Dryer Fix and Re-paint

by scottdesignworks

1.2K1215

Intro: Dryer Fix and Re-paint

I fix things. A lot. But one problem I have with fixing things is that if you do it well no one can tell it was ever broken. It’s kind of a thankless job. “What? That used to be broken? And now it’s not? Oh. OK.”

So sometimes when I fix a thing I like to improve it. Or at least make it clear that it’s not just a new one.

So when the dryer stopped turning, and I had a few days to wait before a new drive belt would arrive, I thought, “why not have some fun with the colors?” The pieces come apart easily, and I already had the front taken off. So here is how I did it.

STEP 1: Take Out the Lint Screen

Take out the lint screen, and remove the two screws underneath.

STEP 2: Open the Top

The top pops up with a little prying with a screwdriver. Use a bungee or rope to prop it open.

STEP 3: Front Panels

The front panel is held on with two screws inside the dryer in the top front corners. Remove those and the front lifts off. The bottom panel just needs a tug on the top to remove.

STEP 4: Remove the Drum

It just lifts out. It's a good idea to vacuum out the inside at this stage.

STEP 5: Check the Rollers

One of mine would barely turn. This is what caused the old belt to break.

STEP 6: Take Off the Seized Roller.

There is a little plastic clip that holds the roller on its shaft. Pry it off with a screwdriver, and the wheel will slide off.

STEP 7: Clean and Grease the Roller and Shaft

It took a little scrubbing to get it clean. Then I used lithium grease to lube it.

STEP 8: Put the Roller Back On

Slide it on. Make sure it turns freely. Then put the plastic clip back on.

STEP 9: Put the Drum Back in and Place the New Belt Around It

The belt needs to feed through idler pulley assembly and go around the motor pulley.

STEP 10: Make Your Mark.

Before putting it all back together, visualize the improvement you want to make. I checked out my spray paint supply and found some colors that I liked together. Then I tried a few combinations in Sketchbook.

STEP 11: Spray Paint

Set up some saw horses. Then spray your parts. You obviously have to do this in stages, one color at a time. But spray paint dries pretty quickly. On a breezy day I was able to re-coat or change colors after 20 minutes. I didn't want to take the top off the dryer, so I painted it with a brush and some black enamel.

STEP 12: Reassemble and Done.

Just reverse your disassembly steps. Done. Smile. Take pictures. Write an instructable. You just saved $400 and didn't have to put a perfectly good dryer in the landfill.

14 Comments

richiebricker 2 years ago

Love the matching paint scheme, Well done

Ricardo Furioso 2 years ago

Lovely work. Thank you for sharing. Great idea and execution.

Stevens Workshop 2 years ago

Nice detailed fix / upgrade.
The paint job really finishes it off.

IJustLikeMakingThings 2 years ago

I really like the color you painted this. It's got a cool almost cartoonish look to it. I really love when things are repainted to be unique.

scottdesignworks 2 years ago

Thanks. I was thinking it looks like a cartoon, too...

JohnW51 2 years ago

Good job! A lot of dryer problems are easily fixed. Our electric dryer stopped generating heat. I knew it was a burned out heating element. I got the model number from the dryer and found a replacement element for about $40 online. I put it in myself in about 15 minutes. That would have cost $90 for the repair call and probably $65 for the element. So I saved about $115 for about 15 minutes work.

seamster 2 years ago

I like the incredible paint job. Nice!

aaahotdog 2 years ago

That's great. I'm impressed. Good job