DIY refrigerator seal repair

In detail: do-it-yourself refrigerator seal repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Often, on old and "seen" refrigerators, the sealing gum on the door breaks down. It begins to poorly perform the tasks assigned to it and deforms (breaks), while opening free access to warm air in the refrigerator or freezer. Of course, a slight gap will not critically affect the operation of the refrigerator and the restoration of the sealing gum of the refrigerator can be postponed, but if the sealing gum is strongly stratified and holes appear in some places, then this issue should be taken care of. Such a malfunction can lead to overheating of the relay and failure of the entire compressor. Refrigerator repair and compressor replacement services cost a lot of money, so it’s better to prevent breakdown by replacing the gum on the refrigerator.

It is worth paying attention to how tightly the sealing gum adheres to the body. The service life and quality of the refrigeration equipment directly depend on this. You can check the gap with a regular sheet of paper, about 0.2 mm thick. It should not move from side to side after entering the gap between the metal and the elastic. If it moves freely, so to speak, "walks", then this is one of the signs of delamination and the need to replace the seal.

The first way is to soak the gum in water. Carefully, avoiding tears, you remove the rubber band from the refrigerator body and place it in hot water. After the "water" procedures, no less carefully than the previous time, you put the rubber seal in place.

The second way is to warm up the gum with a hair dryer (70-80 degrees will be enough). After thoroughly warming up, it is necessary to stretch the rubber band while still hot in those places where the gap was found. After that, close the door tightly and wait until the elastic hardens (15-20 minutes). This method is especially effective if the deformation was small.

Video (click to play).

The refrigerator should stand horizontally, straight, without distortions, check this point before starting work.

First, it is better to clean the gum: apply 2 drops of ammonia and detergent to a sponge and wipe it along the contour of the gum. Removes dirt, grease and gives elasticity.

You need to check where the gap is by pressing a strip of paper with the door.

In places where it is, slip something under the elastic. If the gap is no more than 2mm, then it helps.

Hot gum exposure:

Heating the gum with a hair dryer (70-80 degrees) and then giving it the desired shape, it should "fall" into place. Don't forget your mittens!
Hot water, washing with hot water, from a kettle or other container, then shaping it. Do not forget to put a rag under the refrigerator to collect water, and also wipe it dry!
A more complicated way is to take an iron and process the gum with hot steam.

Check for leaks better - with a flashlight - put the included flashlight in the refrigerator and look around the perimeter of the door where the light breaks through.

The refrigerator must not only reduce the temperature in the cooling and freezing chambers, but also maintain the selected mode. An important role in this is played by the elastic band on the appliance door.

If it does not fit snugly, ice appears on the inner walls of the chamber, the compressor turns on more often, consumes more energy resources. Let's figure out how to choose a new seal for the refrigerator and install it on the door.

The tightness of the refrigerating and freezing chambers is ensured by an elastic rubber band with a magnetic insert inside.Its main function is to firmly "glue" the appliance door to the body when closing.

If it does not adhere to surfaces and there are gaps through which warm air enters the chambers, the refrigerator will malfunction.

Warm air enters the gap between the rubber band and the device body. It contains particles of water vapor, which condenses with decreasing temperature and settles on the walls of the chamber in the form of drops.

This water freezes. Frost gradually forms, and its layer becomes thicker and thicker.

This can lead to the failure of the temperature sensor. To maintain the desired mode, the refrigerator compressor turns on more often, runs longer and is less efficient than before.

As a result, there is an increase in energy consumption and premature wear of an expensive part. The consumer has to constantly overpay on electricity bills, and later - to repair a damaged compressor.

Refurbishing or replacing the refrigerator gum on time is an easy and cheap way to avoid serious problems that will inevitably lead to high costs.

The first sign that should alert you is ice. If the refrigerator is properly looked after and thawed on time, there should be no growths on the back wall.

Intense frost formation, frequent switching on of the compressor - all this indicates a malfunction of the sealing tape.

Sometimes problems can be identified visually. For example, if the tape is cracked, has obvious defects, severe dents, or comes loose from the door, it’s obvious that it’s time to tackle it.

The elastic band can also be loose due to poor care of the refrigerator. If crumbs are crammed into the grooves, the material expands in these places and then a gap appears next to it.

The gap may be completely invisible, but still allow air to pass through. To determine such a breakdown, the masters of the service centers use special probes with a thickness of 0.1 mm.

But there is also an easier way. They open the door, insert paper under it and try to move it up and down. If the sheet is securely clamped, the seal is good. If the paper moves under the rubber band, then the latter needs restoration or replacement.

Thick rubber bands are installed on the old equipment, and it is unlikely that they can be replaced with 100% analogs.

Modern seals are made from polymers, although they continue to call them "rubber bands" out of habit. Better to use just such a tape, making sure it fits.

Products are available with one and two-cylinder. Most models have type 2 seals. They are equipped with magnetic stripes, which provide a better fit between the door and the body.

The ribbons differ in the way they are installed. The easiest way is to change the groove seal (“herringbone”). If the refrigerator door does not have the necessary recesses, you can put an elastic band on self-tapping screws or a reliable adhesive.

The herringbone seal is removable, so it will be easy to clean or replace. Self-tapping screws and glue are more secure, but these methods are more laborious.

When screwing in the screws, it is easy to damage the plastic panel, and the adhesive composition is poorly removed during the subsequent replacement of the part - the tape has to be cut out.

When choosing a seal, do not hesitate to ask the seller questions and find out the details. If the product does not fit, you will have to look for a new one, and then non-obtrusiveness will turn into unnecessary expenses. Immediately you need to buy additional elements - glue or fasteners.

The work may require the following additional materials and tools:

a screwdriver or screwdriver, if the tape is set on self-tapping screws;
small spatula - for cleaning surfaces if the seal is glued;
construction hair dryer;
glue like "Moment", "BF" or silicone sealant;
solvent or white spirit for degreasing surfaces.

If the old sealing tape is fixed in the grooves on the refrigerator door, then you only need a screwdriver to pry it off and a hair dryer.

The refrigerator is disconnected from the mains, and the food stored in it is taken out. It will work most easily if you remove the door and put it on the floor.

If this is not possible, you will have to change the rubber band "by weight", which is not particularly convenient and may affect the quality of the installation.

Read also: DIY dishwasher repair

The dismantling method depends on how the old part is fixed.... If it is installed with a herringbone, the edge of the groove is pushed back a little, and the seal is pulled up, trying not to break.

If necessary, a flat screwdriver can be inserted between the edge of the panel and the tape. Prying it off, it is easy to get the rubber band out of the groove.

To remove the rubber band screwed on with self-tapping screws, you only need a screwdriver or screwdriver. But you will have to tinker with the glued seal.

It needs not only to be torn off from the metal, but also to remove adhered small pieces, crumbs of rubber. The surface must be absolutely clean.

If the new seal does not fit, all efforts are useless, so it is important to choose the right product.

When buying it, they pay attention to the following nuances:

Refrigerator make and serial number... If there is an elastic band on sale for the required model, the problem of choice can already be considered solved. The tape should ideally match the size and type of attachment. If not, then you can pick up a similar one.
The size... If it is not possible to buy a seal for a specific brand of refrigerator, you need to carefully measure the old one, determine its type and choose the appropriate one among the available ones. Such difficulties often arise for owners of outdated or unpopular models.
New ribbon status... The new seal may be defective. To avoid unpleasant surprises in the future, you should carefully examine your purchase. There should be no cracks or damage on it. A quality material has a uniform smooth structure and an even color. Lumps and sprains are unacceptable.

Sometimes you can't find a rubber band on an old refrigerator model. In this case, any other suitable sealant is used.

The dimensions are adjusted by cutting off excess pieces and gluing the joints. This replacement is the worst option and is only used in desperate situations.

If the tape needs to be glued, then the composition should be carefully selected. Experts recommend Moment. It adheres well to surfaces and does not lose its properties over time.

The only caveat: traces may remain on the door cover, so you need to work very carefully, immediately wiping off the glue drops. An alternative to Moment is BF.

There are craftsmen who prefer silicone sealants. They are really reliable, easy to use, flexible and have excellent adhesion to most materials.

When choosing, it is better to give preference to compositions on the packaging of which there are notes about frost resistance.

When installing the tape, it is undesirable to experiment and look for a different method of fastening than it was before. If the old elastic was inserted into the grooves, then the new one is installed in the same way. The only time you have to reinvent the wheel is when the door elements break.

Depending on your situation, you will have to use one of three installation methods. It is important to do everything carefully, without violating the integrity of the elements and the sequence of steps.

The following options are possible:

Gluing... The most important stage of the work is surface cleaning. They should be thoroughly degreased with a solvent. The adhesive is applied and dried in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions on the package. The door must not be closed until the composition is completely dry.
Fastening with self-tapping screws... If the refrigerator is very old and there is a "native" seal on it, it is highly likely that the fasteners are loose and do not hold well. To prevent this from happening with a new rubber band, it is mounted on self-tapping screws of a larger diameter.
Insert into grooves... The herringbone tape is inserted into the slots and additionally planted on glue or pressed with self-tapping screws. The screws are screwed in at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other.

When the work is completed, you should inspect the new sealing rubber, make sure that it is not damaged during installation. If everything is in order, the food is returned to the refrigerator and turned on.

If the tape is correctly installed, the door should open with some effort, and there should not be any coolness near it. You can do the test again with a piece of paper.

In order for the seal to serve for many years without repair and replacement, the door should be opened by the handles, without touching the rubber band.

When washing the refrigerator, be sure to clean the grooves of the tape with an old toothbrush and soda solution.

After drying, you can treat the gum with silicone grease. But it is better not to use oils: they reduce the elasticity of the material.

If the damage is local or it is necessary to restore the elasticity of the old tape, you can resort to tricks:

Places in which the rubber band leaves the door are glued with "Moment" or silicone sealant.
The deformed or lost elasticity of the sealing part is soaked in a basin of hot water. Option - moderate heating with stroyfen along the entire length.
If a few cracks appear, they are sealed with a sealant or other adhesive that is safe for humans.

Another point - if the tape is deformed only on the outside of the door, it can be removed and attached to the inside with the damaged area.

Finding and replacing the seal on the refrigerator door is all troublesome, albeit simple measures. If you don't know where to start, check out the video selection.

We have collected the best videos, where the masters give detailed explanations and demonstrate each stage of the work.

We especially recommend materials dedicated to the transfer of rubber to the other side of the door. This is a stopgap measure, but it will make life easier until you find the right seal and get ready to replace it.

Detailed instructions for replacing the element. Necessary tools, materials, work technology:

Tips on how to change the seal on the fridge freezer door:

Reconstruction and restoration of sealing gum instead of replacement:

An unexpected but working way to solve the problem is to rearrange the rubber band:

Replacing the sealing tape on the refrigerator door is easy. Even for an inexperienced master, this procedure takes no more than an hour. It is important to choose the right material, remove the old gum with high quality and prepare the surface well... The rest is a matter of technology. If you know how to hold a screwdriver and a stroyfen in your hands, be sure to do it.

The upper part of the gum has completely shrunk, does not fit snugly and now the freezer is dripping. What is the best way to restore the rubber band on the refrigerator door or reduce the “crack” without replacing it.

One of the most common ways to "update" the gasket on the refrigerator door is to put the gum in hot water and soak it well. Sometimes even an old gum is sold as new after this "shenanigans". It actually works - tested (though not by me personally). The elastic becomes stiff over time, loses its elasticity and deforms. You can thus extend the duration of operation much. Slightly loses its density - immediately soak in boiling water, glue back - and that's it))

Some people still heat the gum with a hairdryer, but generally dry hot air cannot be good for the rubber. Is that in order to pull it back a little after warming up in the place where the tightness is lost.

Another option, albeit somewhat extreme, is to attach the locks as on the chest. At least one - where there is no tightness, so that the lock “presses” this side of the door. This will solve the problem too.

Even the motor and capillary tubes break in the refrigerator, what can we say about such a modest component as a sealing rubber. You can cope with this breakdown on your own, without resorting to the services of an expensive service center. In this article, we will look at what to do if the rubber band on the door suddenly breaks.

At first glance, the elastic band is not the main part of the refrigerator, but the optimal and uninterrupted operation of the equipment depends on the tightness of its fit to the body. When the seal has come off, peeled off, moved out or torn, warm air from the outside flows into the chamber.

What's happening? It becomes too warm in the chamber, sensors constantly transmit information about the air temperature to the controller, and it sets the operating mode of the compressor.

The motor starts to work at full strength, and due to the fact that it is not possible to cool the constantly incoming air, it wears out. The refrigerator or freezer does not do its job well - food deteriorates, and you risk the health of the motor and the entire refrigerator as a whole.

Do not sound the alarm, as you can resuscitate or replace the rubber band on the refrigerator door if it breaks with your own hands.

It is not necessary to immediately change the part - you can try to restore performance with improvised means. All known methods are cheap and simple, so the help of a master and expenses for repairs will not be needed. Many life hacks have been known since the times of the Union, but they are still relevant today. Let's consider the main methods of repairing gum further.

Remove the seal from the doors. The procedure depends on the make and model of the refrigerator. There are two ways to remove the rubber band:

In modern models, the rubber on the door is fixed with foam, so it will not be difficult to dismantle it. Also, the part can be installed in a special groove.
Soviet models are cleverly arranged - the seal is attached to nails, so there can be problems with removal. Be careful not to deform the part, otherwise you will have to look for new rubber.

Now heat enough water to boiling point and scald the rubber. Leave in the water until it cools. Usually, this procedure allows you to recover shriveled material.

Attention! The method helps the seal to swell so that it can perform its functions. It will be relevant for refrigerators that have stood for a long time without operation.

Dry the part and hang in place. The rubber should now adhere more tightly to the body and the tightness will be restored.

The method will only help in those situations when the seal moves away from the door by no more than 2 mm. Measure the clearances to avoid wasting work. Arm yourself with a small piece of paper or cardboard (any material similar in structure and density will do) and place it in the places where there are voids.

Important! This is a stopgap measure to buy time if buying a new seal isn't within your budget.

What if the above methods do not work or did not help? Try to hang the door in the opposite direction, if the refrigerator model allows it. Before carrying out work, consider the location of the kitchen furniture and the possibility of free opening the door to the other side.

Important! This is a 50-50 way - it may or may not work. Therefore, before starting a rearrangement, be prepared for the effect to be zero. It all depends on the novelty of the model and on the degree of wear of the sealing material.

If the deviations are minimal, then you can try to glue these places. The effect will be temporary or durable - it also depends on the glue, on your diligence and skill.

Check with your store for the best adhesive. On the network on professional forums, we found the following options:

"Moment";
silicone (it is used, but due to toxicity, the masters do not recommend it);
shoe "88" and other options.

If the elastic is not damaged, but you cannot close the door, and food deteriorates and defrosts on the shelves, check that the door is securely fastened. Hinges could come off or screws loosened - correct them and check if the situation has improved.

If you find cracks and fistulas on the parts, if the gum is torn or rotted, do not try to repair it. Only replacement with a similar part will help.

The first thing to do is to determine the mounting method and type of part, in accordance with the manufacturer of the refrigerator. Sometimes in different models of the same brand there are different fasteners and types of seals. If the gasket is glued, screwed or inserted into a groove, you can easily replace it.

Important! You can purchase a suitable component from a service center or a specialized store. If there are no problems with the new model, then to the Soviet refrigerator, such as “Dnieper" or "Oka»It is unrealistic to find new and even old, but serviceable tires. Of course, there is a way out of any situation - get a longer sealing tape, cut to the desired size and install.

In general, the replacement process looks like this:

Remove the doors from the hinges.
Lay it horizontally on a table or floor.
Remove the defective part using a utility knife or other sharp object. Cut the joints.
Use tweezers to pull the rubber band out of the grooves. Be careful not to damage the doors.

Now install the new rubber band using a thorn or hairpin. If you made your own seal for your old refrigerator, cut out four pieces - 2 vertical and 2 horizontal. Secure the joints with glue, double-sided tape (use a car tape, it is "more powerful") or adhesive tape.

a seal is a cheap but functional part of any refrigerator;
you can replace the rubber yourself;
can be repaired without buying a new one;
you can cut the strips of the desired size for the old refrigerator.

The service life of some parts of the refrigerator does not always correspond to the declared one. Elements such as the seal often wear out. Replacing it will not take a lot of time and money if you make the repair yourself. We will tell you how to change the sealing gum on the refrigerator in this article.

Why do I need sealing rubber for refrigerators? A seal is an elastic band used to press the refrigerator door tightly against the refrigerator compartment so that air does not penetrate inside. If air enters inside, the refrigerator starts to work for wear. Damage to the seal can be determined by the fact that ice begins to freeze inside the refrigerator, which usually accumulates on the back wall, as well as if the refrigerator door does not close tightly. The gap can even be seen with the naked eye.

The gap in the refrigerator is determined using a regular sheet of paper. To do this, you need to insert it into the slot and move it. If the sheet moves freely, then it is necessary to replace the rubber band, otherwise everything works correctly.

In some cases, you can quickly restore the refrigerator seal with your own hands. Of course, if the seal is torn or rotted, you will have to change it. If the sealing rubber is slightly deformed, in order to restore it with your own hands, you can use this method: heat the place of deformation with a hair dryer, change the shape with your fingers and press the door hard, holding it for some time. Minor damages during such manipulations are corrected. In case of significant deformation, the gum must be dipped in hot water, and then reinserted.

But sometimes it is enough just to adjust the refrigerator door, if it is not tightly connected. In this form, nothing needs to be changed, just readjust. When there are gaps in the structure, it is worth checking how they formed.

Refrigerator seals come in different types and can be fixed in different ways.Products are one- and two-cylinder. They can simply be installed in a recess, or attached with glue to the surface, or installed using self-tapping screws.You also need to pay attention to the part that will be glued, it must fit tightly. In some models of refrigerators, special recesses are provided for inserting an elastic band into the groove. This greatly simplifies the whole process, then there will be no need to glue it, you just need to insert it into the groove, and the removable structure is easier to wash.

If you screw the structure onto self-tapping screws, this method can damage the door or the seal itself. It can be glued, but it will be difficult to tear it off afterwards. Therefore, it is better to choose a suitable rubber band for the refrigerator model.If the repair did not bring the desired result, then you will need to buy a new sealing rubber for the refrigerator. The replacement process takes place in several ways. This mainly depends on how the seal was originally installed. Consider several ways to replace sealing rubber:

First you need to remove the refrigerator door and place it on a surface. Cut the old seal in the places where it joins the door and tear it off. We cut off the new sealing rubber so that its edges do not go beyond the door. The new seal can be fitted onto double-sided tape.

To remove the old seal, you need to take a spatula and, lifting the seal, carefully remove it from the groove. Therefore, remove all old material. The new sealing rubber is installed in the grooves, for this you can use a screwdriver. Also, in order for the seal to hold more reliably, it can be glued to superglue.

If the sealing rubber has been planted on the foam, then a chisel or a knife can be used to dismantle it. First, remove the refrigerator door and set it on a flat surface. Cut the seal and tear it off. We thoroughly clean the door from polyurethane foam. In order to fix the new sealing rubber, holes are drilled around the door for self-tapping screws. Cut the rubber to the required size and fit it onto the self-tapping screws. We fasten the seal loosely, without tension. We put the door in place and with the help of awnings we adjust it so that it fits snugly and evenly to the refrigerator.

So, repair or replacement of some elements of the unit can save it. There is no need to throw away the refrigerator right away, only one part in it can be repaired and it will work as before.

Replacing household appliances with new ones is a problem even for the middle class. A refrigerator is a rather expensive and important element of any kitchen. Its breakdown can seriously affect both the budget and the morale of the family.

The most common breakdowns are door skew and seal lag. How to solve these problems will be discussed in this article.

Refrigerator door seal

There are several explanations for this. By visual inspection of the door, the cause can be determined. Physical damage, deformation of the door (dents, distortions of the metal, and not of the fasteners), due to which the door does not close. This kind of breakdown can only be repaired in a workshop or replaced with another. Deformed metal, which is used for external cladding of equipment, is very difficult to level at home. To do this, you must completely disassemble the door as a part and walk over it with a special power tool, and then assemble it back. It is not recommended to do this “on the knee” at home.

Loose or deformed fasteners. If the door curtains have signs of damage or the bolts (sometimes rivets) do not hold tightly, this is a clear sign of the door skewing. Its elimination is possible at home by one person.
A rotten, loose or cracked seal is also the cause of this problem. After inspecting the rubber pad around the perimeter, you can find the problem area. If, after a little pressure or tugging on the rubber, the seal crumbles or begins to sag, it's time to start replacing it.

Replacing the seal in the refrigerator door

Refrigerator curtains are a very tricky detail. They are attached to the door plane with pins. In order to remove the door and get to the mounting bots, you need to put the refrigerator on its side, curtains up. Do not put on the back wall - there is a chance of damaging the thin tubes that conduct the cooling agent. This is fraught with serious consequences.

Having examined the bottom, it is easy to notice the small bolts that secure the lower door curtain. Removing it, you can literally "pull" the door out of the upper groove. After that, the bolts (less often self-tapping screws or rivets) of the upper curtain will have free access. Sometimes they are closed with a plastic cover - it is easy to pry it off with a knife, and put it back after the repair is completed.

The backlash of the curtains is determined quite simply - if, with a small load of curtains, it "walks" from side to side, turns or makes a knock, it must be fixed more firmly or replaced altogether. Bent pins and cracks are a sign of wear on a part - get a new one.

Bolts - it is necessary to set the curtain at a level (90 to the level of the bottom, in line with the lower curtain) and tighten with a wrench. Sometimes a thin counter-washer is used to strengthen the structure, which does not allow the bolt to unscrew.
Self-tapping screws - a similar procedure, only here you need a flat or Phillips screwdriver.
Rivets are a bigger problem. Riveting can be done using a special set of tools similar to a center punch for metal. If possible, replace the old rivets with screws or bolts. This way you will quickly repair the door without damaging the refrigerator box.

If a crack was found in the area where the bracket was attached, it’s not scary. Most refrigerators allow for mounting on the opposite side. To do this, you need to remove the doors, free the nests for the pins from the plastic plugs on the other side and assemble the refrigerator, install the curtains on the other side. Cracks or holes in the old place for fastening must be closed with plastic covers (supplied with the refrigerator) or treated with epoxy resin (cold welding) in case of a serious crack.

For quick installation of the sealing gum on the refrigerator door, you do not need to remove it from the hinges. However, it is necessary to work in a well-ventilated room - the smell of toxic glue can be detrimental to your health.

So, if the problem is in the seal, then the first step is to remove it. Factory rubber bands are one piece that is glued to metal using a multi-purpose glue. It is easy to remove the gasket - it is worth prying it off with a sharp knife and pulling it by hand. In most cases, you will be able to remove a large piece with one jerk.

After that, it is worth removing the remnants of industrial glue. A rag with soapy water or a coarse sponge soaked in rubbing alcohol will work well. For particularly strong types of adhesives, you will have to use chemical solvents. The choice of solvent should be based on toxicity - only those that are safe for the respiratory system should be selected.

Having removed the old layer of glue, you need to order or make yourself a new seal. It is not difficult to find a suitable one for the popular models of refrigerators. The rubber part should be looked for by the exact model name of your device. For older models, rubber band gaskets will work. They are sold in hardware stores by meter or in special rolls of fixed length.

Rubber band gasket

The best option is Moment glue for rubber, metal, and ceramics with an average strength. Too strong glue will be more difficult to remove from the door leaf after unsuccessful pasting or at the next repair.

New seal on the old refrigerator

Some types of rubber bands have a groove connection or are screwed on with self-tapping screws. In this case, no glue is needed. The gluing takes place in two stages:

Applying a thin layer of glue to the corners of the rubber square, leveling with a water level, stretching.
Bonding the entire perimeter with small portions of glue.

It should be borne in mind that rubber glue sets in 15-20 minutes. This is sufficient time for the seal to align and stretch. When gluing the perimeter, firmly press the rubber to the metal - the strength of the gluing depends on this. Use clamps if possible. After complete drying, it is necessary to remove bubbles and wipe everything around the perimeter with detergent. The refrigerator is now ready for further use.

Replacing an old seal in the refrigerator is a simple task for an experienced craftsman. However, it is important to know how to care for your home appliance to avoid re-breaking.

Compliance with the defrosting schedule (for outdated models);
Periodic check of units and parts for rotting, unpleasant odor, crumbling;
Avoiding overheating or hypothermia (especially important for equipment that is not currently being used, but stored in a warehouse or garage.

By observing these simple rules, you can avoid the need for repairs and extend the service life of the equipment. It is important to note that a huge amount of cold escapes through the slots in the seal, which adversely affects the quality of the products and makes the refrigerator work in an enhanced mode. This has a detrimental effect on its resource. Even a small gap, into which the corner of A4 sheet will freely pass, is a potential problem and has a bad effect on work.

Here is a problem - the rubber seal of the refrigerator door has dried out. The refrigerator is very old (ZIL, but it works great), the seal is not magnetic - ordinary rubber.

The question is - is it possible to somehow restore (soften) the rubber of the seal or do something that would close the gap formed (For example, a layer of silicone sealant. But will it not be harmful?).

Give the address of at least one such store (in Moscow time).

2OK:
Chain of stores Iceberg, Morena.
But! quality - hmm, hmm, choose carefully and good luck.
Is Zil round? then it is more difficult - for a long time I have not seen rubber on them. A long time ago.
G!

I doubt very much about buying a new seal.
Zil is still that, he has a handle like old cars. and he is like that. with rounded shapes :)))
In general, as long as I can remember, I have watched it so much.

At the expense of ammonia, you might think, but kerosene definitely disappears - you can never get rid of the smell: (((

2DMC:
Try it - But definitely! this is one of the most reliable x-kov. Practically not killed!
G!

Refrigerators may be indestructible, but spare parts for them and the complete set are mortal, like all of us :)))

It remains only to find the required amount of ammonia, but I will try the silicone first, KIM-TEK 301.

Two years ago I called on an ad in an advertising newspaper, which is thrown into the mailbox, asked what kind of refrigerator you have, a week later we arrived with a sealant and replaced it. They just make them to order, this can be seen from the fact that the rubber is glued together from several pieces, but very neatly. An old ZIL refrigerator with a rounded door. It was in Nizhny Novgorod.

The best way to repair a gasket on an old refrigerator is to find an antique refrigerator repair shop and replace the gasket with a new one with the help of a specialist in that shop. In such workshops there are seals for old ZILs.Either they make them themselves, or they dug up a warehouse of antique spare parts somewhere.

If you want to fix the refrigerator yourself, then try these recommendations on how to reanimate the seal of the old refrigerator.

1 way how to repair the seal of an old refrigerator:
how to warm up the seal with a hair dryer, and then stretch it in those places where a gap has formed. Close the door tightly and wait a few minutes for the seal to cool down.

2 way how to repair the seal of an old refrigerator:
Remove the seal and soak it in hot water. Better yet, in a solution of ammonia. Old rubber will regain its former softness and elasticity. After that, the seal must be wiped dry and again glued to the refrigerator door or installed on self-tapping screws.

The tightness of the refrigerating and freezing chambers is ensured by an elastic rubber band with a magnetic insert inside. Its main function is to firmly "glue" the appliance door to the body when closing.