'54 Westinghouse Dryer repair questions

[mayfairpink]

1. I just bought the dryer, the ON/OFF knob on right of machine is not attached (it comes away when pull out to start the dryer). How do I repair it?

2. Are there other colors besides white for this dryer? I'm thinking of repainting it, looks like someone cleaned it with a steel wool.

3. How do I clean the pitted rust on chrome? Thank you.

 

[hilovane]

Unfortunately, I can only answer one of your questions; until 1956, Westinghouse offered any color you wanted, so long as it was White.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

For the paint, I would try something like No.7 liquid auto polish. Nevr-Dull magic wadding is the best thing I've found for cleaning up pitted chrome. Both of these products are available at better hardware stores.

 

[mayfairpink]

"54 Westinghouse dryer repair questions

Is there an easy way to guide the vent heat to outside like modern dryer? Does it mean I have to give up the lint filter pop up feature?

Thank you HiLoVane and Kenwashesmonday

 

[turquoisedude]

Venting the dryer is definitely possible - there is a round opening that will accomodate a standard metal dryer vent pipe on the cabinet where the 'pop up' lint filter is located.   However, you are correct that the metal lint trap will have to be removed (and alas, will no longer 'pop up' when the dryer door gets opened...)  

 

Is the Start knob itself broken or does the whole switch move?  If it's the actual knob, a good epoxy glue should fix it.  I've had good results using the just the resin mixture from one of those auto body patching kits (the ones where you soak a fibreglas sheet in the epoxy-resin mix).

 

Hope this helps!   

 

[mayfairpink]

Repair knob

Thank you Paul (TurquoiseDude) I will try the epoxy.