Unimatic agitator rubber parts .....

[sfh074]

I finally finished the Unimatic agitator for Frigidaireguy (Bob). It's hard to believe from the "before" picture that the rubber parts were ever a light grey.

The black bakelite column was in rough shape and after buffing on a stationary wheel, it turned out looking nearly new. It was the first time I tried renewing bakelite and was pleasantly surprised. Use the red jewelers rouge and not the green rouge typically used for hard plastics. Just does a nicer job on bakelite for some reason.

I recycled Bob's old pulsator to scavenge the metal top flange from it and mold it into the new pulsator. A new 1/2 cup measure cap, and new upper and lower ring set.

Wishing Bob many Unimatic washes to come.

Bob, when you get it installed, upload a picture or two so we can see a money shot.


Bud - Atlanta

 

[washerlover]

Absolutely beautiful! Am hoping once I start tackling my ‘54 machine I can get the same thing!

 

[swestoyz]

Looking good, Bud. Any updates on how the pulsators are holding up?

 

[hippiedoll]

WOWZERS!!

(Short, sweet, and to the point)...

That looks amazing!

)

 

[sfh074]

Hi Ben ....

Tommy - LosAngeles, my QA guy (big shout out to him) has logged nearly 100 washes with the new pulsator with no change. After 30 washes or so we take the agitator out and inspect and photograph. We plan on doing it again next week to keep inspecting the progress. So yeah, the rubber formula has been worked out. It is still like new. Thanks for asking.

One issue that I had to investigate because the first pulsator started to change color challenged me to figure out if the problem was with the rubber components I was using, .... or was it caused by some wash product added to the mix. Actually it turned out to be both!

One big issue I tinkered with was testing a detergent Tommy was using, Mexican Ariel. I ended up making a strong solution of the Ariel and putting pieces of original Frigidaire neoprene rubber parts .... along with pieces of new rubber parts I made. After a week in this solution, the original neoprene rubber had started to turn that ugly tan color that we are all familiar with on older frigidaire washers. The new rubber pieces that I had created started to expand and change into an ugly tan color. My recommendation to anyone using Ariel, or any phosphated detergent .... you might want to rethink using it. It appears this stuff accelerates rubber deterioration. Both neoprene and urethane I've tested and it causes both to change color, and if left in long enough, they both expand slightly.

Could it be this is why most original rings I've encountered have turned tan and have loosened on the column? The inner diameter of most old rings are bigger than the column they were removed from.

I also dropped new single edge razor blades in the strong Ariel solution and in a strong solution of Tide. After 3 weeks, the blade in the Ariel had rust with pits going below the surface. The blade in the Tide had a light coating of surface rust which could be mostly removed by wiping it off. If you love your vintage washers, rethink the wash products you are using.

Bud - Atlanta[this post was last edited: 7/11/2019-23:28]

 

[Unimatic1140]

That came out absolutely beautiful Bud, I'm shocked at how well the Bakelite buffed out. Super cool for sure!

 

[tomturbomatic]

Do you have as good a progress report on the pulsators for the WO65-2 machines (hope, hope)?

 

[sfh074]

Yes Tom .....

hang in there. I'll be getting back to that mold soon. Saying this only if the 2nd half of 2019 doesn't blow up like the first half did. I also have a bunch of parts to make from existing molds for people. Trying to play catch up at the moment.

 

[turquoisedude]

Wow, Bud, it looks amazing!! Great work!!

 

[swestoyz]

Bud, I'm so glad to hear that the testing of the pulsators has gone well!

The results you got by buffing the bakelite are quite amazing. This opens up opportunities to buff bakelite agitators and the like for future restorations.

Ben

 

[tomturbomatic]

I read someplace years ago that Brasso polishes Bakelite beautifully.  It was in an article about Bakelite jewelry and decorative accessories.

 

[golittlesport]

Amazing!

Wow! What an astonishing transformation! And interesting information about detergent effects. Thanks for sharing.

 

[sfh074]

I tried Brasso ....

and it took the oxidation off. But the Brasso leaves a waxy residue and it turned white after a few days, especially if there are pits or rough areas that can catch the Brasso. If the item is in good condition to begin with, the Brasso would give a nice polish I presume and take out light scuff marks.

I found that the red jewelers rouge worked very nicely. If there are areas that are scratched, use 400 sandpaper to get past the scratches and then buff. Not a lot of work with a buffing wheel.

 

[lotsosudz]

absolutely Incredible

You did a amazing job on that pulsator. I can tell you are the kind that like to agitate things in certain situations. Just say'in.
Hugs,
David

 

[qsd-dan]

Those results are so amazing! It's like you took a DeLorean to the 50's and brought back an agitator.

 

[300c]

Amazing!!!

 

[bajaespuma]

Bra-freakin'-Vo

You deserve every penny that you can get for your brilliant services. And this is from someone who has every intention of finding and acquiring a Unimatic Custom Imperial 1958 (for the second time in his life) and needing parts.

 

Is there any possibility that you will be able to work with the plastics that GE used for filter-pans in the future? Or can you make these:

 

[sfh074]

Well ......

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier; font-size: 11pt;">anything is possible if the mold is small enough to put into a 5 gallon pressure chamber. It is a little bit bigger than a 5 gallon paint bucket. For me that is the limiting factor.

Bud - Hot-lanta, GA

Is everyone staying cool?

[this post was last edited: 7/14/2019-16:14]

 

[marks]

Wow that’s awesome! Bob I may consider having you do mine too!