Well, it has been quite a journey! Back in February, Robert was contacted by a person in Tampa, Florida asking to post this Westinghouse Laundromat for sale on the board.
Westy L5 - Back to Life!!
- Thread starter turquoisedude
- Start date
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So, I bought it!
I had always wanted a Westy washer - my earlier attempts to buy a Canadian set had failed, so when I saw this one, I jumped on it! I agreed on a fair price with the seller and had it trucked in to Sherbrooke, Quebec. By the time I got it to Ogden, it looked like this:
I had always wanted a Westy washer - my earlier attempts to buy a Canadian set had failed, so when I saw this one, I jumped on it! I agreed on a fair price with the seller and had it trucked in to Sherbrooke, Quebec. By the time I got it to Ogden, it looked like this:
I had my work cut out for me...
This was going to be my second restoration project and I still had LOTS to learn about appliance restorations! I had a lot of hurdles to overcome with this L5. The tub having fallen off the supports was the least of my worries! The timer was dead, the speed changer was seized up, the tub had rust damage and a decent-sized hole in it, the spin solenoid was toast, and... well, you know... There are always challenges in a restoration project!!
This was going to be my second restoration project and I still had LOTS to learn about appliance restorations! I had a lot of hurdles to overcome with this L5. The tub having fallen off the supports was the least of my worries! The timer was dead, the speed changer was seized up, the tub had rust damage and a decent-sized hole in it, the spin solenoid was toast, and... well, you know... There are always challenges in a restoration project!!
But look at it now!!
After months of hard work, patience, frustration, lots of phone calls and emails AND the wonderful advice, help, support, and encouragement of the AWO members, this is how the L5 looks now!!
After months of hard work, patience, frustration, lots of phone calls and emails AND the wonderful advice, help, support, and encouragement of the AWO members, this is how the L5 looks now!!
Repainted nameplate
I wanted to 'detail' the machine, naturally! I got pure-dumb-lucky mixing maroon and purple model paint to match the original Westinghouse burgundy colour!!
I wanted to 'detail' the machine, naturally! I got pure-dumb-lucky mixing maroon and purple model paint to match the original Westinghouse burgundy colour!!
Weigh to Save scale plate
I used the same paint to restore the embossed lettering on the Weigh to Save scale. It looks great now!!
I used the same paint to restore the embossed lettering on the Weigh to Save scale. It looks great now!!
Dials touched up
I used regular white appliance enamel touch-up on the main timer dial and the maroon on the water-level control. They look almost like new again!!
I used regular white appliance enamel touch-up on the main timer dial and the maroon on the water-level control. They look almost like new again!!
But does it wash???
In a word, YES!! I ran the first load of laundry (some towels) through for the first time on Sunday. I felt like a kid at Christmas....
In a word, YES!! I ran the first load of laundry (some towels) through for the first time on Sunday. I felt like a kid at Christmas....
Videos too!
Of course I had to shoot a movie (or ten!!) of the Westy's first wash! Here's a link to one of three videos I posted to YouTube.
Of course I had to shoot a movie (or ten!!) of the Westy's first wash! Here's a link to one of three videos I posted to YouTube.
Proud owner!!
Yep, I am THRILLED with my "new" Westy washer!!
I would just like to take a moment to say a HUGE thank you to Chris (christfr) and Steve (steve1-18) for all their help!
I don't know what I would have done without Chris and all his wealth of information and advice! Thank you, sir!!!
Yep, I am THRILLED with my "new" Westy washer!!
I would just like to take a moment to say a HUGE thank you to Chris (christfr) and Steve (steve1-18) for all their help!
I don't know what I would have done without Chris and all his wealth of information and advice! Thank you, sir!!!
So, what next....
LOTS of things for me to work on still! But I think I will be focusing on dryers for a bit...
I need to seriously attack the GE Combo Drying function dilemma, I want to get the GE Clothes Conditioner Dryer out of the garage and into production, and of course, there is the Canadian Westy CD6 dryer that needs lots of TLC!
Plus, a side trip to the Cape should be happening in a couple of weeks... Stay tuned!!
LOTS of things for me to work on still! But I think I will be focusing on dryers for a bit...
I need to seriously attack the GE Combo Drying function dilemma, I want to get the GE Clothes Conditioner Dryer out of the garage and into production, and of course, there is the Canadian Westy CD6 dryer that needs lots of TLC!
Plus, a side trip to the Cape should be happening in a couple of weeks... Stay tuned!!
polkanut
Well-known member
So Paul,
What does your hubby think of the Westy?
What does your hubby think of the Westy?
Surprisingly tolerant!!
He just grumbled and shouts "Are you sure it's on?" when the spin solenoid kicks in... LOL He calls it a slant-face, not a slant-front, too. He actually told me yesterday he cannot believe how the washer looks now compared to how it did when I first got it!
He just grumbled and shouts "Are you sure it's on?" when the spin solenoid kicks in... LOL He calls it a slant-face, not a slant-front, too. He actually told me yesterday he cannot believe how the washer looks now compared to how it did when I first got it!
paulc
Well-known member
Wow!!!
Hat's off to you!!! What an amazing restoration and a super machine......American F/L facinate me.
Hat's off to you!!! What an amazing restoration and a super machine......American F/L facinate me.
christfr
Well-known member
well there ya go.... woo hoo for you. congrats and i am very proud of you thats for sure!!! she is a fun machine as you already know, dont ya just love the sounds she makes? wonderful job- from my westy to yours a big A plus for you
aldspinboy
Well-known member
Paul That is a beautiful, beautiful Job.
Ok I am ready to come down and set an watch. lol.
The video is nice love the sound's of the control knob certainly tells you that the cycle is advancing, Amazing !
I know your a proud papa.
Darren k.
Ok I am ready to come down and set an watch. lol.
The video is nice love the sound's of the control knob certainly tells you that the cycle is advancing, Amazing !
I know your a proud papa.
Darren k.
Wow!
That's an amazing transformation. Your hard work has paid off big time. Looks likes it just left the factory! What year is it? The maroon trim must be a few years before the one we had, which was a '56, that had blue-gray accents.
That's an amazing transformation. Your hard work has paid off big time. Looks likes it just left the factory! What year is it? The maroon trim must be a few years before the one we had, which was a '56, that had blue-gray accents.
