Did I kill my washer?

[opticalpopsicle]

Hello,
I recently purchased a 1989 ish Maytag LA512 extra capacity washer. These are my favorite washers and this is my 3rd one, although it’s my first extra capacity one. I was so excited!!! WELLLLL, I may have hurt my new washer and I’ve only had it hooked up for a half of a day . It was pretty dirty and smelly with lots of soap scum/hard water type flakes, so I thought that I would clean it. I used citric acid and oxy clean and now it smells great but HORRORS! The smooth finish has worn off the tub and it now feels like sandpaper. Did I just doom this machine? I am HORRIFIED by what I did! I was just trying to clean it! I thought that I had read somewhere that a good way to get all the residue out of washers was with citric acid. Well I guess that info was wrong. I feel beyond terrible! Is this washer now going to damage my clothes and/or rust out soon? Does anyone know? Is there any type of clear coat that I can paint on to try to mitigate the damage? I feel terrible that I hurt this great washer and I’m trying to remind myself that it’s just a washing machine and it’s not the end of the world, but it’s hard, good washers are so hard to find. I feel sick. Does anyone have any advice or insight?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Acid will etch porcelain.

 

[bradfordwhite]

Even vinegar can damage such a surface. Usually one shouldn't let it dry on the surface and to be sure and rinse the surface thoroughly.

I once found a similar MT washer on the road side which had lots of hard water stains. I thought I was doing the right thing by spraying the tub so it could soak. However, the vinegar quickly dried and when I came back to it a day later the tub was permanently etched.

 

[opticalpopsicle]

Bradfordwhite, thanks for your reply, I’m glad that I’m not the only one who has done this. Can I ask you how long did the washer last after you etched the tub? Did it rust? Did you notice anything bad with your clothing?

 

[qsd-dan]

The tub will last for years to come, nothing to worry about. If you want perfection, find a donor machine with a nice finish that's cheap or free and swap.

 

[bradfordwhite]

Unlike the nice machine you've apparently found, mine was a mid 60s single speed MT that came from an old farmhouse with bad well water. It was free and at the time I was picking up all the trades from an appliance dealer so I had plenty of stuff.
It was so hard water clogged and rusty and had iron deposits. it wasn't worth saving but it served the purpose of teaching a lesson on how NOT to use vinegar.

 

[combo52]

Etched Porcelain Washer Tub

It will cause more clothing wear but you can still use it, I would try to find a donor wash tub and change it out.

 

John L.

 

[thatwasherguy]

I wouldn’t worry too much...

I’ve made similar mistakes more times than I can count, so I totally get that feeling. However, I don’t believe that the wear is going to cause any real issues. From my experience, Maytag inner tubs of this vintage are fairly resistant to rust. When my 1976 A-108 died about 10 years ago, I kept the inner tub to use as a flower pot. (Ended up using it to store the garden hose.). That said, It’s been outside for all of that time, and there’s barely any rust on it. Also, the tub in my 1978 A-208 has worn porcelain inside of it. I haven’t really noticed any excessive clothing wear as a result, but I also haven’t used it a ton. It too, was (and still is) very much rust free.
Hope this helps,
Thatwasherguy.

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

What’s probably a better way to clean a porcelain tub

With a strong alkaline work? Since acid can etch the tub

 

[good-shepherd]

I used citric acid

I've never used citric acid but I have used diluted muriatic acid to remove stubborn hard water deposits.

The trick is to wet down one area at time with saturated paper towel or rag only long enough to remove deposits then quickly flush throughly with water.

No soaking or sitting, best done outdoors with a garden hose.

For detergent build up I use Bon-Ami and lots of elbow grease.

 

[good-shepherd]

Here an A712 donor machine for parts, only $15.

The catch is its in the Bronx..

https://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/app/d/bronx-maytag-washing-machine-parts/7539697903.html

 

[qsd-dan]

Here an A712 donor machine for parts, only $15.

Transfer the tub, console w/ wring, and 2 speed motor and now you a TOL washer.

You could part the rest of the machine for $ or keep those parts for the future.

 

[lowefficiency]

What about just coating/sealing/glazing it with one of those porcelain repair topcoat kits?

No need to take anything apart, and less work than buying a whole other machine and swapping parts around.