I have an “antique” washing machine — it was made in 1995 and has served me well for almost 20 years. At one point I had a home warranty and it broke down and was $7 short of being replaced, but instead the bearings were replaced.
I have always been good about leaving the door up on my top loading machine after using it so it could dry out. But I started noticing rust spots on some of my clothes and realized it was rusting around the plastic insert for the bleach dispenser. I finally pulled the dispenser out and was appalled by the amount of rust.
This photo is after I had scraped the peeling paint so it really looks bad. I found a video online that showed how easy it was to remove the cabinet so I removed the control panel and popped the cabinet off. It’s in a small room so I couldn’t pull it all the way off, so I leaned it forward against the wall.
When I looked underneath I found the entire front rim of the cabinet had rust, but the rust around the bleach dispenser was by far the worst.
I scraped the paint and loose rust off and used Ospho. I had used it on 14 steel posts that held up second and third floor decks at my old house and love this stuff. You can see that post at Refinishing Rusty Metal – Ospho
Ospho turns the actively oxidizing rust into an inert substance. I applied Ospho to all the washing machine rust areas and let it sit overnight. The next day it had turned all black.
Since I couldn’t get the washing machine cabinet outside (and it was too cold anyway) to use spray enamel I purchased a 1/2 pint can of Rustoleum Oil Based Protective Enamel in Gloss White that I got at Wal-Mart for $3.97. I figured it didn’t matter how it looked, since it was a 20-year-old machine — I was most concerned with covering the rusty areas.
I applied 2 coats allowing the first coat to dry overnight. I painted the underside of the rim, the area around the bleach dispenser, and the underside of that area.
I’m amazed how well the paint matches. Now only time will tell how well it will extend the life of my washing machine. I realize I’m on borrowed time, but appreciate any extension I can get. And now I shouldn’t be getting rust spots on clothes due to rust flakes falling into the machine.
Would that Ospho work on the holes in the tub that have rust around their edges? I’m getting brown Streaks on light colored shirts.. very irritating. Then would the oil based enamel work to cover the Ospho treated areas ? should I the washer with hot only water empty to clean out the Ospho first before painting?
As an aside, I did replace the hoses on the machine since someone told me they get rust & minerals in them (they have little tiny screens in the ends of the hoses sometimes which build up an can cause brown streaks which look like scorch marks unless you know better (i hang my clothes up to dry so its not the dryer). Best of luck.. in my case the washer tub looking with a strong white light has rust around the little holes in the tub , so this is a probably culprit and I really don’t know how to fix that at all.. someone here mentioned Ospho to neutralize the rust , then paint with oil based enamel?
If there is rust around the drain holes in the tub it would require pulling the tub to repaint it. A point at which I would consider a new washer. A note about hoses — everyone should have stainless hoses since the rubber hoses deteriorate over time and can lead to disaster when they leak.
Do you leave the black substance it turns to after using Ospho on or remove before applying paint?
And how has this fixed worked for you so far?
Yes you leave it on. There may also be a white powder you should brush off before priming and painting. If you go to the Ospho site they have complete instructions.
Can i used these on the inside of the drum , my clothes have rust spots on the clothes ??
Up where water and clothes don’t touch is one thing, but down in the drum where it gets really wet and clothes rub against — I’m not sure I’d try that.
Hi – my washing machine lid is not only rusty but has two small holes from corrosion due to rust. I have cleaned the rust away but would like to close the holes.
Any suggestions for what material to use? I thought of buying Bondo – what they use to work on cars…but not sure it would adhere to the material of washing machine lid…
Help! Spent a small fortune recently on transmission pads for this stackable unit and need to keep it a while longer…
I would look at a product named Marine-Tex. It’s used on boats so it would hold up well in a wet environment and should adhere. I’ve repaired a broken plastic part with it.