Free Maytag DE806 to a good home!

[beekeyknee]

David,

I have the same problem with my 806 dryer control panel. Luckily I have a detached washer control panel just like you show in the post above that the paint is perfect on. I'm going to carry the washer control panel into the automotive paint shop and have them try and color match the paint on the washer panel for painting the dryer. It probably won't be a perfect match and I'll have to do them both.

I'm not really looking forward to this project. I'm sure I'll have every single piece of those machines torn apart and the painting will require intensive masking and prep work.

B.[this post was last edited: 3/30/2014-19:13]

 

[d-jones]

Brian

When I was fixing up the HA806 for my folks I took the top panel in to the Sherwin Williams Automotive Paint Store to have the paint matched. They did such a good job that the new paint actually matched the top panel better than the original paint did, so I'm hoping they'll be able to work the same magic for me again with this blue grey control panel paint. But this will be a bit more tricky. Since the paint is translucent, if it's applied too thick the color will appear darker than it should. If applied too thin the color will appear lighter than it should, so there are more opportunities to screw things up even if the paint is matched perfectly. I'm really anxious to see how this turns out.

 

[beekeyknee]

Yes, I know what you mean. I've been studying the paint closely and it's a strange color and finish. Somewhere around flat and eggshell with a bit of a metallic look to it. Kind of blue/greyish.

 

[d-jones]

Exactly!

And as I mentioned above, I think that metallic sheen is due to the chrome plating being visible through the translucent paint. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it can be accurately copied, but I'm sure not going to hold my breath. But as you mentioned, if I can get close then the obvious way to get them to match would be to do them both.

 

[beekeyknee]

David,

If you're interested you could try some Retrobright on your old yellow buttons. I have some on a machine I have. I think I'll try the Retrobright, get a fine tipped artist brush, some burnt umbra (or the closest color I can find), one of those desk top magnifiers with the swing arm and florescent light in it and try and restore some of those old worn out buttons. It will take a steady hand and lots of patience, but I want to try sometime.

B.

http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/

 

[combo52]

Repainting 06 and even earlier MT W&D Control Panels

These are fairly easy to do with even off the shelf spray paints as long as you paint both the washer and dryer in pairs. I repainted the silver on my CDE750 dryer and on my CA900 washer and it looks great and I have also repainted the later blue and later gold lower panels on 06 MTs with no problem, I wish it was as easy to repaint the colored cabinets.

The chrome does not show through the blue paint on TOL models, if you look at MTs cheaper models with the lower panels that were painted blue the color looks exactly the same, the metallic silver, blue and gold MT used was very opaque.

 

[d-jones]

John

After reading your post I went over to my folks place where that control panel with the flaking paint is and I managed to lift a small section of paint off. I'll be darned if it isn't opaque just as you said. That will certainly make things easier. Thanks for butting in.

 

[beekeyknee]

Thanks for the painting tips, John. Do you remember what off the shelf brand of Maytag blue you used?