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Sorry for the slow reply, I’m still absorbing while tryin to pack for a vacation, prep space for them, etc. I got them. I am very much questioning my sanity. Very much. I’ve found auctions to be quite bad for antiquing, items go for more than they would otherwise. Lots of junk fees etc plus I also got ham strung by a carrier from uship who upped his pricing several hundred dollars after knowing I’m sol if I didn’t pay. sigh. Could even tell him off for fear he’d just walk away….and then what? Lots to process but trying to focus on the upsides. I don’t have the space that others do so I went all in on one very special set. I really wanted 50s or early 60s and loveeeee the air freshener component, color, styling etc. I have lots of projects generally so these may sit for a while, but like everything else I collect I aim to restore them and them keep them safely for the next person.

I also need to figure out how to rig some sort of suds saver add on to reduce water use. That will take some creativity. I even have a beautiful 1913 laundry sink on the yard (another project) that probably will be upgraded to inside as now only the best will do for my basement laundry area. Ha

Very new to appliance repair but I’m at least determined lol. The auctioneer said they’re in very nice condition so fingers crossed. Also, somewhat rubbing salt in my own wounds there is a white version of the dryer available for just 200 in Texas. But shipping wouldn’t have been terribly different and odds of winding a matching washer seemed low, but for someone with the space it looks to be in even better condition.

And I can gladly take pictures etc and share when they arrive. I’ll definitely need help learning to work on them to keep them running, no doubt.
 
Congratulations! That is a very nice set. Thanks for sharing that you were the winner and share all that you want about that set including many pictures. We’ll do all we can to help you along the way with these.
 
1957 GE washer and dryer

Congratulations Christopher. I’m glad you got these. They are very unusual probably the only set in color still in existence. In this kind of condition out there.

The factory suds saver system on this machine was very complicated but it’s not terribly difficult to rig up a suds saving system and have a little electric return pump. I did it when I was younger on automatic washers that did not have a suds saver and we used the systems for many years.

It’s always difficult with these auctions. I’m sorry I did not know that someone from AW was bidding on them as I am the one that added the last $500 to them bringing my maximum bed up to 2520.

This is always been an interesting dilemma. Sometimes we knew who is bidding against each other and I would’ve backed off. Of course it’s not fair to the seller. And I did not announce that I was bidding either.

I am very familiar with the dryer and can help with any problems you have with that less familiar with the washer Ben in Iowa restored the 58 GE washer and dryer that I sold to him and he certainly can help with the washer.

Best of luck with them keep us informed and how they work out.

John
 
Thanks all for the kind words of support! I will undoubtedly need the support both technically and emotionally lol.

To add to the trauma, the shipper arrived early and I woke up to my card kept getting declined as a fraud alert which took 45 minutes back and forth to finally get the bank to let’s the charges hit 🙄. There have been several moments where I thought dear god this the the epitome of a stranded investment, if either the shipping or the purchase go sideways.

Also, if anyone is interested, I added the link for the dryer in Texas ( maybe for Repairguy? 😉). The guy seems like he deals in used washers and dryers informally based on his limited FB profile. He was communicative at first but stopped bothering after I started asking to many questions.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1430932167689923/
 
Faith in humanity restored!

Well far as AW.org goes anyway. *LOL*

Congrats on nabbing this wonderful and rare set.

Like how you operate: quietly, effectively and efficiently.

Am gobsmacked you found a shipper going from PA that far out NW. Yes, sometimes Ushippers can try one's patience, but as you yourself said at some point they've got you so that's that.

[this post was last edited: 8/16/2023-23:10]
 
The set should arrive tomorrow. Fingers crossed it made the journey (pickup truck). I’m a bit nervous as it’s been raining in idaho and the shipper said he had to replace tarps a couple times as they’re ripping on the sets corners. Too scared to ask for more detail; I would assume temporary water intrusion is not likely to be a serious problem as long as they can dry back out….. but hopefully they’re just fine.

I downloaded the manuals for the washer, but there aren’t any docs specific to 1957 dryers. Is the 59 GE dryer service Manual “close enough” or are they drastically different critters? Thanks
 
The arrival of 57 sunny yellow, GE’s

They should be just fine even if they got wet, that shouldn’t hurt them at all.

The 59 dryer is very close to the 57. There may be some slight changes but I don’t think they’re too significant.

Your dryer was all new for 57 and was a very good performing dryer. It was probably one of the fastest and best performing dryers in 57, the Whirlpool hi Speed, hi BTU gas dryers and 8000 W plus electric dryers would have been faster but the GE was very efficient and fast.

John
 
They’re in the basement! Just flew in from out of town (flight delayed so the shippers were waiting at 8pm PT for me) and now packing for camping. I’ll try and take some pictures (possibly next week) once I have more time.

The washer is missing the back, but I don’t really see any rust which is a great sign. The washer tub is small but the enameling looks pretty good. The yellow porcelain has some scuffing so I might treat it like a car and compound it and polish it and then just do some minor paint touch ups. Otherwise, everything looks intact, and everything (knobs, tub etc) moves, not including the air freshener “lever” or button. I would have assumed it slid left to right but it would budge and I didn’t want to force it and possibly break it.
 
Pictures….

Not exactly sure what folks want to see but took a bunch of pics before cleaning. The machines don’t seem to have any rust except a couple spots on the bottoms and I’m hoping the dryer will be operational with just a light cleaning.

I might try and clean them with acetone first as I think that’s the least harmful that still is really effective. Let me know if there are certain cleaners I shouldn’t use ( assuming no abrasives). Lots of what looks like grease/ black petroleum/ rubber based stains. Some slight warping from dolly trucks ( I assume) and the lower metal panel on the washer has some odd edge deformations. All in all they’re pretty nice though.

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Sometimes a strong solution of plain old dish soap in very hot water can surprise you, especially with a good microfiber cloth.

Simple Green is pretty good at removing grease too. Agree on the ammonia solution too.

If its really stubborn, a bit of mineral spirits, turpentine or varsol etc on a paper towel can soften grease enough to remove and usually won't cause any paint loss but same thing, use in a well ventilated area and test in an inconspicuous place first to be sure.

For sticky tar like stuff, some kind of alcohol like rubbing or isopropyl has worked for me in the past but again, same thing, try in test area first to make sure it doesn't react with the paint.

BTW congratulations on such a rare and beautiful find, especially a matched set!

Good luck
 
For both porcelain and painted finishes, I agree with James. Start with some Simple Green. If the grease/rubber marks are still stubborn I then break out the Turtle Wax Chrome Polish. The super fine grit will help lift of just about any stain or grime on either surface type, and in fact is my go to when restoring the original single stage paint on most appliance products as the first step in bring back the original luster of the finish.

Ben
 
Thanks all for the suggestions. I went to basics first and am treating these like my car - automotive soap and elbow grease. Was a nice first cut. Anything left seems deeper more stubborn. I’ll try some of your tricks and I may use my orbital paint polisher (for cars) and see how that works. The acetone removed/cleaned just enough of the 66 year old paint to suggest that it’s oxidized (makes sense to me as car paint also does that) and I’m thinking a light polishing compound might really bring this paint back to life.

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