Christina, those are beautiful! And I'm partial to Harvest Gold! Great find, have fun!
finally got my maytag 806 washer & 808 dryer!!!
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cornutt
Well-known member
You've got a pair of winners there! Nice find!
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
Happy! Happy! Happy!!!
Christina, I am so jazzed for you! Beautiful 806's!!! Welcome to doing laundry the right way. The MAYTAG way. Any questions you have, we're here and ready! WOO HOO!!!
I'm glad Dan emailed you with that trick. It shows me that he's still alive and lurking. It would sure be nice if he could email OTHER people. You know, like people who THOUGHT they were good friends and now live in Concord which is right around the corner from Pleasanton. PEOPLE who will very SOON have 806 and 906 goodness with him here. Take the hint, Dan. Please.
Anyhoo, Christina, you have just beautiful machines there and can hardly wait for you to join the club of people who have shot video of their 806's! (Hint, hint!
RCD
Christina, I am so jazzed for you! Beautiful 806's!!! Welcome to doing laundry the right way. The MAYTAG way. Any questions you have, we're here and ready! WOO HOO!!!
I'm glad Dan emailed you with that trick. It shows me that he's still alive and lurking. It would sure be nice if he could email OTHER people. You know, like people who THOUGHT they were good friends and now live in Concord which is right around the corner from Pleasanton. PEOPLE who will very SOON have 806 and 906 goodness with him here. Take the hint, Dan. Please.
Anyhoo, Christina, you have just beautiful machines there and can hardly wait for you to join the club of people who have shot video of their 806's! (Hint, hint!
RCD
firedome
Well-known member
Harvest Gold is da bomb!
Glad your dream machines found you! ... flower stickers would look groovy on 'em, we old '60s types "highly" (get it) approve!
Glad your dream machines found you! ... flower stickers would look groovy on 'em, we old '60s types "highly" (get it) approve!
Congrats Christina! I've been really busy lately and I'm just now seeing this post. You found yourself a lovely pair. You'll serve as a good mom to them for years to come!
Ben
Ben
hippiedoll
Well-known member
thank you:
rp2813:
thank you for the vote of confidence. the paint chips on the lid, are on the 4 corners, where the corners are painted black. so, it's not that noticeable, unless you're looking for them. i'm fine with them actually. just as long as it doesn't cause any damage. i was thinking of even using black nailpolish, just to coat the bare metal?
goatfarmer:
"hazel" came to my mind too, when i was thinking "alice". and they would definitely be "working" at getting the clothes clean & dried. ;o)
hm hm hm....
DigAPony:
thank you for the vaseline tip. i let the agitator shaft air-dry all day long. and at night, i coated it nicely with the vaseline. you know, the agitator comes off & on so easily now, without hardly any effort. no more lower back strain
)
hm hm hm....
and thanks for the tip about the automotive polishing compound on a damp soft rag. i will keep that in mind, once i get the dryer in the laundry room and everything situated.
floyde:
thanks, & i do remember the avocado set you got last june. i believe they were in palm springs, right? i had my eye on them too. hm hm....
i am so glad they went to a good home & that your washer is running like a dream now.)
Frigilux:
better late than never! and thank you. i'm liking the flexibility of options too!! something that i was looking forward to, since i like to wash blouses on gentle and have a fast spin. and you got it! for me taking all the pictures i took. i was kind of afraid i might burn some out, with all the pictures i was taking. ;o)
hm hm hm....
electronicontrl:
thank you.
WOOO WOOO!!!)
rogera608s:
thanks roger. the crud actually cleaned off pretty easily. i used that handled brush that you used on the lint filter. and that got most of the crud off, with some water & dish soap. the parts that were more stubborn, i used the toothbrush-sized wire-brush. and that took of the crud that was stuck on.
when you come over, you can give the agitator a tug & see how easily it comes off & pops back on now. ;o)
mandorob:
thank you rob. oh wow! what a sweet offer!! that is so nice of you to offer me some harvest gold paint for touch-ups. you can get my email address from my profile and send me an email so we can discuss details.
thank you rob.)
washerlover:
thank you todd. harvest gold seems to have been a pretty popular color from the 1970's, huh? the 208 i got was also harvest gold.
cornutt:
thank you)
Redcarpetdrew:
thank you so much for letting me know you are here & ready, if i have any questions. i am so over the moon and glad that they were in such good condition & not needing alot of work!!!
and i hope dan reads your message & says hi)
as for a video, i do have a youtube account, but i don't know how to do the video? i'm not very hip when it comes to technology/
i know i can make a video on my cell phone. but how to get that video onto youtube, i wouldn't know how to carry that out. but i'm open to having someone try to explain it to me so that i can make a video & post it?? ;o)
firedome:
thank you. and thanks man, for the vote of confidence on the "rickie tickies". i still have to figure out which colors and where?
at first, i think one big flower in the center of the lid and maybe 2 smaller ones in the corner of the front panel. then i think, maybe one in the corner of the lid and a big one in the center of the front panel? so many possibilities... ;o)
will definitely post pics once i get them all decked out in their flower accents.
hm hm hm....
swestoyz:
thank you. i'm glad you got the chance to read the thread & see the pictures. thanks ben)
thank you all again. i really do appreciate your kind words, encouragement, tips, and offers. they really mean alot and put a smile on my face)
rp2813:
thank you for the vote of confidence. the paint chips on the lid, are on the 4 corners, where the corners are painted black. so, it's not that noticeable, unless you're looking for them. i'm fine with them actually. just as long as it doesn't cause any damage. i was thinking of even using black nailpolish, just to coat the bare metal?
goatfarmer:
"hazel" came to my mind too, when i was thinking "alice". and they would definitely be "working" at getting the clothes clean & dried. ;o)
hm hm hm....
DigAPony:
thank you for the vaseline tip. i let the agitator shaft air-dry all day long. and at night, i coated it nicely with the vaseline. you know, the agitator comes off & on so easily now, without hardly any effort. no more lower back strain
)hm hm hm....
and thanks for the tip about the automotive polishing compound on a damp soft rag. i will keep that in mind, once i get the dryer in the laundry room and everything situated.
floyde:
thanks, & i do remember the avocado set you got last june. i believe they were in palm springs, right? i had my eye on them too. hm hm....
i am so glad they went to a good home & that your washer is running like a dream now.
)Frigilux:
better late than never! and thank you. i'm liking the flexibility of options too!! something that i was looking forward to, since i like to wash blouses on gentle and have a fast spin. and you got it! for me taking all the pictures i took. i was kind of afraid i might burn some out, with all the pictures i was taking. ;o)
hm hm hm....
electronicontrl:
thank you.
WOOO WOOO!!!
)rogera608s:
thanks roger. the crud actually cleaned off pretty easily. i used that handled brush that you used on the lint filter. and that got most of the crud off, with some water & dish soap. the parts that were more stubborn, i used the toothbrush-sized wire-brush. and that took of the crud that was stuck on.
when you come over, you can give the agitator a tug & see how easily it comes off & pops back on now. ;o)
mandorob:
thank you rob. oh wow! what a sweet offer!! that is so nice of you to offer me some harvest gold paint for touch-ups. you can get my email address from my profile and send me an email so we can discuss details.
thank you rob.
)washerlover:
thank you todd. harvest gold seems to have been a pretty popular color from the 1970's, huh? the 208 i got was also harvest gold.
cornutt:
thank you
)Redcarpetdrew:
thank you so much for letting me know you are here & ready, if i have any questions. i am so over the moon and glad that they were in such good condition & not needing alot of work!!!
and i hope dan reads your message & says hi
)as for a video, i do have a youtube account, but i don't know how to do the video? i'm not very hip when it comes to technology
/i know i can make a video on my cell phone. but how to get that video onto youtube, i wouldn't know how to carry that out. but i'm open to having someone try to explain it to me so that i can make a video & post it?? ;o)
firedome:
thank you. and thanks man, for the vote of confidence on the "rickie tickies". i still have to figure out which colors and where?
at first, i think one big flower in the center of the lid and maybe 2 smaller ones in the corner of the front panel. then i think, maybe one in the corner of the lid and a big one in the center of the front panel? so many possibilities... ;o)
will definitely post pics once i get them all decked out in their flower accents.
hm hm hm....
swestoyz:
thank you. i'm glad you got the chance to read the thread & see the pictures. thanks ben
)thank you all again. i really do appreciate your kind words, encouragement, tips, and offers. they really mean alot and put a smile on my face
)Congrats on your new acquisitions! They look to be in amazing shape and a lighted control panel is definitely worth it!!
Christina, always appreciate your taking the time to thank all of us individually! That's an awesome set, not being a huge Maytag fan, but you've inspired me to get my turquoise (circa 1962ish?) Highlanders up and running. Washer timer shorted out or something and haven't had the time or knowledge to try to fix it. But you've given me renewed energy!
mr-maytag
Well-known member
Congratulations, Christina! So happy for you. Very exciting!
Ted
Ted
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Christina:
I just wanted to add my congratulations on this fine set. I have the same pair in Almond as daily drivers, and an earlier White set is undergoing restoration.
You've obviously been spending your time here on AW.org picking up the information you needed to make a sound judgement on buying these beauties. In fact, I hope someday you'll go through your old posts, to see how far you've come since then. I think you've educated yourself more - in less time - than almost any new collector I've ever seen.
I think those machines dropped into your lap because the appliance gods felt you were ready for them!
You've paid your dues, now enjoy.
I just wanted to add my congratulations on this fine set. I have the same pair in Almond as daily drivers, and an earlier White set is undergoing restoration.
You've obviously been spending your time here on AW.org picking up the information you needed to make a sound judgement on buying these beauties. In fact, I hope someday you'll go through your old posts, to see how far you've come since then. I think you've educated yourself more - in less time - than almost any new collector I've ever seen.
I think those machines dropped into your lap because the appliance gods felt you were ready for them!
You've paid your dues, now enjoy.
You could also call it Rosie, after the Jetson's maid.
At the end of GREEN ACRES Season 1, episode 25, "Double Drick", (CBS, March 23, 1966), the blackout, is theorized to have been caused when Mr. (Oliver) Douglas plugs an extension cord into the outlet at the top of a power pole which was just installed by the inept employees of the local public utility...
As he holds an extension cord and prepares to plug his the new power outlet, the film freezes... A voice-over credits "the Douglases getting electricity with the Great Northeast Blackout of November 9, 1965, the infamous day thirty million people were plunged into darkness"... As the film resumes, sparks fly from the outlet and the words "Double Drick!" appear on-screen...
Wonder, then, who or what type of incident, caused the major power-outage in the Summer of 2003?! (LOL!)
-- Dave
As he holds an extension cord and prepares to plug his the new power outlet, the film freezes... A voice-over credits "the Douglases getting electricity with the Great Northeast Blackout of November 9, 1965, the infamous day thirty million people were plunged into darkness"... As the film resumes, sparks fly from the outlet and the words "Double Drick!" appear on-screen...
Wonder, then, who or what type of incident, caused the major power-outage in the Summer of 2003?! (LOL!)
-- Dave
hippiedoll
Well-known member
thank you....
114jwh:
i am definitely amazed at the condition that these are in too! i still can't believe i have a set of my very own & that i am actually seeing them in person. i feel like i need to pinch myself to believe it.
hm hm hm...
like i said, i was happy with my 608 washer's abilities & tub size, but trying to remember to catch the "GENTLE" washing cycle in spin mode, to push the "REGULAR" button for fast spinning, and then, remember to come back and push the "GENTLE" button, for the slow agitation for the rinse cycle, was well, let's just say that like 80% of the time, i got "GENTLE" washing agitation & "REGULAR" rinsing agitation, because i forgot to switch it back. LOL.....
thank God, none of my blouses suffered rips, snags, pulls, or runs!!!
but now, with the 806, i don't have to worry about running back & forth, to change the machine from "GENTLE" & "REGULAR"!!!)
the lighted control panel is a plus, but the main thing is the settings (for me)!!!
;o)
washerlover:
ALRIGHT!!! i'm glad that my thread & set have inspired you to get your "turquoise (circa 1962ish?) Highlanders up and running". that is too cool!! i hope that the timer issue won't be to difficult of an issue. and yes, it's best to take advantage of the renewed energy that you've gotten, to tackle this and get your highlanders working again!!
be sure to keep us posted of your progress & be sure to take some pictures too. i bet they are beautiful!! GOOD LUCK & positive vibes to you. i'll be keeping my fingers crossd for you!!!
;o)
mr-maytag:
these are almost as exciting as your BRAND NEW/still in the box, speed queen twin tub washer!! i think we are both riding on the same cloud of elation right now.
hm hm hm....
)
danemodsandy:
i was wondering if you were going to see this thread & when i was going to hear from you??!!??
you know, i also have to thank you for nudging me towards the 806 as well. if it wasn't for you & your coaxing me, to look at all the advantages of an 806, i probably wouldn't have given it an extra thought. and so, i thank you sandy, for pointing out the pluses of having an 806. you were definitely the major influence, in my decision of considering, looking at, and wanting, to get an 806!! if not for you, i probably would have stayed with my 608.
and as you suggested, believe it or not but, i have read through some of my old posts here in the group, and sometimes i laugh out loud, at some of the things i've typed. BOY, i sure was clueless about maytag washers, at the very beginning. and you are right, i have definitely learned ALOT from this friendly, knowledgeable, and patient group of collectors & enthusiasts!! thanks to you all, i can now tell the difference between a maytag 308, 408, 608, 806, and of course, a 906, just by looking at the control panel! something i thought i would never accomplish!
you know, i considered myself to be a "HOOVER honey", when i first started out, searching & hunting for my hoover twin tub washer. but, i have to say that i have now been converted & i'm officially a "MAYTAG mama"!!!
LOL.....
thank you again sandy.
D
goatfarmer:
i did think about the name "rosie" too, because of the jetsons. but you know, i really didn't dig on the jetsons much. it wasn't a cartoon that i watched very often. but it did have a catchy jingle, didn't it??
"meet george jetson"...
hm hm hm.....
;o)
114jwh:
i am definitely amazed at the condition that these are in too! i still can't believe i have a set of my very own & that i am actually seeing them in person. i feel like i need to pinch myself to believe it.
hm hm hm...
like i said, i was happy with my 608 washer's abilities & tub size, but trying to remember to catch the "GENTLE" washing cycle in spin mode, to push the "REGULAR" button for fast spinning, and then, remember to come back and push the "GENTLE" button, for the slow agitation for the rinse cycle, was well, let's just say that like 80% of the time, i got "GENTLE" washing agitation & "REGULAR" rinsing agitation, because i forgot to switch it back. LOL.....
thank God, none of my blouses suffered rips, snags, pulls, or runs!!!
but now, with the 806, i don't have to worry about running back & forth, to change the machine from "GENTLE" & "REGULAR"!!!
)the lighted control panel is a plus, but the main thing is the settings (for me)!!!
;o)
washerlover:
ALRIGHT!!! i'm glad that my thread & set have inspired you to get your "turquoise (circa 1962ish?) Highlanders up and running". that is too cool!! i hope that the timer issue won't be to difficult of an issue. and yes, it's best to take advantage of the renewed energy that you've gotten, to tackle this and get your highlanders working again!!
be sure to keep us posted of your progress & be sure to take some pictures too. i bet they are beautiful!! GOOD LUCK & positive vibes to you. i'll be keeping my fingers crossd for you!!!
;o)
mr-maytag:
these are almost as exciting as your BRAND NEW/still in the box, speed queen twin tub washer!! i think we are both riding on the same cloud of elation right now.
hm hm hm....
)danemodsandy:
i was wondering if you were going to see this thread & when i was going to hear from you??!!??
you know, i also have to thank you for nudging me towards the 806 as well. if it wasn't for you & your coaxing me, to look at all the advantages of an 806, i probably wouldn't have given it an extra thought. and so, i thank you sandy, for pointing out the pluses of having an 806. you were definitely the major influence, in my decision of considering, looking at, and wanting, to get an 806!! if not for you, i probably would have stayed with my 608.
and as you suggested, believe it or not but, i have read through some of my old posts here in the group, and sometimes i laugh out loud, at some of the things i've typed. BOY, i sure was clueless about maytag washers, at the very beginning. and you are right, i have definitely learned ALOT from this friendly, knowledgeable, and patient group of collectors & enthusiasts!! thanks to you all, i can now tell the difference between a maytag 308, 408, 608, 806, and of course, a 906, just by looking at the control panel! something i thought i would never accomplish!
you know, i considered myself to be a "HOOVER honey", when i first started out, searching & hunting for my hoover twin tub washer. but, i have to say that i have now been converted & i'm officially a "MAYTAG mama"!!!
LOL.....
thank you again sandy.
Dgoatfarmer:
i did think about the name "rosie" too, because of the jetsons. but you know, i really didn't dig on the jetsons much. it wasn't a cartoon that i watched very often. but it did have a catchy jingle, didn't it??
"meet george jetson"...
hm hm hm.....
;o)
hippiedoll
Well-known member
update....
just wanted to keep you all posted:
i did receive the parts i needed, to fix the leaky drip;
the water injector tube, the injector sleeve & valve, in the mail yesterday. roger is bringing his leveler tomorrow & we are going to check the level of the washer, put the new water injector tube, injector sleeve & valve, on the washer, and also relube the damper pads, since the original damper pads are still in place & still under the damper.
once that is all done, i think this baby will be ready to be brought back to life & used, like it was meant to be.
so, i'm getting pretty excited to get this baby back into service so it can be "churning away" regularly. so far, i've used the washer on 3 occassions:
1st time was towels.
2nd time was a week's worth of laundry
3rd time was my full size bed sheets & pillowcases.
i've got a hamper full of clothes, from this past week, that are just waiting to go swishing, swirling, and swimming around, in the 806!!!
hm hm hm.....
;o)
just wanted to keep you all posted:
i did receive the parts i needed, to fix the leaky drip;
the water injector tube, the injector sleeve & valve, in the mail yesterday. roger is bringing his leveler tomorrow & we are going to check the level of the washer, put the new water injector tube, injector sleeve & valve, on the washer, and also relube the damper pads, since the original damper pads are still in place & still under the damper.
once that is all done, i think this baby will be ready to be brought back to life & used, like it was meant to be.
so, i'm getting pretty excited to get this baby back into service so it can be "churning away" regularly. so far, i've used the washer on 3 occassions:
1st time was towels.
2nd time was a week's worth of laundry
3rd time was my full size bed sheets & pillowcases.
i've got a hamper full of clothes, from this past week, that are just waiting to go swishing, swirling, and swimming around, in the 806!!!
hm hm hm.....
;o)
mr-maytag
Well-known member
I think so, Christina! I haven't found my 806 sent yet, but I haven't lost hope! 
hippiedoll
Well-known member
ATTA BOY!!!
mr-maytag!
we can't lose hope! you have to have hope & patience & you will find your set too.
but in the meantime, enjoy the high from your BRAND NEW/still in the original box, speed queen, twin tub washer!!!
that has got to be tons & fun to play with & watch washing!!!
;o)
mr-maytag!
we can't lose hope! you have to have hope & patience & you will find your set too.
but in the meantime, enjoy the high from your BRAND NEW/still in the original box, speed queen, twin tub washer!!!
that has got to be tons & fun to play with & watch washing!!!
;o)
hippiedoll
Well-known member
update & question....
update:
roger came over yesterday and we got the new water injector parts on the washer, and he also lubed the damper pads & correctly leveled the washer to the floor. so the washer is ready to be put back into "working" mode.
but.....
even though i lubed up the agitator shaft & stop ring with vaseline, the agitator was giving us a heck of a time, not only pulling it off but, also, trying to get it to "pop" back down, onto the agitator shaft. in fact, it got to a point where we weren't hearing/feeling it pop on or off? and it was still hard to push on or pull off the agitator shaft. it seemed there was too much space between the bottom of the tub and the agitator skirt.
now, i kept lubing it up with vaseline and trying to push the agitator down onto the shaft, and after a handful of times of lubing the shaft and wiping the underside of the agitator, i can feel it "popping" back on, when i push the agitator down, but i am having a difficult time pulling the agitator up & off the agitator shaft.
first question:
is it possible to use too much vaseline on the agitator shaft?
i ask because everytime i lube the agitator shaft and push the agitator down onto it, when i pull it off, there is a gob of vaseline on the sides of the agitator shaft hole, of the agitator.
i know that means that there is too much vaseline and it is getting squeezed out. but would that make it hard to push on & pull off, the agitator from the agitator shaft?
i figured the more vaseline, the more lubricated it would be and the easier to slide the agitator on & off. is this where "less is more" would apply?
second question:
why would the agitator be so hard to pull off of & push on to, the agitator shaft, if the agitator shaft has vaseline on it?
(could the stop ring be too old/hard???)
just to give some more detailed insight to what's happening,
the gobs of vaseline i am wiping off, from around the agitator shaft hole in the agitator, is not white or clean-looking vaseline. it looks kinda dirty with some brown (dirt/muddy) color mixed in the vaseline.
any ideas why the agitator is giving me such a hard time???
i look forward to hearing your replies and advice.
thank you
)
update:
roger came over yesterday and we got the new water injector parts on the washer, and he also lubed the damper pads & correctly leveled the washer to the floor. so the washer is ready to be put back into "working" mode.
but.....
even though i lubed up the agitator shaft & stop ring with vaseline, the agitator was giving us a heck of a time, not only pulling it off but, also, trying to get it to "pop" back down, onto the agitator shaft. in fact, it got to a point where we weren't hearing/feeling it pop on or off? and it was still hard to push on or pull off the agitator shaft. it seemed there was too much space between the bottom of the tub and the agitator skirt.
now, i kept lubing it up with vaseline and trying to push the agitator down onto the shaft, and after a handful of times of lubing the shaft and wiping the underside of the agitator, i can feel it "popping" back on, when i push the agitator down, but i am having a difficult time pulling the agitator up & off the agitator shaft.
first question:
is it possible to use too much vaseline on the agitator shaft?
i ask because everytime i lube the agitator shaft and push the agitator down onto it, when i pull it off, there is a gob of vaseline on the sides of the agitator shaft hole, of the agitator.
i know that means that there is too much vaseline and it is getting squeezed out. but would that make it hard to push on & pull off, the agitator from the agitator shaft?
i figured the more vaseline, the more lubricated it would be and the easier to slide the agitator on & off. is this where "less is more" would apply?
second question:
why would the agitator be so hard to pull off of & push on to, the agitator shaft, if the agitator shaft has vaseline on it?
(could the stop ring be too old/hard???)
just to give some more detailed insight to what's happening,
the gobs of vaseline i am wiping off, from around the agitator shaft hole in the agitator, is not white or clean-looking vaseline. it looks kinda dirty with some brown (dirt/muddy) color mixed in the vaseline.
any ideas why the agitator is giving me such a hard time???
i look forward to hearing your replies and advice.
thank you
)
beekeyknee
Well-known member
Might be the stop ring or maybe rust under the stop ring. Did you check under it before you put it back on? Also, did you clean out that splined hole with a tooth brush? I use PB Blaster, but it stinks. WD-40 might work. It's cheaper and doesn't stink but doesn't work on rust as well.
is it possible to use too much vaseline
Could be you over did it with the vaseline and now it's packed into the bottom of the agitator. The rusty color is left over rust, scale, crud, etc, in the agitator. Process of elimination is the way to go now.
Throughly clean out the agitator hole and splines with an old brush and some WD-40 to dissolve the rust, follow with scouring powder and hot water, (i.e. Bon-Ami, Ajax). If a garden hose is handy blast some water in there as well.
Clean the agitator shaft again, apply a very light coat of vaseline and check the fit. If still binding the stop ring may have swelled up and need replacement. Also, double check the agitator doesn't have a set screw on the side.
Could be you over did it with the vaseline and now it's packed into the bottom of the agitator. The rusty color is left over rust, scale, crud, etc, in the agitator. Process of elimination is the way to go now.
Throughly clean out the agitator hole and splines with an old brush and some WD-40 to dissolve the rust, follow with scouring powder and hot water, (i.e. Bon-Ami, Ajax). If a garden hose is handy blast some water in there as well.
Clean the agitator shaft again, apply a very light coat of vaseline and check the fit. If still binding the stop ring may have swelled up and need replacement. Also, double check the agitator doesn't have a set screw on the side.
Too much grease will not allow the parts to fit together. It makes a hydraulic seal and them you have to overcome that suction to remove the agitator.
Grease in a sealed hole can create an airtight seal and exert a LOT of pressure on parts.
PAcking a bushing with grease and smacking the grease-filled hole with a close-fitting punch with a hammer usually drives out the bushing. You are probably getting a somewhat weaker version of that.
I would wipe all the stuff off and just apply a thin coat to both surfaces and try to wiggle it slightly as you push down. That should break any seal trapping air.
Grease in a sealed hole can create an airtight seal and exert a LOT of pressure on parts.
PAcking a bushing with grease and smacking the grease-filled hole with a close-fitting punch with a hammer usually drives out the bushing. You are probably getting a somewhat weaker version of that.
I would wipe all the stuff off and just apply a thin coat to both surfaces and try to wiggle it slightly as you push down. That should break any seal trapping air.
