So I saw this on Pinterest and thought I'd give you my two cents about it. It's sticky back stainless steel faux film. I bought a couple rolls of this stuff back in 2006 to cover old metal cabinets. In the end, it wasn't a great deal and I had multiple issues. In its defense, if done right, it will look like real stainless steel. There is a sweet spot to this product but I think most people would find themselves disappointed.
So first off, it's actually pretty expensive if you want to buy enough of it to cover a large appliance like the refrigerator. But mostly, it's not that easy to apply without getting air bubbles. I'd equate it to trying to add your own tinting to your car windows. I don't know if any of you have seen a bad tint job but that what it looks like if you do it wrong.
Plus, when it's a big appliance it's so much harder than you might think to do it right. Since the back is sticky it's really a two person job. One person to hold the end, another to smooth out the air bubbles as you go down the surface.
And DON'T cut to size before you apply to save roll. No matter how straight you think you put it on, it will be crooked and you will have air bubbles. You have to put it on, then use a straight knife to trim exactly.
Plus, when it's a big appliance it's so much harder than you might think to do it right. Since the back is sticky it's really a two person job. One person to hold the end, another to smooth out the air bubbles as you go down the surface.
And DON'T cut to size before you apply to save roll. No matter how straight you think you put it on, it will be crooked and you will have air bubbles. You have to put it on, then use a straight knife to trim exactly.
But if you can do it without getting air bubbles it looks great for a while although with my experience, if you don't tuck the edges underneath something they will eventually start to peel up with frequent use.
Also, and this is kind of important, if your refrigerator has any kind of texture to its surface which A LOT of them do, this won't look right....at all. You have to have an absolutely smooth surface.
So, IF your appliance is smooth, and IF you have a way to tuck the edges under something and IF your good at doing it without getting air bubbles then go for it!
If it were only $10 a sheet I'd say at least try it out. But for $100 for a 3'x15' roll it's not such a great deal.
Like not spending money? 
5 {comments}:
Yeah....sometimes Pinterest is full of it. But I still love the site, just have to be careful that an "easy cheap idea" doesnt turn into something difficult, frustrating and expensive. Like this. lol We need to hear more of these honest reviews/disclaimers posted on those amazing Pinterest ideas
I'm so glad you posted this. I've been thinking of using the stainless steel "contact paper" to cover my kitchen counters but I was afraid that it might not survive the wear that a kitchen counter gets. Is it real stainless steel or more of a paper texture?
I'm so glad you posted this when you did. I've been considering using this stuff to cover my kitchen counters but I was afraid it might not survive the wear that a kitchen counter gets. What do you think?
@American NannyFor a countertop? I wouldn't recommend it. I think any scratches would definitely show up in the paper. But I've heard of people making actual stainless steel for their countertops. Here's a page a found which had some good ideas to start from if you might be interested in that.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/house/367345-how-do-you-cover-tile-countertops.html
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