Never, never, EVER wait!!

[frigilux]

OK, so last week I was in my local Frigidaire dealer's used appliance room and saw a mid-70's Maytag pair. Appeared to be lower MOL---regular and gentle speed choices, hot-warm-cold temp choices, three water level choices. The tub was dark green, and the agitator black. After thinking it over for a few days, I decided to go in and purchase them today. I've never had a Maytag and thought it would be fun to replace my FrigiLux FL with a vintage pair until I can afford to order the new FrigiLux 3.5 cu.ft. FL machine.

Went in and saw a SOLD sign on the washer. Was told it was sold only 10 minutes earlier!!

Outside, in the junk pile, I saw a Frigidaire 1-18. It appeared to be in good shape--no tub rust, agitator in perfect shape. I went home, thought it over, and called my dealer. Yes, it was still in working condition, except for the timer. I asked if he'd mind if I hauled it away. He said, "Fine with me, but you won't find parts for it." A mere 2 hours later, I was shocked to find the regional appliance recycler had picked it up and hauled it away.

This just wasn't my day, kids!

 

[tolivac]

UH-OH The ones that got away!!It always happens with the ones YOU want unless you go back and get-'em right away.Happens during deer hunting too.

 

[gregm]

sorry

oh, what a drag ........ I am sorry to hear that .......

 

[gansky1]

I've had the same thing happen - it's an instant decision making process, grab and run! I've found it's better to bring it home (especially if it's free from the junk pile) as you can always toss it out later if you decide it's not for you...

 

[kenmore1978]

Regional Recycler

So couldn't the guy give you the name of the regional recycler? It might not have been destroyed yet in that short of a time

 

[westytoploader]

So sad when that happens...hope you have better luck.

--Austin

 

[fixerman]

Frigilux

You want Maytags? I have several in my warehouse. Email me and we can set up a time for you to look at them. I also have two 1-18's and a 66 Frigidaire custom deluxe washer (look at my collection pics). I am in minneapolis. Where in Minnesota are you?

 

[fixerman]

Here are some of them

 

[zipdang]

OMG, those photos are like the Brady Bunch for Maytags. The Maytag Bunch!!

 

[thirtyater]

Ooooh! I'll take that and that and that and that and that and that!

 

[frigilux]

fixerman----I'm in the southwest corner of the state. Thanks for the offer, but I have no vehicle to haul with. Don't think a washer will fit in the back seat of my compact! The reason I check my Frigidaire dealer's used stuff/junk pile is because I live so close that I can literally walk the machine home on a 2-wheel dolly!

A few years back, I wheeled home an UNUSED '59 Lady K and a 1-18 that worked perfectly. I had some storage room at the time, and space for an extra washer in my laundry room. When I moved, I had to get rid of both machines, much to my chagrin, as I had no room for extra machines. (This was several years before I discovered this wonderful site.)

Unlike you fix-it types, I am clueless when it comes to repairs, so that limits what I can take home. Machines that need work are out of the question for me. Suffice to say that when I pick up tools, people run for their lives.

Having said that, it would be cool to check out your shop! Where are you located? I get to Minneapolis on a regular basis.

 

[trok_99]

fixerman

looking for a good working condition a606s/ or a806s w/ perm press. Want suds saver...2 speed deep tub, 1min increment timer.hence the w/ perm press. Do not want 08 series...because only cold rinse on suds saver machines...let me know

 

[fixerman]

Trok 99
I emailed you at the address in your profile but it was returned. Do you have a good email address where I can send the pics?

 

[fixerman]

Trok 99
I emailed you at the address in your profile but it was returned. Do you have a good email address where I can send the pics?

 

[fixerman]

Trok 99
I emailed you at the address in your profile but it was returned. Do you have a good email address where I can send the pics?

 

[goatfarmer]

That's some warehouse.......

 

[kenmore1978]

Visiting

So, rent a pickup when you go to Minneapolis

 

[pulsator]

Painting

My aunt has one of these machines and when it brakes, it comes to me so I can fix it and keep it! How hard is it to paint the cabinets? I want to paint it either coppertone or avacado, but I want it to have that "classic" feel, darker around the edges, lighter in the center. How do I acheive this? Would that be a technique for a professional painter? Would it be easier to get the cabinet off of another one? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

[david]

Re: painting

Really and truly, I would check a reputable auto collision center (body shop). Some won't fool with such, but many painters would be glad to at least steer you in the right diretion. Getting the darker coppertone or avocado bordr around the edge of the machine is dependent on the pressure of the gun and technique as well. In lean times, body shop painters have been known to change the color of stovetops and oven doors to update kitchens. It would be worth your while to make it look authentic. I'm sure someone will disagree with me, but I am in this business and to get a good job, a good heated paint booth is a must. There are plenty of single stage paint formulas, which don't require clearing with urethane and can be made to match your desired color. Finding a good painter who will help you is the trick.

 

[fixerman]

When I was rebuilding machines for sale, when it was still worthwhile, I repainted some coppertone with the darker shadow around the edges. At the time there was epoxy paint of the right colors available from the appliance parts distributors. I think you may have a hard time finding the real appliance colors but you may be able to find epoxy paint in spray cans of stock colors that may be close enough.
I had good results just painting the machine with the base color and letting it dry and spraying the shadow color on top. It would take a steady hand to shadow or it wouldn't look good. You could experiment before acutally painting the machine.
If the top is porcelain then it may be a problem but another member recently said he repainted a portelain top machine after acid etching.

 

[david]

RERE: painting

One more thing. Car paint won't adhere to porcelein, that is a different process altogether.

 

[pulsator]

Okay, so, should I or shouldn't I take it to a auto body shop? Can I take the whole machine to a body shop, or do I need to take the outer case only? ALSO, (last question), how much would it cost to have it painted?

 

[david]

Call and find out what one would charge. If you feel its too much, call another. Just tell them what you want. If you would take the front and side panels and top (if non-porcelain) would be best because they would need to rremove them to paint the curvy parts and edges. Thsi just depends on how far you want to take the project. Yes, you can paint with spray cans, but I don't recommend it. Fixerman was probably pretty good with the can, but many just cant get it looking right. It won't be cheap, auto paint isn't cheap, and many are surprised at the cost. Just remember you get what you pay for. Epoxy tends to crack as well. Stik with urathane

 

[bethann]

Just my 2 cents

Take it to someone that knows what their doing if you want a nice finish! For a gallon of Epoxy paint and the catalyst (40.00). It can be color matched to any color. Cost of getting it painted will be more because of the two tone look you want. Get a good picture of an appliance with the paint job like you want and take it to the painter and let him decide how he wants to do it.

 

[patpackrat]

DIY Painting

I have coppertone Maytags, washer and dryer, and only the dryer has the shading on both the top and front panels. Doing the shading isn't that hard, even for an amateur, but I think the problem would be in getting the right shades of paint -- in cans anyway. I painted my (formerly avacado) GE fridge coppertone. Most brands of spray paint have a 'coppertone' brown which some call "leather", but there was no lighter brown that would have worked, so I did it without the shading. (I think the avocado might be even harder to find). As obsessive as I am to detail, it looks fine.

Spray painting takes a decent amount of skill, some practice, and a lot of patience -- especially if you use the cans. The key to any good paint job is always in the preparation, and for painting metal it's even more critical than for any other surface. The tiniest flaw will show up, not to mention any spec of dust or lint. You have to sand out any rust, 'pock marks', etc., with a fine-grit paper so you don't make a worse mess by making scratches in the surface. The sanding will also etch the surface to help the paint adhere. I have a great airless electric sprayer, but since it's such a drag to clean these up afterwards, I've learned to master the spray can. Getting the knack of spray painting isn't that difficult; the hardest thing for most is finding the right spot to do it -- good lighting, the right temperature & humidity, and no bugs or dust in the air.

I don't mean to sound negative about doing the painting yourself, and I can give you some tips if you'd like -- such as letting that gnat just sit there and die till the paint dries! I just wanted to point out that it's one of those no pain, no gain things. I've grown to love doing it -- so much so that there's a hole in the ozone layer right above my home! My son-in-law is an auto body painter and tells me that the painting is the easier part and that the prep work can be a big variable to the cost. So, if you go that route you might want to tackle that part yourself.

As far as the easiest and least expensive option goes, I think that would be finding another cabinet as you suggested.

PAT

 

[patpackrat]

PS

To clarify, the washer has shading on the front panel only, not the top.

PAT