Over time, dishwasher racks will often require some maintenance. The most common complaint is rust on the dish racks, which can cause rust spots on your dishes. Another common issue is a problem with the track that holds the dish rack. As you may have already found out, replacing the dishwasher rack can be expensive or seem like a waste of an otherwise perfectly good dish rack. The good news is that dishwasher racks with rust or other issues can be fixed without the need for a costly replacement.
Most dishwasher racks feature a synthetic vinyl coating, which covers the metal they are made of. This protective coating ensures that dishwasher racks do not succumb to rust. However, over time, largely due to dishes or utensils scraping against the dish rack and the water pressure, you may start to notice rust on the dish rack.
The small rust spots that first appear will then often then grow and become larger. Therefore, it is good to remove the rust and fix the dish rack before it gets worse. Another reason to remove the rust sooner rather than later is that the rust can clog up and damage other dishwasher components.
When there is rust on the tines – the upright protrusions that hold the dishes up – removing the affected tine may solve the issue. The tines are usually made of a thin metal, which can easily be removed using wire cutters. However, if there is a lot of rust on the rack, or you do not want to lose a tine, purchasing a dishwasher rack coating product is another easy solution. Tine repair kits, with caps to put on the tines, can also be bought to fix the issue.
Dishwasher rack coating products can be purchased online or from a hardware store. Depending on the make of your dishwasher, the manufacturer may also sell a rack coating product designed for your specific dishwasher. To apply the coating, you will first need to remove the dishwasher rack and then remove the rust.
To apply dishwasher rack coating:
Depending on the make and model of dishwasher, there may be components to the rack, such as the rack adjuster, that need to be replaced. With the dishwasher’s make and model, replacing these parts is usually relatively easy. The parts can be bought online or from some hardware stores. They can then be installed, usually by clipping or screwing them on. If the dish rack has become too damaged to repair, replacement dish racks can also be purchased online or from some hardware stores.
If the dish rack track becomes worn or damaged, the dish rack wheels may fall off or jam. The dish rack may also not move smoothly, perhaps causing glasses to break. Depending on the make and model, you may be able to purchase replacement parts, such as new wheels. However, in most cases, if the dish rack track is defective, it will be best to replace the entire track.
Replacing the track will also depend on the dishwasher’s make and model and how the dishwasher is installed. With some dishwashers, the track can be removed relatively easily by unscrewing the screws that secure the track from inside the dishwasher. Even easier, the tracks in some other dishwashers can be removed by using a flat-head screwdriver to pry off the rear dish rack stops.
Other makes and models, or replacing the entire track assembly, may require the dishwasher to be pulled out from under the kitchen countertop to access the screws that secure the track to the dishwasher.
To remove and replace dishwasher tracks (some models):
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