48:08.721-04:00Kat, this fridge is still in use in our garage. I...Kat, this fridge is still in use in our garage. It keeps a steady 40 degrees, no leaks, no excessive power usage. From what I know, it's been running steadily since it was new in the 1950s ... only not running during moves from room to room in its original home, and for brief periods for restoration and defrosting here at our place. I love it!<br /><br />Since you're thinking of Connie in Hartwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09127877285792861166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-41657403854217042412016-11-02T08:47:24.397-04:002016-11-02T08:47:24.397-04:00I use mine in my finished basement and it keeps a ...I use mine in my finished basement and it keeps a rock solid 36F. Yes it uses R12 refrigerant (freon).Kory Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06581785210561427672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-30299623523603399352016-11-01T22:35:52.016-04:002016-11-01T22:35:52.016-04:00So are you using this refrigerator in your kitchen...So are you using this refrigerator in your kitchen? If so is the temperature of the refrigerator adequate, too cold, etc. And does it leak water on the floor? I'm looking at one and a little nervous about my wood floors. And what about freon? Does it use freon?Kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15867803998547928474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-22639532773173003202016-09-15T18:04:06.270-04:002016-09-15T18:04:06.270-04:00If anyone is looking for one like this, I have one...If anyone is looking for one like this, I have one and can send pictures. I'm in Maryland.<br /><br />tbrad@tbradhudson.comT. Brad Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07160383602106104990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-46515195465987125452016-08-14T13:14:04.983-04:002016-08-14T13:14:04.983-04:00My husband and I just bought a refrigerator that l...My husband and I just bought a refrigerator that looks like yours on the outside, but different on the inside. We really appreciate the tips about the door gasket as ours needs replacing. We hope ours turns out as well as yours did. You did an excellent job!! <br />Love antiqueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11926892822253994195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-8873009527182327072016-07-28T16:40:27.405-04:002016-07-28T16:40:27.405-04:00Let me dig through my photos and see what I can co...Let me dig through my photos and see what I can come up with. I can send them to you via email. PM me your email address at connie@hartwoodroses.com.Connie in Hartwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09127877285792861166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-51512450868464987962016-07-25T17:38:19.938-04:002016-07-25T17:38:19.938-04:00Any chance you have pics of the pieces that hold t...Any chance you have pics of the pieces that hold the door gasket to the door ? I have a 1954 GE fridge, it was my parent's, and has been in continuous operation since they bought it new, the same year I was born ! I love it and the only missing bit is the door gasket and whatever the gasket attached to. The old gasket had perished completely, and was removed, not by me, as I'd have kept Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00298554351994848722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-6878618467976448462016-07-13T16:34:00.111-04:002016-07-13T16:34:00.111-04:00My fridge was dirty with just a tiny bit of surfac...My fridge was dirty with just a tiny bit of surface rust. The softscrub took off the grime, and polished out most of the minor rust. We didn't need to paint, just wax. It still looks good. Sounds like the finish on yours is in rougher shape than ours.Connie in Hartwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09127877285792861166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-70023152529020234262016-07-08T21:18:44.641-04:002016-07-08T21:18:44.641-04:00What a great job you did! I just recently bought a...What a great job you did! I just recently bought a GE fridge from I believe 1953, but it has tons of rust and other surface scratches on the sides. Did everything come off just using softscrub and bleach? Did you not need to paint the fridge at all? If no paint, did you wax directly after scrubbing all the rust/ other stuff on the outside off? Thank you and I look forward to hearing back from you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09272790508822313296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-46894653666041128162016-07-02T16:02:39.966-04:002016-07-02T16:02:39.966-04:00I got it off! For the next person there is a screw...I got it off! For the next person there is a screw under a chrome cap in the center of the door. Then on the top right and left about two inches in from either side of the door there are metal clips that need to be bent. Finally there are four screws. One above and below the door clasping mechanism and two on the opposite side from the clasping mechanism. Going to check the local HVAC store for Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03737214525718152887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-2957075994446008642016-07-02T07:13:34.123-04:002016-07-02T07:13:34.123-04:00I wish that I had taken photos of the process of r...I wish that I had taken photos of the process of removing the door liner, to show what I did and to help jog my memory. From what I remember, I bumbled along hunting for screws and clips and eventually stumbled onto the solution. I think that's what you're gonna have to do, too. Since you have to replace the gasket anyway, it doesn't hurt if it gets damaged in the process.<br /><brConnie in Hartwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09127877285792861166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-18718623818362576982016-06-30T13:57:55.058-04:002016-06-30T13:57:55.058-04:00remove the 4 screws at the middle of the panel.The...remove the 4 screws at the middle of the panel.There are 4 clips that lock the panel in place you will have to push or bend the clips open. This will allow the door panel to be removed. Take pictures of the clip location so you can put them back later. As for the gasket you will have to make them yourself. Go to your local HVAC store and purchase it by the foot. Hot seal the corners AFTER you Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11765810799709654681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-78013574489133579912016-06-29T11:27:35.643-04:002016-06-29T11:27:35.643-04:00Hello I am working on the same exact fridge as you...Hello I am working on the same exact fridge as yours! I cannot find any instructions on how to get the interior door panel out. Did it just pull out or was there some stealthy screws somewhere? ( I want to know exactly what I am doing before I do it) Also I have been looking at the site you got your door gasket from. Do you recall which gasket model specifically you got? Does it make a good seal?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03737214525718152887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-30531836673129679612016-05-24T20:25:50.703-04:002016-05-24T20:25:50.703-04:00Actually, these old fridges use less electricity.....Actually, these old fridges use less electricity...new fridges have heat strip around the doors, defrost timers, ice makers, fan motors...etc.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04239268940783373805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-22759700834740581682016-03-22T13:08:56.087-04:002016-03-22T13:08:56.087-04:00I think I just acquired the same model as you. Her...I think I just acquired the same model as you. Here are some picture links. I hope it turns out as well as yours.<br />http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/cnweis01/2016-03-21%2017.09.55_zpscrziip32.jpg<br />http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/cnweis01/2016-03-22%2007.55.53_zpstlhgqysy.jpgAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04204941365909537702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-6405195849571770592016-03-17T09:01:17.915-04:002016-03-17T09:01:17.915-04:00Antique Appliance Parts is your source for the gas...Antique Appliance Parts is your source for the gasket. Here is the URL to that page on their site: http://store.antiqueappliances.com/Door-Gaskets_c_8.html<br />Connie in Hartwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09127877285792861166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-52404582432399245932016-03-16T17:25:00.605-04:002016-03-16T17:25:00.605-04:00I have the same exact refrigerator. As pictured ab...I have the same exact refrigerator. As pictured above. I cannot find a gasket for it. The person I bought it from, removed the model number. The gasket is probably discontinued. Could you tell me where you ordered yours? And what type you ordered? It would be greatly appreciated. My son redid this whole project himself and it is in working condition. Only need this gasket. Can you help me? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06283725151919238944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-34532129740250474322015-12-22T14:32:31.435-05:002015-12-22T14:32:31.435-05:00Hello there. Nice work. I stumbled across your pag...Hello there. Nice work. I stumbled across your page because I just bought the identical fridge off craigslist today. It's really clean inside and out and runs like a top. Anyways I was trying to figure out how old mine is, letter wise mine is an "AC" too which should mean Jan 46' according to GE's site and the next number starts H1 instead of your H3. Nice work, someone'Kory Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06581785210561427672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-81348689222394893702015-10-03T11:32:01.380-04:002015-10-03T11:32:01.380-04:00It was surely the dampness in the basement and the...It was surely the dampness in the basement and the lack of air conditioning that caused the rust to return. In our basement, I run a dehumidifier 24/7 all year round, set to 40%. It runs all summer, and intermittently in the winter.Connie in Hartwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09127877285792861166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-8038726931884986812015-10-03T11:30:04.800-04:002015-10-03T11:30:04.800-04:00I was thinking the same thing as I was showing it ...I was thinking the same thing as I was showing it to friends last weekend. He sells appliances and was seriously impressed with a 60+ year old refrigerator that still runs so well. Keeps a steady forty degrees inside!Connie in Hartwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09127877285792861166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-28147292141910650292015-10-02T09:13:09.856-04:002015-10-02T09:13:09.856-04:00After doing all the clean and waxing, our fridge i...After doing all the clean and waxing, our fridge is rust-pitted again. It is in a basement and humidity played a factor in the temp this summer, as the house is under renovation and no a/c was on. Perhaps I didn't use enough wax to prevent the rust from coming through? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12162374553696885144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489596100395140547.post-2993316162837229272015-09-30T10:52:21.750-04:002015-09-30T10:52:21.750-04:00I concur with the comment believing it to be a 195...I concur with the comment believing it to be a 1953. I have a 1953 park trailer that came furnished when new with the same model of GE refrigerator, and it still works great. I use it everyday. Talk about built to last! I'll probably wear out before it does.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05703577780940793359noreply@blogger.com