Progress report on the 57 GE washer

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Paint

Lawrence, I don't have a paint booth - it's all done in the garage (with the garage door nearest the machine closed...damn mosquitoes...)

Louis, I am using  Rustoleum appliance epoxy applied with a foam roller.  It works so much better for me 'cause my hands shake so got-danged much that I can't do a decent spray-paint job...

 
 
Paul

What results do you get with regard to smoothness? I used the same Rustoleum epoxy applied with a foam roller last year on a refrigerator. I wasn't very satisfied with the results. And I even thinned it hoping it would flow out better. It was quite warm when I did it so that probably contributed to it drying faster. I called Rustoleum to ask if it could be sanded and was told yes.

I had originally decided to paint it with spray cans and did both doors that way. But the cans started spitting so I switched to the roller. Funny thing the spots created by the spitting flowed out enough they aren't that noticeable unless you look closely. The doors came out much smoother than the cabinet. With the doors being the part most seen I decided not to bother with the work of sanding and buffing the cabinet.
 
Ken - I think temperature definitely has an impact on the application of the Rust-Oleum paint.   It was in the low-60s last weekend and it seemed to work well for me.  Something I noticed on the application instructions was that 'recoat is possible in 1 hour'; I've tried doing that on three recent projects (the '47 Bendix, the '47 Launderall, and this '57 GE) and it seems to work well.  On the GE, I was extra paranoid and gave a light recoat after 24 hours as well. 

 

For sanding, I've tried to sand rough spots and I found it didn't work that well.  Perhaps because I had applied a thicker coat of paint I found that the surface 'tore' rather than 'sanded'.  

 

 
 
Thanks for the reply

How many coats did you apply total? I believe I applied at least three and I think a fourth. How long did you allow the paint to cure before sanding? I think the tearing you experienced may have been to not letting the paint cure long enough before sanding. What grit paper did you use?
 
Ken - I did three coats and I let it dry for about 24 hours.  But I think you are right - it was likely not 'set' enough when I tried sanding.  I used a very fine grit paper (can't recall the grade) but it still tore the paint.  Curiously enough, I was able to successfully touch it up with a Q-Tip! 
 
The big re-assembly

This weekend's goal was to get the 57 GE back together again and test it. Well, that was the goal at least.

The paint was dry and looking good. 

With hubby's help, I got the tub back in with no damage to the suds or filter flo flumes. 

I was lucky enough to have a good tub gasket from the doomed '60 GE and a new fill flume!

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With the agitator back in and control panel put back together, it was starting to look like a washer again.

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I reconnected the colourful maze of wires and figured it was time for a dry test.

 

And that's where the wheels fell off....

 

I started the machine, heard the fill solenoids buzzing happily then I hit the water saver button.    POW went the breaker...

 

Knowing my weaknesses with wiring I assumed I made a bad connection somewhere. Nope.

Recalling the silly mistakes I had made with the timer boxes of the 66 Inglis and 65 Lady K which caused an accidental short, I pulled the timer and switch bank from the control panel. There was nothing glaringly obvious there.

At this point I can only think that my motor repair has gone south.  Why the machine worked fine a couple of weeks ago is beyond me. Perhaps I shifted or dislodged something in the motor or one of the motor connections somewhere but I have shifted or moved the washer that much....

The thought of getting that friggin' motor out again is not a happy one.  Sigh....

turquoisedude-2018060317074800268_1.jpg
 
Congrats on a job well done so far Paul. That is super frustrating about the electrical issue. Just thinking out loud - didn't you indicate earlier that you were going to remove the suds setup? If so did you check the associated wiring? You also said you made some adjustments to the water saver switch - any possibilities there?

Hope it works out to be something easy and can't wait to see the finished product!
 
James, I had the very same thought about the water saver switch!  My "logic" had me checking whatever I had messed with recently and that switch was number one on the list.  It tested OK, though...    I did also notice that the 'pull on' 'push off' switch in the timer is no longer working so I am worried I knocked or disturbed something in the timer.  The panel fluorescent light didn't want to work on the first test either, but that was because I hadn't seated the bulb in the socket firmly.  

 

I'll not be playing with the GE again until the weekend, but I have a test plan.  Among the tests will be to hook up another GE washer motor outside of the machine and see if it works when connected to the 57's wiring.   I also have this hare-brained idea that one of the connectors underneath the motor may have slipped.  Well, I will find out on Saturday with any luck.  I'll warn Hydro this week.... LOL 
 
Paul,

The washer is looking great!  It's so nice to see it with fresh paint and with (clean) trim attached.  Take comfort in how much progress you've made so far and take it one step at a time.  It will all work out.

 

lawrence
 
Thanks Lawrence.... I'm trying not to get too upset about it but considering my track record with GE washers.... GGGGRRRRR!

 

James, forgot to mention that I removed the entire suds saver assembly and all wiring from that patchboard.  I had a sudden flash (pun intended) that perhaps, just perhaps the breaker went pow because of the speed solenoid on the clutch (the wash and spin speed selectors were both in the slow setting) but that wasn't it either.  Trying not to obsess about this.  Grumble....
 
Magnificent. Don't you just love GE coral pink?

Interesting that the inlet flumes for your P and my P both seem to have been outfitted with the Rinse Dispenser diverter spout on the top of it even though that dispenser wasn't introduced until 1958. Or is that a replacement? Mine looked like it was original, not shiny like yours.

 

Please clean that Filter-Flo Flume and the undersides of the lid with a detailing brush and an acid before I have to look at it again; it's like nails on a chalk board.

(1. Ducking, 2. Running).
 
I am preparing for a further attempt on the washer this weekend and thought it might be prudent to make a flowchart.

Hmmmm.... maybe THIS is why my track record with GE's is so poor...
smiley-tongue-out.gif


turquoisedude-2018060711200305696_1.jpg
 
Oh, Hubby's got the number on speed-dial and has an itchy finger.... LOL

 

Seriously,  although I'm concerned about the original motor, I do nonetheless have a plan B and C.  Plan C will require a schematic wiring diagram from a later 2-Speed Filter-Flo machine though...  
 

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