Stainless Steel Refrigerator is Rusting!

Hi Mary, I think you'll have to sand it first, then paint. Maybe you'll need a primer, then paint. Next call Home Depot, and ask about the sanding and the paint. You can rent a sander at Home Depot for one 24 hour period at a time. 48 hrs/ 2 days, plus a deposit.

Maybe you can buff that out with a rust remover used for car trim and then apply a finish of car wax. I would try that first before I even considered sanding. In fact i wouldn't even consider sanding.

Use a paste of even parts of water and baking soda. Apply it with a soft rag or sponge, going with the grain of the stainless or you will risk scratches. It might take a little elbow grease but it will remove the rust. Then clean with clean water and dry with a dry soft rag. Follow up with a stainless cleaner. Every site I searched said this is the best method and the least expensive. And it will remove the rust. Best wishes.

My stainless steel dishwasher was getting rusty, so after alot of looking on my computer, (I like natural solutions), I found one that called for using olive oil. It worked and my rust stains are gone. For the fridge I've used the stainless steel polish they sell. You might want to try the olive oil on the fridge. Make sure it is dry. Put a little olive oil on a soft cloth, and go with the way the stainless steel is running, probably up and down. It's going to take a few times depending on how much rust you have to try to go through. If it works for you, then wipe it down clean with a paper towel.

Some of the above solutions may work, I haven't tried them. But there is a stainless steel buffing kit you can purchase to get out minor scratches that could likely do the trick. I have used it before on several appliances and it worked great.

Here's a post that might help https://chascrazycreations.com/homemade-cleaner-for-stainless-steel/