Has anyone seen one of these recently???

[kenmoreguy64]

This is a picture of a "washed out" control panel from a 1972 Kenmore mid-line 60-series washer. I am looking for a better panel, OR better yet, and nice whole machine.

I am a avid Kenmore enthusiast, from the first belt-drive to the last, and this particular model has a lot of significance to me.

In my case, my mother had a matching dryer for years and I always wished in some ways that we had the washer to go with it. Later, when I started my repair and rebuilding hobby, this was the very first machine I got. It is avocado. I bought it for $5 from a used appliance store. It had sat outside for years, was full of water, and otherwise in pretty nasty shape. As you can see, the panel is barely restorable, and only with a lot of work.

I bought it and another $5 washer to tinker with, learn from, and fix and/or further break so that I could gain mechanical knowledge of these machines without touching my like-new 1986 belt drive machine that I was afraid to put finger prints on let alone dismantle.

I passed up a beautiful tawny gold version of this machine before I had storage room years ago, and I haven't really seen any since. I have used my avocado machine for exactly what I intended when I bought it, and I also scavenged a few parts from it, including the transmission. It served its purpose well, but now I think it would be a fun weekend project to reassemble the machine to its original glory. I have all of what I need except this panel.

If anyone knows where a better machine is, comes across one, or has a good panel, etc. I would be be grateful to hear from you.

In the interim I'm going to see what I can do to spruce up this one, but the rest of the machine will be a lot nicer and deserves a good panel.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions folks!

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Here's another shot...

As you can see - there's a lot of work here. I'm fussy, but I could probably invest as much time in fixing up this panel as I would in getting the whole machine running properly, and even then the panel won't be perfect. The "barnacle-like" pits on the machine are from it sitting outside in the southern weather for years.

 

[pdub]

Gordon,

I will definitely keep my eye open for a machine like this and would be happy to send you the control panel if I find it.

Patrick

 

[rp2813]

My mom's mid 70's Kenmore had a similar issue. It was due to Spray-n-Wash overspray hitting the panel. Makes one wonder just what the active ingredient in that stuff is or was at the time, as well as wonder why Sears/Whirlpool would use a finish on the panel that was so easily damaged.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Agreed

I guess the chemicals in spot removers are pretty caustic in undiluted form. I have seen those pits you're talking about on the black-panel machines and wondered what they were from. One day I'd come across an awful looking black panel machine, then the next day I'd find a similar or even older version in pristine shape. I am now very careful when spraying that stuff, and usually do it far from my washer and dryer.

I have a washer that I used for 11 years that was all pitted and messed-up as you describe, and finally it dawned on me to try a black sharpie on the spots. Though not perfect, and not something I would offer anyone else, the transformation is amazing. I'm going to do it again shortly on another machine - I'll take some before and after pictures.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

THANKS Patrick

I much apprech. Patrick. Is you Turquoise beauty up and running?

 

[pdub]

Yes, the LK machine is running very well. I just haven't had the chance to take pictures and do a follow up. I will do so soon and send you an email.

Patrick

 

[christfr]

um yea we want pics and i want to know when your gonna come down and help me with this kelvy

 

[danemodsandy]

Control Panel Overlays

This is only a memory of something I've seen in the past, but maybe it'll help you:

Years ago, while buying parts for my then-current washer, I saw what I believe were called "control panel overlays" in my local Fox Appliance store. They were plastic, self-adhesive panels that replicated the silk-screened graphics on the control panels of major washer and dryer brands. The idea was, if Spray 'n Wash had damaged your console graphics, you could buy the appropriate overlay for your make and model of appliance, remove the knobs on the console, and stick the overlay into place, restoring the console's appearance. Then the knobs went back on, and voila!- a like-new console at little cost.

All of this would have been in the '90s, and I don't know if these overlays are still available, but I do know they had some popularity; the Spray 'n Wash problem was pretty widespread at the time. Seems to me it might be worth doing some checking into. Kennies were so popular and widespread that it's just possible that someone has NOS overlays for this model. If I recall correctly, these overlays omitted the manufacturers' logos from their designs (probably for copyright/liability reasons), but were otherwise close copies of the original graphics for each make and model.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

GREAT idea Sandy, thanks!

I remember those overlays. You're right - when I saw them it was the early to mid 90s. I bought I'd guess three or four maybe for the Kenmores I was rehabing at the time. The only ones I ever saw were for the black-panel, ten-billion copies of those, machines, but there sure may have been others. Part of the viability of those overlays came from Kenmore's lengthy use of that panel design and model longevity, which meant many many machines were out in circulation, but the overlays were not available for every model.

The Kenmore name was left off them, and I think you're right as to why. Those that had the name on the lower left corner of the panel front suddenly became generic. Those that had the name in the woodgrain on the top were ok.

With that overlay and some 3M woodgrain contact paper to re-cover the panel top, I could make a fully deteriorated panel look brand new. The overlays lined up pretty well - the most inaccurate one I had was only off about 1 or 2 millimeters. The hardest part was getting them on right - they were so sticky that the first shot was the right one or you were toasted.

I called my appliance parts guy - he's been there since the 70s. He doesn't remember overlays for machines like mine that I'm looking for now, but great idea!

 

[neptunebob]

Maybe you could mask off the parts that are the dial and sand down the rough spots and then spray paint the solid areas of the panel white since the dial part doesn't look very damaged. I might use a Dremel tool on the pits, with a fine sandpaper cylinder. Brillo pads also shine up the chrome.

 

[tbolt25]

an aunt of mine had a washer-control panel like this once

An aunt of mine in the early 1980's had an early 1970's BD Kenmore washer with a control panel just like this one-it worked fine for a few months-a story of it is in my profile.

 

[Timonator]

Thats a Challenge

I Dont know but that looks beyond repair to me..Although a friend once told me you can fix anything if you really want too! As far as overlays I have one for the Later Kenmore with the Black control panel I used them on a couple of machines I had they worked good but Ive never seen any for what you have there. Control panel restoration is Tedious work to say the least I have about six hours in my Ge Dryer I'll share the pics this is the "Before" shot

 

[Timonator]

After!

Still needs some Detailing

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Timonator...

I agree about the tedious work...I am very fussy with how things look and how my work turns out, but if I wind up using that panel, I'm going to have to give myself room there. I was thinking exactly what someone else suggested in taking a dremel tool and sanding/buffing the warts off the top and bottom. I am thinking I can find paint to apply with a Q-tip to paint the peeled areas, but how well this matches will determine how the panel looks overall. I will never undo the "warts" entirely though.

Time will tell. I'm going to work on this panel, and if I find a better one later, I'll either have two, or I'll do a swap then.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

tbolt25 - Philip:

I enjoyed reading your comments about your aunt's '72 Kenmore. You're exactly right - sometimes when a machine gets bearing wear, it will be very loud until they warm up and the parts expand, which lessens the vibrations.

This can be tempered by reducing belt tension, and by installing a motor isolating quiet-pack kit on the motor mounts, but the best way is to install new bearings. I saw many a machine get scrapped because it was so noisy.