Recreating a Washing Machine Button with Replacement Part 3D Printing: A Guide to Salvaging Lost Parts

The button on your washing machine’s control panel fell off and won’t stay back in place. You ask the manufacturer — the part is discontinued, or you need to buy the entire panel for a replacement. But that small plastic part can be recreated within hours with replacement part 3D printing. In this article, we explain step by step how to re-print lost or broken white goods buttons.

Why Does It Make Sense to Produce Replacement Parts with 3D Printing?

White goods manufacturers pull old parts from stock as models are updated. Ordering an entire control panel for a single button or cover is both expensive and often unnecessary. Even though the original part was produced by injection molding, you can produce a replacement with FDM 3D printing that has the same geometry and performs the same mechanical function. Plus, you don’t have to pay for mold costs for a single part. All you need are the correct dimensions of the button and a suitable filament choice.

Step by Step: Re-printing the Button

1. Use the Existing Button as a Reference

If you have an intact button, measure its dimensions (diameter, height, shaft thickness) with a caliper. If the button is lost, you can take measurements from the slot gap on the panel. Take clear photos and note down the caliper readings. This stage is critical for reverse engineering.

2. Create the 3D Model

Using the measurements, model the button in a free program such as Tinkercad, Fusion 360, or FreeCAD. The points you need to pay attention to are:

• Keep the shaft diameter 0.2–0.3 mm smaller than the slot size (for FDM tolerance).
• Model the knurling or non-slip pattern on the button — important for comfort of use.
• Copy the locking pins or clips on the underside exactly.

3. Slicing and Printing

Load the model into your slicer software (Cura, OrcaSlicer, PrusaSlicer). Select a layer height of 0.12–0.16 mm to preserve details on the button surface. Keeping infill between 25–35% provides sufficient durability. If support structures are needed during printing, add supports under the shaft or for clip cavities.

Correct Filament Selection: Which Material Will Be Durable?

Material selection is important for daily-use parts like buttons. PLA is easy to print but can become brittle over time. Instead, opt for PETG or ABS: PETG is impact-resistant and maintains its shape at control panel temperatures (~40–50 °C). ABS provides the feel closest to original parts but requires an enclosed chamber and ventilation. For a frequently used button, PETG is usually the most balanced option.

Post-Printing: Assembly and Small Retouches

After the button is printed, clean any thin support residue on the shaft area with a hobby knife. If it fits too tightly, you can slightly reduce the shaft diameter with 200–400 grit sandpaper. For color matching, you can paint the part with acrylic paint or use matte spray varnish to get closer to the original finish.

If you’d like to produce your own white goods replacement part with this method, share your project with us. As Ucuz3D, with our replacement part 3D printing service, we quickly recreate your lost or broken parts, and you can calculate the instant price and turn it into an order. If you’re not sure which filament is right for your job, check out all the options in our transparent per-gram price list. For more information, also be sure to check out our guide on 3D printing in spare parts production — a step-by-step roadmap for similar projects awaits you there.

Get started now: Upload your design, get a quote in minutes, and reclaim your white goods’ missing part.