Polishing aluminum agitator - Maytag model 30

[bradross]

Hello again, everyone,

I think it's amazing how well even a very old aluminum agitator will polish up with that wonderful product, "Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish". Just look at the gleam to the agitator (gyratator) shaft of my 1935 Maytag 30 wringer washer! Like a mirror! I don't bother with the base, as it's not as smooth to begin with.

When I use this machine, I try to always use a non-oxidizing detergent. I have yet to try original formula TIDE (like Geoff Delp swears by), but ALL "free/clear" seems to work well without darkening the aluminum tub. Does anybody use something different?

 

[gansky1]

That's amazing, good job!  

I haven't used my wringer in nearly three years, I think, but Geoff is right about the Tide.  It leaves the aluminum gleaming.

 

 

[stan]

Hi Brad

My Maytag E darkens and dulls with almost everything. Even sitting and not being used, slowly looses it gleam.
Once in a while I have to do what you did, or if it's really bad I'll use warm soapy water, and super fine sandpaper (wet) and or extra fine steel wool (wet) then polish.
Fine cut cleaner works well to.

 

[e2l-arry]

Isn't that Mother's Mag polish great?

I've recommended it to lots of folks any it never disappoints.

That agitator looks GREAT Brad!

Since I use my E2LP as a daily driver, the tub has sadly, discolored. It doesn't affect washing performance and when I wash, if I need bleach or strong detergents, I use them. Knowing with a little elbow grease and Mother's, I can get that shine back. I was using Regular Tide on Geoff's recommendation. but it's getting hard to find. Seems almost everything out now is labeled H.E. So I bought a big box or regular Gain at Costco. It seems to work well. Is Geoff still out there? I haven't seen a posting from him in a year. Hope everything's Okay with him. He was an enormous help when I was restoring my Maytag.

 

[geoffdelp]

Hi all ...

I'm still out here lurking around!! All is well on this end; albeit busy with my job, family life ... never a dull moment.

Brad ... that agitator is stunning! The post on that is BEAUTIFUL! Did you sand and then use Mother's? The crown also looks fantastic.

Tide is still my choice; it makes the aluminum tubs sparkle with continued use and no chlorine products. The oxygen based Tide that I get at Sam's Club (Professional, I believe) works equally as well, but don't soak in the aluminum tub; just keep washing. Soaking makes those dark rings at the top of the tub that you see in so many machines.

Hopefully, IF WE EVER GET SPRING IN MINNESOTA (I swear ... it's GOT to be around the corner, right?), I have a couple of great Maytag projects in my garage that I would like to share with everyone this summer. One is rare; the other not so rare but unique. Haven't touched anything for over a year; time to get a couple of things done.

 

[bradross]

Geoff's question - re. sanding and polishing

Hi Geoff!

When I did the initial restoration on the tub, I did use very fine sandpaper inside AND on the crown. Of course, I tried to make sure I was always going in the same direction so as not to show buffing/sanding marks or swirls. That was followed by scrubbing with SOS pads and finally, polishing with the Mother's polish. I never did use Mother's on the inside of the tub, as it's so awkward to work in. That shine is the result of periodic sanding and scrubbing with SOS. As you can see, there are some permanent corrosion pits in both the tub and base of the agitator - some of the larger ones I filled with JB Weld Steelstik.

Either there was some awfully corrosive water left standing in the tub, or perhaps the aluminum had some flaws or impurities during the casting. Even on the crown, there are some corrosion marks I can't remove, but they're not too deep, so I don't worry about it. One day, I would still like to find one in better condition than mine, to add to the collection.

 

[christfr]

awesome job brad.. you can now come to st Louis and do mine

 

[geoffdelp]

Brad ... those tubs really are awkward to work in, aren't they? In my Model A, I tried using an electric drill with a wire brush attachment with some success ... BUT ... it was so hard to hold the drill at the right angle and the brush would just bounce. Also, I tried jeweler's rouge on the crown and it works, but is also difficult; Mother's is better. Maytag made a polishing tool that was an orbital-type sander on a long extension for freedom of use within the tub. It hasn't been made for a long, long time and I haven't seen one for sale. Maytag pushed full refurbishing of those machines and encouraged dealers to sell a refurbished/repainted Model A, 30, 32, etc. for around $129.95; I think the Model N was $139.95. Isn't that something? They placed high values on refurbished equipment and probably sold the heck out of them.

You did a superb job with that Model 30!! Is that a pump model? I see the strainer under the agitator for the pump. WOW. I saw one of those pumps on eBay a few weeks and was tempted but didn't do it. To try to find parts for anything that might have cracked would be impossible; you'd have to have them cast.

Great job; lots of fun!!

 

[bradross]

Geoff ... wow, a polishing tool specifically made for doing the tub! That is something I'd like to see! I know from reading vintage '40s Maytag advertisements that during WWII, they encouraged people to buy refurbished models. That is what you're referring to, I assume.

Mine is not a pump model, but it did have the strainer (for which I'm glad). I, too, saw that pump for sale on eBay. Would have been tempted, but as you say, the connection was cracked. I e-mailed the seller to ask why he was parting out the machine, as it looked to be in very good shape. He responded by saying they are still very plentiful, and he thought he could get good money parting it out. Hmmm...I think it's a shame really to do that to a perfectly good, vintage machine.

For those that didn't see the ebay offering, here's a pic...

 

[sarahperdue]

Lovely

I love the soft beauty of well polished aluminum--it seems to have more depth than silver.

Beautifully done.

Sarah

 

[bradross]

Video posted on YouTube

Thanks to everybody for their comments on this thread. I decided to make a short video - a "dry operation" of the machine, showing the agitator action. Hope you enjoy it!

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqVOu3rxLFg&feature=youtu.be

 

[washman]

Now I remember you

You posted a vid of a Speed Queen supertwin in action and I commented on the fantastic rollover, thanks to the famous Acr-cuate transmission.

 

[geoffdelp]

Super, Brad! That machine runs nice and smooth. I'll have to dig through some of my "stuff" and see if I can't find a picture of the polishing tool to scan in.

Can you imagine what Mrs. Homemaker thought when she got one of those new machines in the late 1920's or early 1930's? Maytag sure sold the heck out of them. They were powerful, cleaned clothes well without damaging them, and most definitely, had a lasting quality. I believe I am the 3rd owner of my 1930 Model A. It was first purchased locally and then traded in and another couple bought it and had it in their lake home for years until they retired and then I bought it. All from the same dealership.

I'll also have to see if I can find some data on when they were still pushing the full restoration of those machines. Believe it or not, I think it was still in the 1950's; 20 to 25 years later!

That pump was simple and was the precursor to the ones that appeared in the "modern" wringer (E, J, N). A lever pulls the pump to the motor and starts the impellers to push the water out. All basically the same concept.

Too much fun!!

 

[e2l-arry]

It's interesting when you think about it . . .

That MANY of the washers predate our lives. And with just a little care and maintenance, have to potential to function long after we're gone! I can't say that about ANYTHING made new today!

 

[geoffdelp]

Ain't that the truth, Larry!! American made (right down to the nuts and bolts) and assembled with pride!!

 

[sarahperdue]

Cost: labor vs materials

I wonder if the continuing rise in fuel prices will drive a shift back towards domestic manufacturing and possible even making things built to last. One can hope.

S