Maytag Control Panel Restoration

[danemodsandy]

Hello:

One of the jobs that needs doing on my new centre-dial Maytags is some restoration of the control panels. Both machines have damage to the lower portion of the panel, where it is painted gold. The gold is completely gone on about half of each panel, just eaten away entirely. The silver underneath is fine. I think it's probably damage from indiscriminate use of Spray 'n Wash; that stuff eats paint like crazy. The former owner was evidently addicted to Spray 'n Wash and Bounce; I can smell both products (especially Bounce- pee-yew!). Anyhoo...

Can anyone tell me how the centre dial is removed, and the control panel? Removal of the dial is not obvious. My intention is to mask off the panel, and reshoot the lower portion first with gold, then with clear for protection.

Thanks!

 

[panthera]

take the cap off

Sandy,
You are right about the pre-wash treatment. That stuff eats everything.
I don't know your model number (A10X?)but all center dial Maytags I know have a little chrome trim cap over a plastic knob over the ring with the cycles embossed on it. This trim cap can be taken off by prising carefully around the edge with a flat spatula (non-serated sharp knife will do). Under that you will find a nut holding it on. Loosend that and you will see a spline through the timer shaft. This keeps the cycle indicator in "sync" with the timer. Note the position (is either right or way off, so not such a big deal) and then you will see the screws under that. They are not too long.
Oh, the spring and those screws just love to disappear...
Hope that helps. Am working from memory.
I am curious how you will restore the gold. Electroplating?

 

[panthera]

take the cap off

Sandy,
You are right about the pre-wash treatment. That stuff eats everything.
I don't know your model number (A10X?)but all center dial Maytags I know have a little chrome trim cap over a plastic knob over the ring with the cycles embossed on it. This trim cap can be taken off by prising carefully around the edge with a flat spatula (non-serated sharp knife will do). Under that you will find a nut holding it on. Loosend that and you will see a spline through the timer shaft. This keeps the cycle indicator in "sync" with the timer. Note the position (is either right or way off, so not such a big deal) and then you will see the screws under that. They are not too long.
Oh, the spring and those screws just love to disappear...
Hope that helps. Am working from memory.
I am curious how you will restore the gold. Electroplating?

 

[goatfarmer]

Your Maytag won't have a nut holding the dial on, it will be a small clip, under the chrome center cap. When you get the clip off,the plastic knob will come off, there will be a spring under it. Once those are out of the way, remove the dial, it will only fit one way.

Unplug the machine, take off the two screws holding the back cover on, take the cover off, and you will see how thew console is held on, with 4 screws. All the switches, timer, etc, will come off, without removing any wires.

 

[danemodsandy]

Kenny & Keven:

Thanks very much for the instructions- I had a feeling that the centre cap was the key to everything, but I wasn't taking any chances. Already the dials on my machines (LA108 washer and DE606 dryer) are not replaceable- the new parts are plastic, not gold aluminium like the ones I have. So avoiding stoopit damage is kind of important to me.

Keven, it's my intention to respray the gold on the control panels with gold Krylon spray paint, then overspray with clear Krylon for protection. The way the control panels are made is as follows: First the control panel was moulded of plastic. Then it was vacuum-plated chrome. The last colour step was masking and spraying with white paint for the top half, gold for the bottom. The finishing touch was the Maytag logo, which is a sticker.

I'll be sure and post pics. Damn Spray 'n Wash.

 

[panthera]

ken is right

Sorry, I was working from memory. OK, so the c-clip will jump together with the spring and the little screws down between the basket and the outer tub.
))
Sounds good, please do post - maybe with the steps, if you have the time. I've never felt competent to restore looks before.
The new parts are plastic, but I get someone, somewhere still has the originals. When women started losing their expensive machine's looks to pre-treatments, lots of repair shops started stocking up on trim and dials in the areas affected. I'll keep my eyes peeled when I'm back in the US.