Replacement control Panel Wards (Frigidaire) washer?

[kb0nes]

I have a buddy of mine that has an older Wards (guess that is redundant now) washer. I just helped him a bit with a fill valve replacement and now the machine is working well again.

The control panel labels have gotten badly destroyed over the years and he was questioning if there is any possibility of a replacement. He has seen decals/stickers for restoring stoves etc. available online. I doubt anyone ever made such a thing for a washer, especially a fairly obscure one like this. The other possibility would be a control panel swap, but what is the likely hood of one of those still existing?

The Wards model is 6307B

Any hints?

 

[ken]

Remember some threads here in the past where replacement decals for Kenmore W/D were discussed and shown. It was mentioned at the time even those were no longer being produced. Don't recall any other brands being mentioned.

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

If you know anyone how is good at, or has access to a graphic design program, perhaps you could sweet talk them into working on / designing a replacement.  Then the trick would be finding a printer that can print on an adhesive vinyl decal.

 

[ken]

@Kevin

I had kind of the same thought as I remembered Louie (think it was him) not too long ago found a company that will reproduce old stickers. But unfortunately the item being reproduced has to be in good condition as you provide them with a photo of the original to produce the new from. [this post was last edited: 6/22/2017-13:20]

 

[laundromat]

I bought my new lettering decals at a local art supply store. Just took the dial and matched it up. Cost was aroundv $8.

 

[DADoES]

 
Someone with Photoshop skills likely can work-up a reasonable duplication of the graphics layout based on what's left of the original.

 

[kb0nes]

Actually designing and printing the label really isn't a problem. I have a buddy that even does artistic screen printing as a hobby. Would be neat to just make a brushed stainless steel panel then screen print the graphics on it

I have since emailed with the owner of the machine in question and he is actually more curious if anyone has any photos or literature that would show the control panel of this machine intact. This of course would help the idea of duplicating the panel by whatever means.

 

[maytagbear]

Petroleum based pre-spotting sprays

Are pure evil. This is a case in a very sharp point.

Sincere good luck in figuring this out!

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[goatfarmer]

That's a WCI machine, maybe a WCI repair manual, or advertisement.

 

[akronman]

hi

We'd love pictures of the tub too! Open that lid!

 

[combo52]

Since the washer is still entirely usable I would suggest just keep using it as it is, if this washer is used more than two loads a week it has a very short likley life span left.

 

We always figured that the only two parts that were worth replacing on Westinghouse and these WCI top load washers were either a belt or an inlet valve, so I don't think anyone ever attempted a control replacement, [ I certainly never did one ] LOL.

 

John L.

 

[washerlover]

Westinghouse?

The lid looks like a Westinghouse indexing tub model? I remember them coming out in the late '70s...definitely not Norge-built but worth saving nevertheless!

 

[kb0nes]

So consensus is this is a Westinghouse WCI machine?? I haven't seen it personally, I think he had the idea is was a Frigidaire due to the brand of the replacement inlet valve he got or online part cross reference. Was Frigidaire a WCI company at that point?

Hunch is that it dates to 1985. It is used by a couple with no kids, but lots of pets, so it isn't used heavily but it is used regularly. Clearly the thought of making it pretty is cosmetic only. Odds are if you found a nice panel, as soon as you swapped it in the washer would fail in some drastic manner.

 

[panthera]

Goodness,

I don't recollect anyone ever having such tender feelings for a Franklin transmission machine.

Wow.

OK - so, yeah, pre-wash sprays are pure evil. No question.

To my genuine shock, our local school district used these, um, clothes 'washers' in their Home Ec. classes. When they failed, they were stored in a storage shed belonging to the school district. Since they failed very early in their life (they came pre-broken, basically) they were stored in great cosmetic condition.

 

And that's what I would do - write to the various school districts and other institutions around the area and ask whether they have any Frigidaire, White, WCI, Westinghouse, etc. Washers lying around.

 

Your friend's best shot at finding a panel in good cosmetic condition.

 

Oh - I only learned about this when they sent them to the crusher and a friend who works for the district and knows I like vintage machines told me. Personally, I think a handgrenade in the basket, lid down and count to five is the most agitation one of these would ever see, but.....