Old Kegerator - Smells Bad - Can I Paint?

[LichtS]

I acquired an old kegerator which I am restoring now. The inside of it smells bad. Can I paint the inside and then seal it up with foodgrade silicone where there are cracks? It's steel.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[77punx]

I bet if you cleaned it up really good with bleach , then let some baking soda sit in it for a day you'd be fine. I acquired an old chest freezer that smelled like it only stored fish. Cleaned it up and it smelled good as new. But I don't see anything wrong with painting it either. Yes seal those cracks. IMO I don't think food grade is necessary, your beer won't be touching it. Its not going to permeate your kegs. Although I am no expert, so someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Greels]

When I got my chest freezer, it had been used to store meat. Mostly wild game. And it was pretty obvious.

I left 2 small containers, one filled with vinegar and the other with coffee grounds, in there for about a week (after thoroughly cleaning it), and it did a great job of eliminating the smell.

 

[LichtS]

Hmm... Well. I may paint it just because I am anal and I want everything to look as good as possible. Will also clean with Vinegar and what not also. Thanks for the tips guys!

 

[Rockn_M]

I would work to get rid of the smell first, then paint. If you paint over it there is no guarantee that the smell will be sealed up by the paint.

 

[LichtS]

Good call. I will clean and de-funkify with vinegar.