Restoring Vintage Refrigerators: How Cody Wessels Turned a Side Hustle Into a Viral Flipping Success

When most people see an old refrigerator from the 1940s or 50s, they think of a clunky appliance ready for the junkyard. But for Cody Wessels—better known as “the fridge guy” on TikTok—it’s an opportunity for restoration, reselling, and creative flipping.

In this episode of the Next Big Flip Podcast, host LaJuan Diggs dives into Cody’s inspiring story: how a simple hobby of restoring appliances turned into a powerful side hustle with hundreds of thousands of followers.

From a Forgotten Appliance to a Thriving Side Hustle

Cody’s journey began with a 1951 GE refrigerator he found in his first home. At first, it seemed useless—but when he plugged it in, the appliance worked perfectly. That single

discovery launched a passion for flipping and restoring vintage refrigerators.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cody experimented with restoration projects in his workshop and shared them online. To his surprise, people loved them. Soon, he was not only restoring but also reselling custom refrigerators, transforming a hobby into a profitable side hustle.

Today, Cody has completed over 100 appliance restorations, with each fridge uniquely painted and styled. From automotive themes to retro designs, his one-of-a-kind flips have made him a favorite in the restoration and reselling community.

Why Restoring Old Appliances Matters

There’s more to Cody’s story than flipping for profit. Restoring vintage appliances preserves pieces of history and gives them a second life. Consider this:

• Durability: Many fridges from the 1930s–50s still run today after 70+ years, proving the quality of older appliances.

• Heavyweight Builds: Vintage refrigerators often weigh 300–500 pounds, compared to today’s lighter models.

  
  

• Design Appeal: Retro appliances with chrome handles, pastel colors, and rounded edges are highly sought after in restoration and reselling markets.

• Resale Value: A restored vintage refrigerator can sell for thousands of dollars, especially when transformed into custom art pieces for homes, bars, or man caves.

  
  

Each project requires creativity, hands-on skills, and problem-solving. With scarce replacement parts, Cody often fabricates his own solutions, making every restoration a true work of art.

Flipping With Passion and Purpose

Cody’s success shows how flipping appliances isn’t just about profit—it’s about passion and persistence. His advice for anyone looking to start a side hustle in flipping and reselling? Take small steps, embrace failure, and keep it fun.

“The second I quit impressing myself, I’ll quit. Every project has to be something I’m proud of,” Cody says.

Listen Now

If you’re inspired by stories of restoring, reselling, and flipping unique items into profitable side hustles, you don’t want to miss this conversation.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of the Next Big Flip Podcast featuring Cody Wessels on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube (above).

Connect with Cody Wessels

If Cody’s story has inspired you, there are several ways to follow his journey and even get your hands on a custom restoration:

• 🌐 Website: Explore past projects, view available pieces, or inquire about custom work at wesselscustompaint.com.

• 📲 TikTok: Join more than 345,000 fans who follow Cody’s creative flips, restoration tips, and behind-the-scenes content on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@wessels4u

• 📸 Social Media: Stay up to date with his latest appliance restorations and side hustle updates by following his other social channels linked through his TikTok.

  
  

Whether you’re interested in owning a one-of-a-kind restored appliance, learning more about flipping and reselling, or just enjoying the artistry behind each project, connecting with Cody is the perfect way to stay inspired.