Any Tips/Hints to begin my searching process for a Pink Washer/Dryer Set? I Love Westinghouse!!

Based on my personal experience, I'd have to say that http://www.CraigsList.org is a very good place to start.   There is also http://www.findanyappliance.com (though I've never searched it) and of course http://www.eBay.com.

I've been "collecting" for about 3 years now and the majority of my collection was acquired through Craigs List.   One thru eBay (I got VERY luck with that one!) and others have come through friends here on AW.    I was never really searching for anything specific, much of it I happened to be “in the right place at the right time”.

If you are looking for something specific, like a PINK Westinghouse set for example, it WILL take a while as there are very few floating around out there.   Also, you will have to decide just how badly you want something both in what you are willing to pay and “how far" you are willing to "go" to get it.   Many here have driven many hours (myself included) to go pick something up.   Others here have opted to ship machines across the country, though that has gotten prohibitively expensive recently.

Maybe 3 years ago there was a PINK ’58 or ’59 Westinghouse front load washer & dryer set that came up on eBay here in Southern California.   It was local to me, less then 30 minutes away.   I wanted it but the price went beyond my reach very quickly and finally sold for $1600!!

There are many machines out there which are durable and reliable (Maytag or Kenmore/Whirlpool for example, though others may disagree), so you may want to consider another older "vintage" set until you are able to find your "dream set".

Another thing to remember is, there’s a very good chance the washer you find will need some sort of repair and may not be completely reliable (long term) as a “daily or weekly driver”, it IS 40-50+ years old after all!   So if hubby is handy or has mechanical ability that could come in handy! I’m not trying to scare you here, just trying to make you aware so you won’t have any surprises one you find you’re vintage W & D set.   I have a 56 year old Frigidaire washer that still works like it was new, but I'm not running 6 or 8 loads per week thru it either.

I have a number of washers and have 4 hooked up and usable at any one time. I do 4-5 loads per week, but each washer (that’s connected) does an average of one load per week.

I hope this helps!

Kevin


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Post# 566858 1/4/2012 at 08:32 (4,489 days old) by Amber ()
Checkrate/Likes Hello there! It is so neat to be a member of this site! Though I am in my middle 20's, I have always felt like a child of the 1950's, and have always been in love with the gorgeous styling of this era. I have been searching for a washer and dryer set for a little bit, my husband and I have a samsung washer/dryer set---barely two years old and complete JUNK. I believe in buying vintage--and though I know where to go to buy vintage clothing, and my favorite 50's antique items...I haven't the foggiest idea of where to search for my dream washer/dryer set. Can you help me? I truly appreciate it!!!

Post# 566889 , Reply# 1 1/4/2012 at 11:15 (4,489 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)
Checkrate/Likes *Hello Amber and WELCOME to Automaticwasher.org!!!!* Based on my personal experience, I'd have to say that http://www.CraigsList.org is a very good place to start. There is also http://www.findanyappliance.com (though I've never searched it) and of course http://www.eBay.com. I've been "collecting" for about 3 years now and the majority of my collection was acquired through Craigs List. One thru eBay (I got VERY luck with that one!) and others have come through friends here on AW. I was never really searching for anything specific, much of it I happened to be “in the right place at the right time”. If you are looking for something specific, like a PINK Westinghouse set for example, it WILL take a while as there are very few floating around out there. Also, you will have to decide just how badly you want something both in what you are willing to pay and “how far" you are willing to "go" to get it. Many here have driven many hours (myself included) to go pick something up. Others here have opted to ship machines across the country, though that has gotten prohibitively expensive recently. Maybe 3 years ago there was a PINK ’58 or ’59 Westinghouse front load washer & dryer set that came up on eBay here in Southern California. It was local to me, less then 30 minutes away. I wanted it but the price went beyond my reach very quickly and finally sold for $1600!! There are many machines out there which are durable and reliable (Maytag or Kenmore/Whirlpool for example, though others may disagree), so you may want to consider another older "vintage" set until you are able to find your "dream set". Another thing to remember is, there’s a very good chance the washer you find will need some sort of repair and may not be completely reliable (long term) as a “daily or weekly driver”, it IS 40-50+ years old after all! So if hubby is handy or has mechanical ability that could come in handy! I’m not trying to scare you here, just trying to make you aware so you won’t have any surprises one you find you’re vintage W & D set. I have a 56 year old Frigidaire washer that still works like it was new, but I'm not running 6 or 8 loads per week thru it either. I have a number of washers and have 4 hooked up and usable at any one time. I do 4-5 loads per week, but each washer (that’s connected) does an average of one load per week. I hope this helps! Kevin

Post# 566931 , Reply# 2 1/4/2012 at 13:33 (4,489 days old) by aviondavid ()
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Do it yerself PANK* When I lived in Hawaii, my washer and dryer lived outside on the lanai. The top of the dryer started getting rusty (all the humid salt air yah know) and why repaint something boring white? I bought some regular spray paint and the special spray paint for plastic. I thought the machine worked MUCH BETTER once I painted it. I would have liked to have done that horrid HE3t washer I had, but that involved a lot of porcelain, which would involve a proffesional of some sort... Sorry to hear about the Samsungs-I sure understand the bitterness of buying some fancy new top dollar machine, only to wish I had scanned "The Maui Bulletin" for something older, used.

Post# 566982 , Reply# 3 1/4/2012 at 18:17 (4,489 days old) by Amber ()
Checkrate/Likes *Thanks so much! What about Speed-Queen?* Thank you so much for your input and advice! Yes my hubby and I are both pretty handy, and I am confident...rather SUPER EXCITED to repair and refurbish my dream washer and dryer. I have already taken apart and fixed our set three times...and it was pretty fun!...(Despite the fact that I was grouchy over them breaking down...with no warranty to cover expensive replacement parts!!) I spoke to an appliance technician today locally and he said that I should be looking for a 70's era Speed Queen? He says those are 'known for their reliability'? What do you experts think? I LOVE THE PICTURE of the painted dryer by the way!!!!! Pretty much exactly what I would do!! I love Westinghouse, I already own a vintage fridge, and a vintage roaster with pedestal---Both Westinghouse, they are PROUDLY displayed in our home and....they just make me SMILE! I also collect vintage irons. 50's era of course!! (And I use them, too!) I have fallen in love with the Westinghouse Laundromat twins...as well as the Lady Kenmores that are PINK! ....and I'm a costume designer / seamstress who would ADORE nothing more than to have a beautiful pair of these gorgeous ladies in my PINK sewing/laundry room. I grew up sewing and doing laundry, ironing and repairing professional theatrical costumes...and I have grown to love the process!!! What's better than a dreamy set of wondrous Westinghouse appliances?! I'm so delighted to have a community of people to talk to about my adoration for Westinghouse and everything that is 50's beautiful!!! Thank you so much!!! Excited to receive your advice! I'll check out those websites! Hope I can find 'em!

Post# 566984 , Reply# 4 1/4/2012 at 18:31 (4,489 days old) by neptunebob (Pittsburgh, PA)
Checkrate/Likes Amber, don't rule out white if you find vintage appliances. They can be sanded down finely and then spray painted pink. Some people have auto body shops do the painting but I wonder if any of your theatre stage hand friends have spray painting equipment - although I do not see much spray painting in theatre, they might know how. Also, I would suggest even looking for white-westinghouse, because even the present dryer is the same - oh, I better duck and run for that one!

Post# 566987 , Reply# 5 1/4/2012 at 18:39 (4,489 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)
Checkrate/Likes *PINK KENMORE DRYER* Nice job David on painting your dryer, that really came out great. You could paint your KM H3T if you wanted, the only exterior part of that machine that might be porcelain coated is the top panel, later models are now painted for sure. If the top is porcelain it can still be painted but it may not adhere as well, or you could just cover it with a vinyl material from 3M like the guys are doing to thier cars now a days.

Post# 566989 , Reply# 6 1/4/2012 at 18:50 (4,489 days old) by Northwesty (Renton, WA)
Checkrate/Likes *Pink Westinghouse* Time flies, that set in Califonia was almost five years ago. What a neat set. If you could find a set in any condition and think about painting it. It probably will need painting anyway. These are pretty rare. Then I would keep my eye open for even another one as you will need parts to keep it going...

Post# 566992 , Reply# 7 1/4/2012 at 18:59 (4,489 days old) by Amber ()
Checkrate/Likes That is a beautiful set!! Yes! White is great, too...then I can choose my favorite shade of pink...Pepto Bismol!

Post# 567000 , Reply# 8 1/4/2012 at 19:30 (4,489 days old) by countryford (Austin, MN)
Checkrate/Likes Like some of the others have said, if you can find a vintage set you like you can always have it painted pink. I have done that. I had a 1949 Hotpoint refrigerator, 1949 Youngstown Kitchen Hood, and then a speed queen tub painted pink. They were done by a friend of mine who is a professional painter. He did an excellent job. Good luck on the hunt for your dream machines.

Post# 567006 , Reply# 9 1/4/2012 at 19:41 (4,489 days old) by xraytech (Rural southwest Pennsylvania )
Checkrate/Likes Though this may be entirely too far for you to aquire a pink washer/dryer set, there is currently an early 60's(I think 62 or 63) Sears Lady Kenmore set in pink on the Pittsburgh, Pa Craigslist. The seller is asking $1000. They dont have pics posted but they had sent me some some time back and they are gorgeous. I've attached the link CLICK HERE TO GO TO xraytech's LINK on Pittsburgh Craigslist

Post# 567019 , Reply# 10 1/4/2012 at 20:37 (4,489 days old) by Amber ()
Checkrate/Likes Thank you so much for the link! I think painting is a real possibility, a family friend owns a body shop w/paint booth! I'm sure he would help us! Thank you guys!