General Electric floor scrubber/polisher.

[ajc31980]

HI
I found this old G.E. floor scrubber at work buried in the back of the supply room. my boss said it was mine if I wanted it. so.. of corse it followed me home lol. it runs great ! but unfortunately, the bristles are falling out of the brushes and I don't have the buffing pads. does anyone know of a place to source new brushes or the buffing pads? I haven't had much luck searching on google. model number is P12FP4

thanks
AJ[this post was last edited: 1/1/2024-19:55]

 

[paul]

First, welcome to Vacuumland, AJ!

Sorry, though, that I am unable to help you with sourcing replacement brushes. Your best bet is to wait for them to appear on eBay or another online website.

Also, congrats on obtaining a vintage Twin-Brush G-E polisher. The Model is actually FP4. G-E's category numbers included the model number and another identifier—maybe a catalog number or series number. According to newspaper ads, it was sold in the early '60s along with the deluxe chrome-hooded/green-bumpered & corded Model FP5 & the similar-looking Model FP3 with the wax dispenser.

Another option to search for replacement brushes:
https://www.spraymart.com/download-...MI7Nbj0O3BgwMVsU5HAR2zyQgDEAMYASAAEgKyIfD_BwE

Keep us posted if you find a source for new aftermarket parts.

Thought you might be interested in seeing some magazine & newspaper ads and operating instructions booklet covers for the FP3 (current eBay listing) & FP4 (ended Worthpoint listing). I also included a photo of the back cover of the FP3 booklet that shows the locations of the Service Centers at the time. Those cities may be good places to look for parts from vac stores or online ads.


Photos:

1. 1959 Dec 14 LIFE magazine ad - G-E products (including FP5)
2. 1960 May 5 TUSCALOOSA NEWS - FP4 & FP5 ad (some other 1960 ads list the FP5's price as $49.95)
3. 1961 Apr 27 NORWALK HOUR - FP3 ad
4. 1962 Dec 1 SASKATOON STAR-PHOENIX - G-E Products ad (showing all 3 levels of floor polishers & sales prices without model numbers)
5. FP3 instructions front cover
6. FP3 instructions back cover
7. FP4F & FP4R booklet front cover

 

[paul]

Here's a couple more Worthpoint listing photos that I'd overlooked that may be useful to you, too:

 

[paul]

A few more 1960 newspaper ads:

1. Jan 13 SPOKESMAN-REVIEW - Floor Polisher, Toaster, Blanket
2. Jan 13 SPOKESMAN-REVIEW - Swivel-Top, Transistor Radio, blanket ad (cont.)
3. May 20 SPOKESMAN-REVIEW - Models C-7 & FP-4 (22-foot cord)
4. May 20 SPOKESMAN-REVIEW - Model C-8
5. Oct 5 PITTSBURGH PRESS - Models U-1 & P-3 (18-foot cord)

 

[ajc31980]

Paul

Thank you so much for posting the vintage ads! I really wasn't sure how old the scrubber was. I was thinking that it was maybe early 70's. I was little off the mark....
this machine has actually had a rough life. it was used to clean the floors in the control rooms at a steal mill. but it runs great ! its just unfortunate that the brushes are starting to loose bristles.
wile searching I've seen brushes that are similar and I may be able figure out a way to make them fit. IF I find something that will work, I'll be sure to post it !

Thanks again for all of that Wonderfull info!

AJ

 

[paul]

You bet, AJ! I like a good data hunt as well as a good vintage floor care appliance hunt. The product's backstory adds meaning for me—glad it does for you, too.

I got so into the hunt that I put together a G-E (USA) Shampooer & Polisher Timeline based on ads & other online info—these seem to have been discontinued in 1970 in the USA, but the Canadian models with different styling and 300-watt motor continued:

1957 - Model FP-1
1959 - Model FP-5
1960 - Model FP-4
1961 - Model FP-3
1962 - Models FP-7 (prize) & FP-8 (new style hood "Do Everything")
1964 - Models FP-9 & FP-10 Deluxe—Shampoo-Polisher
1966 - Models FP-12 & FP-95 (promo)
1967 - Models FP-13 & FP-14

Photos:

1. 1957 Aug 21 LIFE
2. 1957 Jul 14 TOLEDO BLADE ad
3. 1957 Oct 1 ST. PETERSBURG TIMES ad
4. 1958 Dec 7 READING EAGLE - Model C-5 ad
5. 1958 Dec 7 READING EAGLE - Models C-6 & C-7 ad
6. 1958 Dec 7 READING EAGLE - Floor Polisher ad
7. 1958 Jun 4 PITTSBURGH PRESS G-E Floor Care ad
8. 1959 Jul 10 PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE All-Purpose Floor Polisher-Rug Scrubber ad

 

[ajc31980]

Paul

Wow! You definitely do like a good data hunt! That is awesome that you put that together from old ads. it definitely cool to know the machine I have is from 1960! . Thank you so much !

Side note. I’ve been working for a cleaning company the last few months. my supervisor told me that the company literally has a warehouse full of old vacuum cleaners, scrubbers, floor buffers, etc. next time I’m in the main office, I’m gonna see if I can persuade them to let me go take a look.