How we added a whiteboard to our fridge

[RVcircus]

A whiteboard? If you know us, you'll also know organization and planning aren't our strong suit. We struggle with keeping organized when on the road and that includes having notes scrawled on random scraps of paper tucked in corners throughout the truck and trailer. Well, to combat this weakness we decided to make a central place to keep notes while camping. And to accomplish this menial task I wanted to use power tools to do it.

The idea is simple. Our RV refrigerator has removable front panels that we've already removed and painted to match the walls. So, we removed the panels (the only thing holding them in is some plastic trim and double sided tape) and replaced them with whiteboard paneling that we picked up at Home Depot for $10. All you need to do is remove the original panels, cut replacements the same size and slide them back in. I used a table saw to make all the cuts, but you can use a circular saw, jig saw, hand saw, razor knife or any other sharp tool capable of cutting paneling.

To see how we did it take a look at the below video.

https://youtu.be/sqqKHOVrbv8

[TheBreu]

I thought of doing the white board but opted for a brushed metal look, like a stainless fridge.

[turbojimmy]

RVcircus wrote:
Where'd you pickup the chalk board panels?

Home Depot had them for $9-$10 each.

[RVcircus]

turbojimmy wrote:
Thanks again for the idea. I finally got around to modding my fridge.

I went with chalkboard instead of whiteboard. I got some cool neon markers as well as traditional chalky-white markers. No chalk dust! And it comes off easy.

The panels come in 2' x 4' sections, and the stupid fridge is like 24 1/2" wide. I was able to fit it within the door channels, though. Looks so much better than the 1984 wallpaper that was on the doors.

Where'd you pickup the chalk board panels?

[2012Coleman]

Cool! Looks good!

[turbojimmy]

2012Coleman wrote:
Must be using invisible ink...

Nope. Photobucket is a friggin nightmare with all the ads anymore. Took forever to get the 2nd pic uploaded. This pic was taken before the other one where the fridge is clean so the "ink" does clean off nice.

[2012Coleman]

Must be using invisible ink...

[turbojimmy]

Thanks again for the idea. I finally got around to modding my fridge.

I went with chalkboard instead of whiteboard. I got some cool neon markers as well as traditional chalky-white markers. No chalk dust! And it comes off easy.

The panels come in 2' x 4' sections, and the stupid fridge is like 24 1/2" wide. I was able to fit it within the door channels, though. Looks so much better than the 1984 wallpaper that was on the doors.

[Merrykalia]

Hornnumb2 wrote:
I think after the writing has been there a while its really hard to get off?

It is, but ours never seems to stay longer than a week. If it stays longer, you can use some isopropyl alcohol and a little elbow grease
to clean it off.

[Hornnumb2]

I think after the writing has been there a while its really hard to get off?

[RVcircus]

CharlesinGA wrote:
Somw thin steel sheet whiteboard would be nice, then fridge magnets, esp the flat ball game calendars and such you find in the free phonebooks you get in the mail, or at the tire store, could be stuck to them also.

Charles

I thought about that too...would make for a really cool upgrade.

[CharlesinGA]

http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-a-magnetic-galvanized-steel-dry-erase-board-projects-from-the-kitchn-217415

http://www.usmarkerboard.com/Unframed-Whiteboard-Sheet-Material/45180

[CharlesinGA]

Somw thin steel sheet whiteboard would be nice, then fridge magnets, esp the flat ball game calendars and such you find in the free phonebooks you get in the mail, or at the tire store, could be stuck to them also.

Charles

[RVcircus]

RedRocket204 wrote:

RVcircus wrote:

jfkmk wrote:
Very cool idea! Not only that, you got to use power tools AND curse when you cut it too short. It doesn't get better than that!

Ha! Making mistakes and cursing seems to be my specialty:B

For me, add bleeding to that list! 😉


Great mod!

Thanks!

Bleeding...now I'm pretty good at that too. I like to think I'm good with a knife, but I seem to cut myself with them fairly often. In my defense it always seems to be when opening a beer with a knife;)

[RedRocket204]

RVcircus wrote:

jfkmk wrote:
Very cool idea! Not only that, you got to use power tools AND curse when you cut it too short. It doesn't get better than that!

Ha! Making mistakes and cursing seems to be my specialty:B

For me, add bleeding to that list! 😉


Great mod!