Where to have DW racks recoated
- Thread starter travis
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danemodsandy
Well-known member
Travis:
You would think that remanufacturing dishwasher racks would be a nice little business for someone, but if it is, I haven't found it yet.
Here's a link to a PlastiDip.com page (in PDF format) that mentions a couple of things that might make a DIY reconditioning feasible. For one, it mentions a new clear product that can be colored using tints that come with it. For another, it mentions large sizes available for industrial use. Might be worth looking into.
In case you aren't familiar with PlastiDip, it's a self-curing plastic compound that you dip things into to coat them. Tool handles are a common use; PlastiDip leaves a rubbery coating on them that reminds me very much of DW rack coatings. PlastiDip also makes ReRack, a compound designed expressly for dishwasher racks, but that product seems to come only in white.
Seems to me that if you could get a sufficient quantity of PlastiDip and color it to match what you have, you could dip the racks yourself.
I dunno. But it might be worth investigating further.
You would think that remanufacturing dishwasher racks would be a nice little business for someone, but if it is, I haven't found it yet.
Here's a link to a PlastiDip.com page (in PDF format) that mentions a couple of things that might make a DIY reconditioning feasible. For one, it mentions a new clear product that can be colored using tints that come with it. For another, it mentions large sizes available for industrial use. Might be worth looking into.
In case you aren't familiar with PlastiDip, it's a self-curing plastic compound that you dip things into to coat them. Tool handles are a common use; PlastiDip leaves a rubbery coating on them that reminds me very much of DW rack coatings. PlastiDip also makes ReRack, a compound designed expressly for dishwasher racks, but that product seems to come only in white.
Seems to me that if you could get a sufficient quantity of PlastiDip and color it to match what you have, you could dip the racks yourself.
I dunno. But it might be worth investigating further.
Plasti-Dip
I sent them an email. I figure they sell to someone that can do it. I searched for awhile. Al I found was little bottles. I am not about to attack these racks with small bottles. The racks aren't rusted at all. If I start playing with the dishwasher and let them rust, then I'll have a bigger problem.
Maybe if I send them to Mexico, where dishwashers are made, they can do it.
I sent them an email. I figure they sell to someone that can do it. I searched for awhile. Al I found was little bottles. I am not about to attack these racks with small bottles. The racks aren't rusted at all. If I start playing with the dishwasher and let them rust, then I'll have a bigger problem.
Maybe if I send them to Mexico, where dishwashers are made, they can do it.
There are people who paint whole cars with Plasti Dip; they like the idea that it's cheap and available in gaudy colors but can be peeled off when the owner is tired of it. I see dipped cars around now and then, mostly newer high end cars, and would tire of it instantly. However, dishwasher racks are a whole 'nother thing and the car dip people have special tints, spraying equipment and know where to source large quantities of Plasti Dip. It might be worth contacting them to see who dips cars in your area and asking about the racks.
Recoating and Rebuilding DW Racks
Is probably not a cost effective thing to do. First you have to get all the old coating off, my guess that the best way to do this is by burning it off, then you would have to bead blast or rock tumble the metal clean of ash, rust and other residue. Also most people don't get around to worrying about replacing DW racks till there are badly rusted and sections are missing, which would require time consuming repairs and welding.
Travis, you may be able to re-coat your racks with several coats of marine epoxy paint.
Is probably not a cost effective thing to do. First you have to get all the old coating off, my guess that the best way to do this is by burning it off, then you would have to bead blast or rock tumble the metal clean of ash, rust and other residue. Also most people don't get around to worrying about replacing DW racks till there are badly rusted and sections are missing, which would require time consuming repairs and welding.
Travis, you may be able to re-coat your racks with several coats of marine epoxy paint.
Got a response
They don't recommend Plasti-Dip for racks. They said the water pressure might make the coating come off. They suggested their ReRack product. I asked them if anyone dipped racks in that.
I am thinking you're not supposed to restore your DW racks, rather just buy a new DW and feed our throwaway society.
John, I will look into have them marine painted. This is a future project. The kitchen is plumbed for the DW. I am just will need to save more cash before I order the cabinets.
They don't recommend Plasti-Dip for racks. They said the water pressure might make the coating come off. They suggested their ReRack product. I asked them if anyone dipped racks in that.
I am thinking you're not supposed to restore your DW racks, rather just buy a new DW and feed our throwaway society.
John, I will look into have them marine painted. This is a future project. The kitchen is plumbed for the DW. I am just will need to save more cash before I order the cabinets.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
This is Why....
DW racks in residential DWs should be solid plastic like the ones used for commercial DWs. Stainless fittings should be used for the roller assemblies.
But that would be too long-lasting, wouldn't it? Can't have that - gotta feed the Throwaway Monster....
DW racks in residential DWs should be solid plastic like the ones used for commercial DWs. Stainless fittings should be used for the roller assemblies.
But that would be too long-lasting, wouldn't it? Can't have that - gotta feed the Throwaway Monster....
Residential DW Racks
All plastic would not work well, commercial racks do not have nearly the usable space and plastic would also wear out and you would have the same replacement problems [ ever seen silver-ware baskets with the bottoms busted out ] No if they really wanted home DW racks to last much longer they would be made of Stainless Steel or brass wire and then coated with vinyl or nylon. In the early 50s GE had some DW racks that were brass and chrome plated.
All plastic would not work well, commercial racks do not have nearly the usable space and plastic would also wear out and you would have the same replacement problems [ ever seen silver-ware baskets with the bottoms busted out ] No if they really wanted home DW racks to last much longer they would be made of Stainless Steel or brass wire and then coated with vinyl or nylon. In the early 50s GE had some DW racks that were brass and chrome plated.
funktionalart
Well-known member
I might recommend talking with...
a powder coating company. They may have a good referral for you.
As mentioned above, racks would have to be totally stripped first. There are plenty of companies around who do dip-n-strip for painted/coated metals and furniture as well. Once you're down to a bare metal rack frame, and have the metal chemically prepped for it's new coating, a powder coating company may be willing to dip/spray for you using the proper coating material--which will likely be poly/vinyl based i.e.; those cheap wall-hung soap racks you can buy to hang in your shower.
It's worth investigating for having done on a vintage piece like this. Most larger towns and cities have somebody who does this sort of work--though a dishwasher rack-specific job MAY be new to them....and they might try and tell you it can't be done....but we all know that EVERYTHING is possible if you are diligent and dedicated enough.
a powder coating company. They may have a good referral for you.
As mentioned above, racks would have to be totally stripped first. There are plenty of companies around who do dip-n-strip for painted/coated metals and furniture as well. Once you're down to a bare metal rack frame, and have the metal chemically prepped for it's new coating, a powder coating company may be willing to dip/spray for you using the proper coating material--which will likely be poly/vinyl based i.e.; those cheap wall-hung soap racks you can buy to hang in your shower.
It's worth investigating for having done on a vintage piece like this. Most larger towns and cities have somebody who does this sort of work--though a dishwasher rack-specific job MAY be new to them....and they might try and tell you it can't be done....but we all know that EVERYTHING is possible if you are diligent and dedicated enough.
I sent an email to a plastic dip company for their suggestions. They were on a list that Plasti-Dip sent to me.
I will check with powder coat companies also. I don't anticipate using this DW that much. It's more for me to show us and confuse my friends.
The next step is to find a gasket. It's a simple enough gasket. It seems a shame to use something self stick. I am just keeping myself entertained while they install the tile.
I will check with powder coat companies also. I don't anticipate using this DW that much. It's more for me to show us and confuse my friends.
The next step is to find a gasket. It's a simple enough gasket. It seems a shame to use something self stick. I am just keeping myself entertained while they install the tile.
So far...
One company told me no and to go to Home Depot and buy something to spray on. Another company uses something that is cured by heat. It's $135 to start. I'll get a better handle on the cost soon. I would kinda like to use this thing some.
One company told me no and to go to Home Depot and buy something to spray on. Another company uses something that is cured by heat. It's $135 to start. I'll get a better handle on the cost soon. I would kinda like to use this thing some.
I think if I were to do this I'd likely choose polyester powdercoating. I think it has the best likely hood of holding up for a good long while. The only rub with powder coating is that it is hard and slick unlike the vinyl. I don't think it would harm any surfaces but it would be slippery. Would want to remove any sharp edges from the ends of the tines too since the powder layer will be a bit thinner.
You would have to get your existing racks perfectly clean. Bead blasting followed by a hot alkaline dip would do it. The powder coat vendor most likely could provide this service. If I was going through all this trouble I'd probably have the racks zinc electroplated under the powder coating for extra insurance.
Vinyl coating would be best handled by dipping the entire rack. Spraying I'd worry about the material flowing in around the welds. Any tiny porosity and it will fail in short order.
If the manufacturers wanted the racks to last forever they would make them from stainless wire as John suggested. It would probably be good if they were still coated though to minimize wear or scratching on dishes and prevent things from creeping around as much. Its not a matter of planned obsolescence or the "throwaway society" that racks aren't lifetime durable. This is really proper engineering, there is no point in making racks that would outlive the machine several times over, unless perhaps it didn't increase cost at all. Obviously our view of the dishwasher world here in AW is slightly different as most all of us have machines that are at double (or more) their design life. I do agree that today's machines need to be designed for longer lifespans though, but would people buy them for the increased cost?
You would have to get your existing racks perfectly clean. Bead blasting followed by a hot alkaline dip would do it. The powder coat vendor most likely could provide this service. If I was going through all this trouble I'd probably have the racks zinc electroplated under the powder coating for extra insurance.
Vinyl coating would be best handled by dipping the entire rack. Spraying I'd worry about the material flowing in around the welds. Any tiny porosity and it will fail in short order.
If the manufacturers wanted the racks to last forever they would make them from stainless wire as John suggested. It would probably be good if they were still coated though to minimize wear or scratching on dishes and prevent things from creeping around as much. Its not a matter of planned obsolescence or the "throwaway society" that racks aren't lifetime durable. This is really proper engineering, there is no point in making racks that would outlive the machine several times over, unless perhaps it didn't increase cost at all. Obviously our view of the dishwasher world here in AW is slightly different as most all of us have machines that are at double (or more) their design life. I do agree that today's machines need to be designed for longer lifespans though, but would people buy them for the increased cost?
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