As some right remember back in August I found an extremely rare General Electric AW 6 washer, the 2nd revised model from the original.
Here is a before and after shot...
Here is a before and after shot...
Update on the 1948 General Electric
- Thread starter Unimatic1140
- Start date
After getting the transmission repaired, it was time to replace the pumps. There are two electric pumps in the machine, one for recirculation and one for drain. The drain pump was gone, and the recirculation was not in great shape so I set out to replace them both. Here are all of the parts I got to replace the pumps. Jed was visiting that weekend and he was a big help in doing this pump project.
Of course for the replacement pumps I used genuine GE parts! The new GE pumps are for their modern plastic top load washers, but they work just fine in a 63 year old GE automatic just as well, with some creativity for mounting them 
To mount them I took a stainless steel sheet and cut it in half, one for each pump. The I drilled a 1.5" hole through the center of each sheet.
Then I placed a new bathroom sink basin drain through each sheet. I cut four holes for the bolts in each sheet as well so they can be bolted to the outer tub. A fresh cork gasket seals the sheet to the bottom of the outer tub.
And here are the fresh new pumps installed. The rear pump is for recirculation and the front one is for drain.
Here he is in his new home, the machine works beautifully now! I couldn't be happier.
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Since along with the one of the pumps the only other thing missing from this machine was the agitator and cap, I had to replace it with something. I have a new old stock early 50's GE agitator that fits this machine perfectly. I couldn't decide between a black or turquoise cap, but I think I'm going to stick with the turquoise...
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All automatic it is!
The cycle timer is on top and the wash time timer is below...
Another before and after shot...
and finally here is a picture of the very first self-cleaning lint filter system...
anxiously waiting
for this post I have been!!!! Wow, it looks soooooo amazing all cleaned up!! I can't believe it. The blue speckled porcelain and the black agitator is absolutely stunning!!! Post# 467976 is my new background, greatest washer money shot ever. period.
I have to ask how you got the cabinet so white? Since it is not porcelain can it just be painted? Excellent job with this gem.
for this post I have been!!!! Wow, it looks soooooo amazing all cleaned up!! I can't believe it. The blue speckled porcelain and the black agitator is absolutely stunning!!! Post# 467976 is my new background, greatest washer money shot ever. period.
I have to ask how you got the cabinet so white? Since it is not porcelain can it just be painted? Excellent job with this gem.
Breathtaking
I'm with Jed, the agitator is stunning. The filter ring which would have been so easy to keep for perpetuity but GE would have missed the marketing hype of the Filter-Flo pan. The ribbed tub which I hadn't noticed before was brought back in the newer plastic tub GEs as well. I guess you'd call it the cycle of life. I can't wait to see it with a tub full of sudsy water. Does it sound like it's older brother? I'll bet the electric pumps are quieter now as well.
I'm with Jed, the agitator is stunning. The filter ring which would have been so easy to keep for perpetuity but GE would have missed the marketing hype of the Filter-Flo pan. The ribbed tub which I hadn't noticed before was brought back in the newer plastic tub GEs as well. I guess you'd call it the cycle of life. I can't wait to see it with a tub full of sudsy water. Does it sound like it's older brother? I'll bet the electric pumps are quieter now as well.
Beautiful Restoration
Robert, as the others have said the machine is just stunning. It looks as though you restored the logo / paint on the front of the machine. Did it just clean up that way or did you painstakingly repaint or refinish it?
Congrats as always.
Patrick
Robert, as the others have said the machine is just stunning. It looks as though you restored the logo / paint on the front of the machine. Did it just clean up that way or did you painstakingly repaint or refinish it?
Congrats as always.
Patrick
aldspinboy
Well-known member
WHAT A WORK OF ART....
Speechless....
1. What technique did you use on the control panel or facia...?
2. What type of paint did you use...Please ?
The tub look so good with that agitator, makes it a little modern nice contrast with all the colors it all comes very nicely together you most be a very proud owner i'm happy for you
congratulations Robert.
Darren k.
Speechless....
1. What technique did you use on the control panel or facia...?
2. What type of paint did you use...Please ?
The tub look so good with that agitator, makes it a little modern nice contrast with all the colors it all comes very nicely together you most be a very proud owner i'm happy for you
congratulations Robert.
Darren k.
Wow!
Can't believe the difference between for and after! That machine looks good as new! Wonderful job!
Now about the cycle timer and wash timer. How do they work together? The cycle timer is the main timer and with the wash timer you can set how long the main wash takes?
Interesting design with the darker/speckled part under the lid.
Can't believe the difference between for and after! That machine looks good as new! Wonderful job!
Now about the cycle timer and wash timer. How do they work together? The cycle timer is the main timer and with the wash timer you can set how long the main wash takes?
Interesting design with the darker/speckled part under the lid.
toploader55
Well-known member
Well Mr. Seger...
You've done it again.
Absolutely Stunning. Just Beautiful.
As the others have asked, What did you use on the Cabinet ? It does look Brand New. Eddie
You've done it again.
Absolutely Stunning. Just Beautiful.
As the others have asked, What did you use on the Cabinet ? It does look Brand New. Eddie
'GE Row'
Robert,
It makes a great addition to your GE collection! I am always amazed at your ability to restore the trim and graphics on your machines. Congratulations on a nice job.
Lawrence
Robert,
It makes a great addition to your GE collection! I am always amazed at your ability to restore the trim and graphics on your machines. Congratulations on a nice job.
Lawrence
mayfan69
Well-known member
Nice job
Always amazed at your restorations Robert
Cheers
Leon
Always amazed at your restorations Robert
Cheers
Leon
robliverpool
Well-known member
Lint Filter
Hi Rob congrats on the machine,
Looking at the lint filter it looks like new did you have to replace that aswell
Hi Rob congrats on the machine,
Looking at the lint filter it looks like new did you have to replace that aswell
Thanks everyone for the kind comments!
I have to ask how you got the cabinet so white? Since it is not porcelain can it just be painted?
Unlike most washers of the time the top isn't porcelain. The cabinet and top was in pretty rough shape cosmetically and the lid had quite a bit of rust on it. So first on the cabinet I used Brasso, fine steel wool (#000) and lots of elbow grease. That cleaned and shined it up beautifully, albeit hours of work. Then I sanded down the top and lid and used about seven coats of spray appliance epoxy, it looks practically brand new.
Does it sound like it's older brother? I'll bet the electric pumps are quieter now as well.
Sounds very similar, but this transmission is quieter after being restored and given fresh oil. Those old pumps were pretty quiet so the new ones are about the same sound wise.
It looks as though you restored the logo / paint on the front of the machine. Did it just clean up that way or did you painstakingly repaint or refinish it?
Nope, again I just used very fine steel wool, a light touch and Brasso which took off all of the old crud and grime that was on it.
Now about the cycle timer and wash timer. How do they work together?
Louis you set the main timer to wash and set the wash time timer to any amount of time from 3 to 20 minutes. The main timer pauses during wash until the wash timer rotates down to 3 at which point the main timer takes back over.
Looking at the lint filter it looks like new did you have to replace that as well
Nope, those are original, the screen flush works really well in keeping them clean automatically.
I have to ask how you got the cabinet so white? Since it is not porcelain can it just be painted?
Unlike most washers of the time the top isn't porcelain. The cabinet and top was in pretty rough shape cosmetically and the lid had quite a bit of rust on it. So first on the cabinet I used Brasso, fine steel wool (#000) and lots of elbow grease. That cleaned and shined it up beautifully, albeit hours of work. Then I sanded down the top and lid and used about seven coats of spray appliance epoxy, it looks practically brand new.
Does it sound like it's older brother? I'll bet the electric pumps are quieter now as well.
Sounds very similar, but this transmission is quieter after being restored and given fresh oil. Those old pumps were pretty quiet so the new ones are about the same sound wise.
It looks as though you restored the logo / paint on the front of the machine. Did it just clean up that way or did you painstakingly repaint or refinish it?
Nope, again I just used very fine steel wool, a light touch and Brasso which took off all of the old crud and grime that was on it.
Now about the cycle timer and wash timer. How do they work together?
Louis you set the main timer to wash and set the wash time timer to any amount of time from 3 to 20 minutes. The main timer pauses during wash until the wash timer rotates down to 3 at which point the main timer takes back over.
Looking at the lint filter it looks like new did you have to replace that as well
Nope, those are original, the screen flush works really well in keeping them clean automatically.
See you tomorrow!
Can't wait! I am soo jealous such a wonderful machine, love the turquosie cap!
Can't wait! I am soo jealous such a wonderful machine, love the turquosie cap!
Robert, it looks amazing and I see you've moved the 58 and 61 to a new place to keep their older sibbling company. Are you planning on moving the 47 there as well to create a "GE corner"?
I look forward to my next visit and see it in person.
BTW, the turquoise cap looks terrific on that agitator. We had a turquoise cap on the 59 GE that was in my great aunt's house when we moved into it circa 1972.
Les
I look forward to my next visit and see it in person.
BTW, the turquoise cap looks terrific on that agitator. We had a turquoise cap on the 59 GE that was in my great aunt's house when we moved into it circa 1972.
Les
revvinkevin
Well-known member
WOW..... speechless!
That is just awesome Robert, what an amazing restoration! You are a miracle worker!
Question: Did you have a new logo / emblem / name plate for it or did you repaint the original? From the photo it looks brand new!
Just fantastic!
Kevin
That is just awesome Robert, what an amazing restoration! You are a miracle worker!
Question: Did you have a new logo / emblem / name plate for it or did you repaint the original? From the photo it looks brand new!
Just fantastic!
Kevin
turquoisedude
Well-known member
Wow, Robert, that is just beautiful!! What wonderful luck that this machine went to someone who could make it look and run like new again!
Congratulations!!!
Oh, and if you can post a video some time that would be very cool to see. The 'two-timer' advancement sounds fascinating...
Congratulations!!!
Oh, and if you can post a video some time that would be very cool to see. The 'two-timer' advancement sounds fascinating...
dnastrau
Well-known member
Beautiful job!
Wow - I am really impressed with how this came out! Stunning!
I am curious about what happened to the original agitator. It looks like it was in the "before" picture (?) Did you have to break it to get it out?
The later replacement with the turquoise cap looks great!
Kudos!
Wow - I am really impressed with how this came out! Stunning!
I am curious about what happened to the original agitator. It looks like it was in the "before" picture (?) Did you have to break it to get it out?
The later replacement with the turquoise cap looks great!
Kudos!
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