Any handymen....please step inside!

[MsKiss]

I've got a 5 year old dishwasher. It's in perfect condition, except the racks inside are rusting. Does anyone know of a high temp paint or coating, or any other fix for this? The cost of replacing the racks would be 2/3 of what the whole machine is worth. Any advise is appreciated, thanks!!

Bonnie

 

[poorboy]

Look for a rack at a used appliance store.

 

[Goober Mcfly]

Jeez, who knew a new rack would be so expensive.

 

[auto doctor]

Rusty Racks

Hello MsKIss

Had the same problem with a not to old Kenmore / wpool.
Was under warrantee after some bitchin to Sears.

But the racks are unrepairable. No coating fix will work. That is what the services guys told me. But I would make a stink with the manufacture and tell them this is a defect. That was the angle I took. I said the racks should not rust if the coating as correct in the first place.

Good luck.

 

[UnMEnXTC]

Never heard of a rack rusting! But then again, if u can put them in the dishwasher, anything is possible!

On a serious note though, your best bet is to check out a used appliance store, or better yet, somewhere (other than a dealer) that fixes appliances. They often have used racks from dishwashers that have been removed, for $20.00 - $75.00.

From some of these places you can also get plastic toppers to go over any damaged / rusting vertical pieces of the racks.

 

[plunker]

I can't believe no one has said this yet but...I would like to put a coating on your rack.

Short-term fix: wrap it in water-proof tape or even duct tape.

 

[Marbles]

I'd like to coat that caboose as well. Wow, Bonnie, you have got it all! Sorry about the dishwasher. Come dance in TO for a bit and I'll help you pay for a new one.

 

[Protoss]

Hi Bon,
This will not help you now but for future reference when you get in the market for a new machine, be aware that there are machines with racks that are coated with a tougher material that resists eliminates the chipping the happens when sharp knives and such are placed on them.
Once the coating in a typical rack is compromised the corrosion accelerates. The specially coated racks I'm talking about not only have a tougher coating, but the ends of the wires/rods on the racks have a spherical "blob" of coating on the end where the coatings are usually quite thin and are most vulnerable from bangng clanging while you load.
Incidently I am able to come and personally examine your "rack" (wink wink ). From personal experience and the posted picture I can attest to the fact that your rack and bum for that matter (unlike the dishwasher) are still in excellent condition.<g>

Protoss

 

[MsKiss]

LOL....you guys are such horndogs!! I didn't even consider for a moment that I was leaving myself wide open on the rack comment.

My exclusive Magtag dealer wanted $320 less tax. I previously checked my water softner grains and my water PH level, and even restrict how much dishwasher soap I use. I did an online search, and apparently this is a common problem. I was wondering if this was the same plastic coating they used on patio furniture a few years ago? I figure somebody's gotta know.

I love TERB men....

Bonnie

 

[BiggieE]

Some of the better machines have stainless steel racks...no rust

 

[guelph]

Had the same problem many moons ago. I found a solution in an appliance repair shop. It was a small bottle of liquid that you brushed on the bare spots. It dried like the old coating and lasted quite a while - I think two years.

 

[MsKiss]

BiggieE, I did look at the stainless steel interiors, but I figured the racks would just end up scratching the pots.

Guelph, could you PM me the name of the shop please?

Bonnie

 

[Protoss]

One more thing Bon .....

If you do decide to recoat your existing rusted spots, make sure you deal with the rust before you cover the spots or it will all be for nought.
Canadian Tire has a product that will "kill" the rust - convert it to another stable oxide of iron. Look in automotive. Goes on white and dries to a black colour. It may even be called rust converter. Be carefull that you don't get it in places that you don't want it - it I'll make a bit of a mess.

Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

Your Horndog
Protoss

 

[Warm Hands]

Hello,

I'll second the recommendation that Protoss just made. You can get various products on the automotive paint aisle at Canadian Tire that will neutralize rust. I have one at home that is shaped like a pen, and it is very easy to apply. Just scrape the rust away and put this stuff on, and it will turn it all black. Once that is done, you can get some high heat paint, still on the automotive aisle, and spray the rack. This type of paint is used to paint engines or brake calipers. You can get paint that will be good for withstanding heat of up to 1100 degrees farenheit. I don't know if you can get chrome, but you should be able to get silver. The whole fix should cost you about $25 in paint supplies and probably an hour of your time. Good luck.

WH

 

[eyeofthedragon]

I have a friend who is an appliance repair person - he does not recommend the repainting of the rack(He is a very honest person)
I'd shop around for a rack .If you want pm me with the make and model and I'll get you a price

 

[Goober Mcfly]

*still chuckling at the rack comments*

 

[Doctor Zoidburg]

It depends where you get the racks.

If you ask a repair man to get and install the racks for you, he will make a profit on the racks as well as charge you for installing them. You might complain that it is too high a price, at the same time he will tell you that he is putting in time to pick up the racks and install them for you.
You might try to call around and get the racks from supply houses wholesale, (where the repairman gets it) and install them yourself.
We are moving to a situation where labour is realy expensive and materials are realy cheap.
I keep up on the business news and it is getting too expensive to make appliances in North America now. In the future you will buy an appliance and after 12 to 14 years you will throw it away and buy a new one. Just ask yourself if the new one your looking at is less expensive than what you paid for the old dish washer.




P.S. MSkiss, if you PM me I will give you the inside scoop.

 

[papasmerf]

If the racks are vinal or PVC coated you can use a tool product called LIQUID PVC or TOOL SAVER


Assuming you know someone with an auto shop. Have the rackes stripped and them powder coated

 

[stang]

I can't believe no one has said this yet but...I would like to put a coating on your rack.

LOL.
Beat me to it.

 

[MsKiss]

Like none of you guys never had a rusty old rack before?? LOL

I'd like to thank everyone who contributed on this thread and PM'd me. As Sheik mentioned, I didn't realized stainless was coated. That makes the most amount of sense cause everything else would appear to be a short term fix. This definately gives me a lot of options to persue. Nothing lasts forever.

Thanks again to all.

Bonnie