Calling Charles - Richard. Calling Charles - Richard---

[crevicetool]

In a way, I hope the answer to this question is no! That Universal Vacuum that you got with the display unit (VC-6700)from the retiring Vacuum shop, is it Hammertone Blue? This is my ultimate DREAM machine, and in the event that I actually acquire one, I want to be ready. (Mentally) The reason for this mental preparedness? I just received an E-bay Kenmore rocket vacuum (you know the style) I don't know the model number. After an initial clean-up of the unit for storage until restoration resumes this spring on eight more machines, I discovered the damn thing is hammertone brownish. GREAT! the most challenging (to me) finish to duplicate and I have yet another one. The Nameplate on the Kenmore is copper, however, (looks really cool)! This machine stands in line now with a Rexair,and a Lewyt 77 Big wheel. So, if you could be so kind as to tell me that your Universal is not Hammertone, I would appreciate it.

 

[charles~richard]

The blue Universals (there were two different ones) did NOT have a blue hammertone finish; it's a smooth metallic finish.

You can, btw, get Hammertone spray paint in a variety of colors. I've seen it in turquoisey-blue, gray, silver, gold, red, brown, black and copper. Darned thing is that "Electrolux Blue" apparently was a special color mixed up at the factory; the blue hammertone available in spray paint is much brighter and "bluier."

Granted, spray hammertone is not the same as the baked finish but if you practice with it, and get just the right touch, you can come close. The trick is to get the paint down in ONE thick layer -- overspraying greatly minimizes the hammertone look. The dicey part is spraying it thick enough to get the mottled effect without drips and runs. I practiced on cardboard boxes, and before I'd start painting a vacuum cleaner I'd do some brush-up practicing.

 

[crevicetool]

Thank Goodness!!!

My Lux AE turned out OK, but I'm not super pleased with it, and I will most likely do it one more time before moving on to the other machines. But thanks for the info. Now I just have to get the Universal!

 

[hygiene903]

Kenmore?

By the way Rick, I'd like to hear more about your Kenmore "rocket," or as I call it, "torpedo tank." Is it the regular tank model, or is it a "Kenkart?" What color is the dome, handle, and side trim? Did you get attachments with it or just the vac?
I have a regular "torpedo tank," model 116.730. The "dome, handle, and side trim are all burgandy, as are the attachments. Hose is replacement, wands are original. It runs pretty good and makes that characteristic "prrrrrrreeeeeen" sound when you fire it up. My folks had one just like it when I was little that they used in the basement and to clean out the cars.
Jeff

 

[crevicetool]

It's a

Dark brown-ish hammertone. The dome and stripe are a light tan. I shoved it up in the attic as soon as I got it, should have looked at the model number! It came with a rug tool, two wands, and badly beaten up hose, but all appear to be original. No, it is not a KenKart. The handle, and switch lever are dark brown, as is the cord.

 

[charles~richard]

I have seen many varieties of the Commander over the years, and I mean just in terms of color schemes and not on the cart or off the cart!

Brown wrinkle finish - polished 'nose' & trim
Smooth tan finish - dark brown nose & trim
Smooth tan finish - polished nose, dark brown trim
maroon finish - dark maroon nose & trim
maroon finish - polished nose & maroon trim
turquoise finish - polished nose & dark turquise trim
Gray hammertone finish - polished nose & chromed trim

 

[crevicetool]

Commander, that's it!

I will have to post a picture of this unit. So far, it's none of the above!

 

[hygiene903]

Think I've Got It Figured Out!

The light tan color on the dome and side trim indicate that it's older than mine. Yours probably doesn't have the door over the exhaust like mine does either. It would be interesting if someone had some kind of chart or list showing what models were made when and the color schemes.
I'm not positive, but I think the silver/gray ones were first, turquoise was last, and everything else was somewhere in between.
Jeff

 

[charles~richard]

I'm pretty sure that all of mine have the exhaust door except for the cart versions. But I'll have to look again to make sure.

I do love the sound of this machine -- like none other, expecially the "burrrrrit" when it starts up.

 

[crevicetool]

That's right,

No door, just a hole in the back. I promise to get pics soon. Maybe today! Rick.

 

[crevicetool]

O.K. !! Enough already!! If you guys

Promise to leave me alone......LOL....It is a model 116.722.1 And, if these work here's some pics

 

[crevicetool]

2

copper-nice touch.

 

[crevicetool]

3

just a blow hole

 

[crevicetool]

4

Bottom of unit

 

[crevicetool]

5

Little thingy that holds the front end of the ground

 

[crevicetool]

Last

In hopes you could see the Hammertone, but camera no good for hammertone. Cord bad too. (as soon as I stop talking like a caveman, the picture will come up)

 

[charles~richard]

but camera no good for hammertone.

Especially since that's not hammertone! Hammertone paint has a very pronounced "mottled" look as opposed to wrinkle finish or textured enamel.

 

[crevicetool]

Ah, but it is....

It's very faint. What you see in the pictures is surface rust and crud. The nose is not Hammered, nor is the side trim. But the body is very much hammered. Just as the Lewyt has those big "imperfections" in the finish, and how the Lux model E, AE, are about medium sized, These are very slight, but again, definitely Hammered. I have been in the paint and coatings industry since 1970, so I had a few sources to turn to when researching the hammered finish. I discovered that at least in modern consumer-applied finishes, the addition of silicone to the vehicle of the coating is what imparts the hammered look. It is a defect in the finish, a DESIRED defect. Controlling it, however, it not available to me at a non-production level. The products available at the local paint stores are designed for a specific purpose, Rust prevention in the case of this finish, therefore, the product is loaded with all sorts of additives that make it thick, and very difficult to use for a decorative coating. As you know, Lux and the others in the production facilities no doubt had products made for their use and then the product was baked on. I'll just have to do what I can to replicate this finish! But luckily, that won't be until spring!! Or next year, or the next!!!LOL

 

[hygiene903]

That's It!

That's just the one I thought you had from your description. Think it was the model right before mine. I believe the silver/gray was first, then yours, then mine, then the ones with the polished dome,and finally the turquoise. I think mine was made around 1950-52, so yours could possibly be from the late 40's.
Jeff