Maytag Colour Change Questions:

[danemodsandy]

My Maytag pair (an LA108 washer and an LDE608 dryer) are working out very well- thanks to everyone who inspired me to go vintage. They are, however, the dread and dreadful Almond (the Craigslist photo made 'em look White, and the guy delivered, so I didn't see 'em in person until it was too late to reconsider).

At any rate, I'm determined to keep the machines, but a change to White is essential if I am to quell the nausea that arises every time I look at that dirty-looking yellow-beige. Which gives rise to two main questions:

One: What would be a good source for white porcelain tops for these machines, and what would be a fair price for them? Don't want to pay too much out of desperation.

Two: What sort of paint did Maytag use on these babies? For all the wretched appearance of the Almond colour, the enamel paint of the cabinets has held up extremely well, and these machines were not coddled, not by a long shot. I'd like to use the same sort of paint if possible.

Thanks in advance for any answers!

 

[cadman]

LA=Light Almond

If I were you, I'd see if anyone in the club were interested in the almonds, perhaps a trade? That color is much tougher to find than the others for center dial machines and a white 108 and 608 should be quite easy to nab. I'm impressed someone actually paid extra for a "colored" 108!

Cory

 

[whirlcool]

Or you could just remove the lid and the case and take it to an automotive paint shop and tell them you want it enameled white, or any other color of the rainbow for that matter.
I know that several of the members here who restore machines have done this with fantastic results!

 

[danemodsandy]

Really Want to Change These...

Hi:

Great suggestions so far, but...

So far as finding machines that are already white is concerned, this is Atlanta. It's not easy to find vintage here in the first place. Having found these after a couple of years' search, I think I'm more interested in changing their colour than I am in going through the hunt all over again.

And I really need the porcelain tops, due to several factors, not the least of which is a housemate who WILL. NOT. LISTEN. about what Spray 'n Wash does to painted surfaces.

Thanks, though!

 

[gyrafoam]

Fahgetaboutit-----the problem is with the porcelain.

 

[danemodsandy]

Me No Understand...

"Fahgetaboutit-----the problem is with the porcelain."

I don't understand. This looks like a fairly straightforward process to me- if I can find donor machines with white tops, then it seems that all that needs to be done is to switch tops and then paint the rest white. Is there a problem with that that I don't realise?

 

[scott55405]

Cory, if memory serves, Maytag did not charge extra for the colors, so they may have been in the clear in that respect.

Danemodsandy, I remember Maytag made a big deal in their literature about their paint process, and they did indeed have very nice cabinets. I don't remember the details, but maybe it's being suggested that this would be difficult to reproduce on one's own?

 

[goatfarmer]

Sandy, I could come up with a top. Shipping it undamaged might be a problem.

kennyGF

 

[cadman]

Scott, very interesting, I see so many white ones around compared to the colors that I figured Maytag charged extra like the other guys. Cool.

Dane, too bad you're not closer to Newton country, I'd set you up with a white porcelain set!