My Hoover 725 Project - Part 1

[mbhdesign]

Hi everybody,

Just wanted to start this thread to share some pics and my restoration progress on my recently acquired Hoover Model 725 (early).

The following photos show each of the components as I have unboxed them and as I am beginning to assess their condition and restoration needs.

Looks like this vacuum was possibly factory (or shop) refurbished at some point and has acquired a "newer" bag along with drab textured beige (sand color) paint over the aluminum housing. Cord plug has been replaced too.

Now the fun begins!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Michael,

Looks like a lot of that is going to clean up nicely. Amazing for an appliance that has survived that long!!

 

[mbhdesign]

Gottahaveahoov,

Thanks for replying! Yes, I'm surprised it's in as good a shape as it is — so many of these seen a lot of use in their day.

I plan to remove the painted housing to bring it back to it's 1929-1931 polished aluminum finish. Amazingly, it looks like the orange enamel on the badge and upper motor housing is intact! Might be original, might have been repainted during a "re-fit" - but great to have.

 

[johnnyb59c]

nice

nice looking project. sad they painted it instead of cleaning and polish. does it run? I thought about doing my 700 but I hate working with those handle and switch wires! interesting thing, years ago when I bought it, it was in an old department store and I bought a new wallet along with the old Hoover. next day, the building burned!

 

[vacmadman]

Good Luck

These are nice vacuums, good luck on your project. It has the original bumper trim that's a very good thing indeed. I have a 725 in my collection.

 

[johnnyb59c]

beauty

I have 800 we use regularly

 

[mbhdesign]

Does it run?

Wow! That must be one lucky vacuum cleaner and wallet!

Good question about whether my 725 runs. The seller said it did, and I have no reason to doubt it based on my external examination. Cords look solid, good switch, clean fan and intake. One tape repair around the replacement plug.

I don’t usually plug in anything of this age until I’ve given everything a twice-over. I’ve learned that a little patience on my part usually pays off. Especially with parts so hard to come by. Had to learn the hard way, of course, having blown up a few 1930s electric toasters in my earliest attempts!

I’m hoping the painted housing protected the aluminum all these years. I’ll get it in the parts washer and try some gentle removal techniques to start.

Finally got the agitator bar free! Whew, that was a crusty job!

 

[mbhdesign]

RE: Original rubber trim

@vacmadman,

Thanks for showing your gorgeous 725! I wasn’t sure if the rubber furniture trim bar on my 725 was original or not. Thanks to you now I know!

I also suspect the orange trim color on mine might be original, too. Just enough carbon deposit heat scorching near the upper housing air vent slots to convince me nobody repainted it.

 

[johnnyb59c]

orange trim color

all 725's I've ever seen all had the orange trim on the motor

 

[vacmadman]

All 725?

Jason,

I have seen a number of 725 here on Vacuumland with the black trim. Having said that I do think the trim on mine was replaced. I'm certainly no expert, and you could be right.

Jim

 

[mbhdesign]

Not repainted orange

Yes, you are quite correct. I thought my unit may have had its orange strip “refreshed” when it acquired its sand beige painted housing at some point.

Fortunately it seems the orange is the 1929-1931 paint, unaltered. So I can use it to match my attempt at a cloth bag silkscreen reproduction.

 

[air-waycharlie]

VacMadMan,

BEAUTIFUL 725! I really like the simple, art-deco lines of those coffee can Hoovers.
BTW, is that a Kenmore Imperial, (Bugeye), I see in the backround? I have one too so my eyes noticed it right away.

 

[johnnyb59c]

?

what kind of fabric are you going to use for the bag?(I assume you're making a new bag?)

 

[vacmadman]

Bug eye and replacing bumper trim

Charlie,

Yes that is a Kenmore Imperial (Bug Eye) I replaced the bumper trim on that one with a simple cargo strap I had in the back of my truck. I have also used a car motor belt as replacement trim on my Kenmore Automatic....."Thinking outside the box"..LOL!

Jim [this post was last edited: 2/13/2021-12:21]

 

[air-waycharlie]

Jim,

Just beautiful and thanks for the info on the trim. Both are just wonderful. I'm on the road at the moment but when I get home I'll post a picture of mine. It came from my friend Tom Gasko. He knew it was something I had been looking for, for a long time. Yours has the original bag....kind of makes me pea-green with envy!

I also have a sister to it, the "Kenmore Deluxe", which looks like something right out of the movie, "Metropolis". Those art deco vacs are just wonderful.

Thanks for the glam shots of yours.

 

[mbhdesign]

Repro bag fabric choices

I’m considering a Bull Denim cotton twill (in black) 12oz weight. It has the right weight and tightness of weave. Next is a brushed cotton heavy weight cord twill, it’s “ribbed” weave is more prominent (like a mini corduroy) but may be too soft in feel.

 

[johnnyb59c]

thanks! helps

I wanted to make new bag for my 800. it has original bag but has some holes not real noticeable but one was in the folds that when inflated that comes to kind of a (point) and lint was starting to come out. I got it fixed in places where there were small holes by turning the bag inside out and cleaning real good and used some liquid fabric stitch and gorilla tape. Works perfect but still would like to make a new bag but the fabric is not all one color. would also like to replace the handle grip with something close if not original type, but for $25 I took a chance on the 800. The 700 I got- (the one that was in the store that burned the next day) $20 wasnt too bad either- especially since it came with attachments.

 

[mbhdesign]

Two tone cloth bag approach

Thanks johnnyb59c.

That’s a really sharp looking 800! Thanks for sharing those pics.

I wonder if you could obtain some bull denim in charcoal grey and use fabric dye to paint the black section? You would need to make sure the fabric is 100% cotton so the dye will take.

I have a kit for DIY screen printing I obtained from ezscreenprint. Adding a link to the kit on their website. But, if you know a t-shirt printing company near you, you could see if they would run up a design (from a black and white photocopy or home printer) on fabric you provide. It would be a one color print job, so the cost would mostly be the custom screen and any set-up.

First thing I need to do is draft a sewing pattern on paper from the bag I have, without taking it apart. Not too tough to do. The hard part will be carefully removing the bag ring as the hardware has rusted solid.

https://ezscreenprint.com/products/diy-basic-screen-printing-starter-kit

 

[johnnyb59c]

thats awesome dude-

the ring on mine isnt too bad but hard to get at that little screw. i believe i actually have another ring from one that had the bag tore up. this is the machine the housekeeper uses twice a week when she's here. we all like it because its quiet. the aromador actually works perfect! i put rose fragrance oil on the cotton gauze inside it thats used in candle wax. bag always smells like roses and that from the tiny hole in the belt cover. i'd never seen one before have you? it came on my 800 when i got it