Painting old GE washer

[chuka79]

Hi all, I'm new here. I just purchased an old GE washer with the filter-flo system. As of now everything is working just fine but it has some rust stains on the front and sides and I was wondering if I could get some restoration advice from you guys. I don't know the year or model but I have found some pictures posted here of washers that look like mine. I'll copy the picture from another user (thanks and...sorry), so maybe some of you can also provide me with this information, if possible.

Mine is just like this one except it doesn;t have those buttons at the left side of the panel. Thanks!

 

[chuka79]

One more thing, how can I paint the top too? It's not damaged but if I wanted to change the color, what type of paint would I use?

 

[chuka79]

What about the trim on the panel? It's stained too.

 

[yogitunes]

That pic is of one of my newest aquisitions.....no biggie, but that model you have is roughly from around 1983/6.....since your missing the speed control buttons from the far left, either you have a single speed, or the speed is controlled by the timer...RegularCycle is normal wash and spin, PermPress is gentle wash and spin.....

for the most part of painting the body is to use either enamel paint or there are paints specially for appliances....usually found at Lowes....

the porcelain top is another story......to change color or repair can be done, but the cost can be expensive...

as far as the trim, it depends which parts, the chrome, or the black background, and then theres the lettering.......you may have better luck to keep an eye out for a similar model in better condition, and swap parts....

good luck, and let us know how you make out...

these are great machines, I have 6, again!...lol....and even though some refer to them as water hogs, they wash and filter really well, and the rinsing is always clear......

have you by-passed the lid switch, cut the fill flume for a better spray rinse, removed the restrictor for full water flow, added a tub light!......yeah, we can get you there if not!.....

Happy Washing!....you can never have too many!

http://www.appliance411.ca/service/date-code.php

 

[autowasherfreak]

Beautiful GE's you have Martin.

 

[yogitunes]

Thanks.....thats just my collection permanently hooked up.....I have 3 more washers and a dryer just added.....its FilterFlo month again...haha...

one set is going to my MIL's new laundry room I am re-doing, and may keep one or two for spare parts....

they are comming out of the woodwork......these work great as sudsavers as well, drain one into the next, and into the next.....water savings and loads getting done fast.....

 

[chuka79]

hey yogitunes, thanks for the info.
it never occured to me there would be a community dedicated to old appliances. i wasn't interested myself until this one came to my home last weekend. i was horrified first time i saw it but then i took a good look at it and saw the charm in it. not only that, but we had a similar model at my house when i was a little girl! (except i'm almost sure that one had the speed buttons) i love it! even showed it off to my friends, as rusty as it is, and surprisingly they liked it too. i was looking around the forum and those machines look amazing! all the pretty colors and old fashioned dials, and those machines still work to this day. yours are in excellent condition.
anyways, back to the washer. it's the chrome what needs a cleaning. i suppose i could clean it with some... ketchup? unless you can recommend a better method. wouldn't i have to sand the rust off before painting? what type sander would you recommend? what primer? and would it look shiny after painting it or matte? also, there's a cardboard cover on the back that's kind of making me uneasy. i'm worried water might get behind there. can i replace that? for how much longer can this washer last?
i'm sure i'll come up with more questions later. i really appreciate the help.

 

[yogitunes]

first, sanding with different grains of sandpaper according to how bad the rust is, working your way to finer grains, simple Rustoleum primer will work, I would go with a flat finish for the first few coats, and then the final being a high gloss.......

the chrome can be repainted with chrome paint as well....just prep first for a mirror finish....

the cardboard on the back can withstand getting wet once in a while, if oversaturated or warped, you can always cut a new one out of fiberboard, using the old as a template....

many of our members have outstanding machines, that have been stripped down to their shell, repainted and rebuilt from the ground up...and work and look as if straight from the showroom......if you have not, check out the "collections" from the home page.....I need to update mine...

does your machine have the mini-basket option?......

 

[jetcone]

Ooo Martin

nice GE line up there!

jet

 

[firedome]

removing rust

stains can be done with a product called "Ecotec" by Singerman Laboratories, it's bio-degradable etc, you can Google it. Or try oxalic acid, Zud has it in it, but Zud is also an abrasive. Or sand and prime if you're going to repaint the cabinet with enamel. A great chrome polish is Simichrome or Mother's polish, can be had at auto stores.