Speckled Baskets

[jons1077]

Tony (my partner who was at the wash-in) is making me ask a question to you all.

Why are so many washing machine baskets painted that dark speckled color? Is there a specific reason for this or is it just tradition?

Just wondering!

(Terry said that if Tony asked a little question in the forum, that would make him seem interested in machines even though he really isn't! haha)

 

[DADoES]

IIRC, someone explained long ago that speckled baskets have a slightly thinner porcelain coating and thus were less costly to produce. White porcelain is simply a speckled basket with more coating.

 

[bpetersxx]

is that why my 308s Maytag has a blue and the 606s and the 806s has a white tub

 

[westytoploader]

No, standard-capacity tubs starting with the 06 series through the 12 series I believe were always blue, and large-capacity was white.

The 1985 Montgomery Ward up at the school's Home Ec lab is a somewhat lower-end machine (temperatures on the timer, but still has the infinite water level control) which has a dark blue tub instead of speckled porcelain like the others. Now I do believe *that* was done for cost reasons.

 

[toggleswitch]

Easier to hide imperfections in coloring when speckeled, as well.
Washer tubs that are all-white show a ring of dirt where the water-line is. Ditto white agitators.
White dryer drums turn blue and green from jeans etc.

On uber-pricey top-shelf ovens (perhaps Wolf, Vulcan) you will see speckled porcelain interiors, and they will tell you flat out: to help hide some dirt.

 

[tomturbomatic]

The dark porcelain is the base coat and very durable. The white porcelain has to be fired on in an additional step. When KitchenAid dishwashers had porcelain tanks and doors, they talked about "Tri-Dura" porcelain. Even if the white layer got a chip, the tank would not rust because of the dark porcelain underneath the white. Old Maytags, especially with the old high fin Gyrator (pre 06 series) will do a number on the white porcelain tub if they are loaded to capacity over the years. The area of the tub wall that is opposite the fins will often show that the white porcelain has worn down so that the blue base coat shows through. This is due to the fact that the load was mostly moved back and forth when the washer was overloaded. I guess the bond of the dark blue or speckled black or dark blue with white is tougher because even heavily used machines out of coin laundries did not show significant wear to the tub down near the Gyrator's fins.

 

[bajaespuma]

Porcelain enameling

Does anyone or has anyone used any services that can re-porcelainize things like washing machine tubs and gas stove grates?

 

[tlee618]

Hi John, it seems like Tony has gotten his answer! He will be a into appliances before you know it. It was great to meet both of you guys!! Remember to plan on Omaha (Sept.16th-19th. Email me if you need more information. Terry

 

[jons1077]

Omaha??? HECK YAH!

Terry,

You know we'll be there! You know I've been addicted to two things since my infant days, lawn sprinklers and washing machines. Since moving to the DC area a few years ago I was sort of forced to forget about it until discovering this site. It sounds so silly, but it really did change me being in Tucson. I could stand in front of a Kenmore for hours and no one cared and in fact, they would stand there with me. It really is a special bond that we share. I hope you don't mind me being in the kitchen with you some this time. I didn't get any Kitchenaid time last weekend and I was so bummed! I got home and had to do a Bob-load in my own dishwasher just to get over it! Anyways, we had a blast and we will see everyone in September for sure. By the way, I think I may have my first vintage washer and dryer soon. I'll keep you updated on what it is. All I know so far is it's avocado green. My favorite!!! Love yah!

Jon

 

[mixfinder]

In the beginning...

Jon,
It was so nice to have another newbie without a wallet full of washing machine pictures to share the weekend with. Good luck controlling the collector bug.
Kelly

 

[jons1077]

Control it???

Kelly,

I think going to that washin pretty much made me lose control of the collector bug in me. Tony and I are looking into buying a house with a basement in Portland, OR right now. He's already said he plans on that basement being full of machines if we move there. hehe... We'll see what happens. It was sure nice meeting you!

Jon

 

[toggleswitch]

ooooh child. There is no turning back now.

 

[panthera]

welcome to the dark side

And another joins our every increasing throng.
We are multitudinous!
Resistance is futile!