Gentlemen Start Your Engines!

[delco1946]

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

 

[combo52]

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

 

[delco1946]

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.

 

[repairguy]

Glad they are safely in your possession.

 

[delco1946]

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.

 

[delco1946]

Only the tops are porcelain and the rest is paint which started to come off with acetone so that’s a nope. Open to suggestions for removing the difficult residue.

 

[pulltostart]

Grease

Try ammonia, it's great at cutting grease.  Use with plenty of ventilation.

 

lawrence

 

[114jwh]

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

 

[swestoyz]

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

 

[delco1946]

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.

 

[launderess]

My default position is to always begin with most mild form of cleaning or mark removal and work up. Try something like a bit of some sort of polish, a cloth and some elbow grease.

Things look comparatively clean and tidy interior wise; no mouse nests or major crud, so that's something anyway.

 

[delco1946]

Need advice ….

How does this come off? I’m pulling so hard it is about to break…..

 

[delco1946]

Success! God bless rubbing alcohol on dissolving old glue