Condensation on outside of Vendo 81A

[Hollywood80]

I have a vendo 81a that still gets a small amount of condensation about 12 inches long near the area of the coin door, but not on the coin door but on the edge of the main body next to the gasket.  I replaced the inside foam gasket and the rubber gasket around the perimeter of the door and the gasket over the door latch.  Most of the problem resolved with the above fixes except this one area.  The door closes very tight with the new door gasket, in fact I had to loosen the latch a little to close the door after replacing it.  My concern is that the paint appears to be "bubbling" a little were the condensation is happening.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

[Creighton]

First off Welcome to the Board!!
I don't recall of this issue coming up before. The only thing I can think of is if the main door seal is allowing cold air to escape in this area.
Smoke off a cheap cigar can help to find air leaks. Can you post a picture?
Creighton
 

[coke_and_stuff]

Check the insulation behind the main door liner, There may be little or none left there.

Joey

[Hollywood80]

Thanks for the welcome.  Have been viewing the site for months but this is my first post.  The areas of condensation are obviously an indication of a leak of cold air and the areas are very visible on a warm humid day.  In fact, I believe the problem has worsened the past week or so and is about as bad as it was before replacing the main door gasket.  I did not know about the insulation behind the inside door cover.  This cover is cracking and breaking off in the areas where the screws are.  Removing the screws to replace the cover did break off small pieces of the cover at the screw holes.  I did not remove the cover totally at that time because it didn't look to be simple, and I am simple.  This machine is outside under a very well covered patio.  I have had it for about 6 months.  My one and only.  A connection to my childhood.  I will attach a couple of pictures to try and show the condensation area, which now appears to be about 3 feet along the door and also some on the hinge side.

[collecture]

You can buy a new door liner and gaskets from a couple of sources:
If you are on the west coast, I'd go with www.sodajerkworks.com
If you are on the east coast or closer to IL, then I'd go with www.fun-tronicsllc.com
It is in an oversized package, so cheaper to go with the supplier nearest you.
Insulation and be obtained from your local Home Depot or Lowe's, etc.
The liner is really easy to replace - unscrew the 30+ screws around the perimeter, fit the gasket around the new liner and screw them all back in. It might be easier to lift the door off its' hinges and lay it down on a padded blacket, but can be accomplished with the door still on the machine. Screwing the screws in a criss-cross fashion (kind of like the lugs on the wheel of a car) might make it easier.
If reusing the current gasket, clean it up and soak it with Armor-All prior to installation.
Good Luck!

P.S. Nice looking machine - I love the all red 81A's - Here is my all original one!

[Marvin]

Welcome aboard.

New door insulation and a liner will most likely solve your problem.  Like said above, a door liner is pretty easy to install.  If you run into trouble just ask here. 

That machine looks way to nice to be outside!!!  Here in the south, it would be ruined in no time at all.

Marvin

[Hollywood80]

Thanks for the info.  I will order a new liner and also replace the insulation.  The main door gasket is brand new.  Just installed it a couple of weeks ago.  Are there anyother gaskets I should be replacing?  The machine sets under a deck that has been finished off with a "Dry-B-Lo" water containment system.  The winters here (Portland, OR area) are occasionally cold with temps in the 20's.  How do I winterize if I wish to leave the machine outside? I apply a high quality auto wax every couple of weeks.  I would like to continue to use it all year if able.  I have seen custom made covers on some web site (which one eludes me at this time).  Anyone have experience wth these?  Thanks again, Bob

[Hollywood80]

Just curious..... My machine is not embossed with the "vendo" on the bottom.  Was this usually just a decal applied?

[MoonDawg]

        Your condensation is on the body, not the door. You need to remove the latch reciever and the breaker strip on the right hand side of the cabinet and stuff more insulation in there.

[Hollywood80]

Oh boy,  that sounds like something difficult to do.  Is it? Anywhere I can get some color by number instructions? I am very much a novice at this. Thanks, Bob

[sodaworks]

It is very easy to remove the breaker strip. Remove the latch reciever (two screws) and just remove the breaker strips from the clips.

[Hollywood80]

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions.  I will proceed and see what happens. 

[Larry]

O.K. Now I sound like a novice.  What's a breaker strip??  Any pictures of one?  I have no Vendos.  Is tha a Vendo item?

Nice machine.  Both the restored machine and collectures.

[SIGNGUY]

O.K. Now I sound like a novice.  What's a breaker strip??  Any pictures of one?  I have no Vendos.  Is tha a Vendo item?

Larry, the breaker strip is the black peice that covers the gap between the tub and the outer shell. It's the black part in this photo.
it is removed by taking off the small clips that hold it to the tub, and there are some small "springs" that hold it tight in place.

[Larry]

Thanks John.

[Hollywood80]

I think I will check out the insulation behind the breakers first and replace any deficiencies and then see how much that resolves my problem. Bob

[Hollywood80]

Hi All.  I finally got around to taking the breaker strip off on the right hand side and stuffed more insulation in.  It was a little challenging since I only had about 1/2 inch of space along the side to stuff the insulation into.  It appears to have resolved the condensation totally, even the little bit that was occurring on the opposite side.  Don't know for sure why that was, since I only stuffed the one side.  Anyway, thanks for all the good suggestions.  Bob

[SIGNGUY]

Good to hear,, Cold air is funny like that.. it will circulate around in there to find an opening so that is probably where it was "leaking" out..

[Hollywood80]

Oops... I spoke to fast, this morning there was still some condensation in the area.  Not quite as much.  I really packed in the insulation as well as I could.  I was surprised at the limited access to the area which made it difficult to stuff the insulation in.  I could see the existing insulation covering most of the area.  I slipped a dollar bill into the door opening and closed it... It appears to have a good seal.  I  wouldn't worry about it except I think the paint may be starting to "blister" in the area where the condensation is happening.  Any more suggestions for my dilemma would be appreciated.  Thanks, Bob

[SIGNGUY]

outside of tearing it all apart, the only suggestion I have is make sure not to PACK the insulation in there too tightly.. insulation loses is R factor when compressed... the loser the better, so maybe it just needed some in there and try not to Pack it it tight...

[Hollywood80]

Good suggestion.  Soon as I can I will loosen the insulation I packed in.