Painting an Electrolux... Advice Needed!

[vacuumfreak]

Hey guys, I have recently started tearing apart my Canadian Electrolux 86 (I believe it is the first version... no bumpers with a cream bag door.) and I was wondering what kind of paint that everyone uses on their electrolux's. I have seen some of the restores on here before, and the paint jobs look wonderful! Mine will have to be sanded really well though because of all the chips out of the paint now from the previous owners. Any advice would be great!
Thanks !
Daniel

 

[twocvbloke]

"Any advice would be great! "

Don't use the Mr. Bean method of painting...

(you did say *any* advice!!!)

 

[midcenturymike]

Greetings fellow Windsorite

I would check out Canadian Tire's automotive section. I have had reasonable success in the past finding hammer-tone and metallic paints there, that were used for cars and outboard boat motors, and are a close match to those used on vintage appliances, fans, etc.
If you can get your hands on a heat gun, you can soften up that rubber/plastic handle enough to get it out of the aluminum trim piece. Be very careful to keep the nozzle of the heat gun at a distance from the handle. It is best to start far away and move in slowly, with a sweeping motion. Having that stubborn handle out makes it A LOT easier to clean, repaint, or polish that aluminum trim piece.
There is a little C-shaped clip holding the wheel axle onto the cord reel/back end. It can be slid off with a fine, small, slot screwdriver. Try to aim it at the ground on carpeting or a towel, or it will fly all over the room and you will be looking for it for ages.
I would recommend trying to match the colors first with spray paint, and then stripping the metal parts completely, priming, and repainting. Wear a mask, have proper ventilation, gloves, and eye protection when stripping, sanding, and painting. Good luck with your restoration. These are fabulous machines! I am glad to see that someone young and local is saving these great pieces of Canadian history.

 

[danemodsandy]

Baking Enamel:

One of the big differences between vintage factory finishes and spray can paint jobs is that factory paint is usually baked on to the item. Spray paint is softer and more prone to scratching and chipping, plus the gloss can be different if you're not skilled at spraying.

Fortunately, it is possible to bake enamel at home. You will need an oven large enough to accommodate the item, and you'll need to remove EVERY plastic and rubber part from it. You also should practice on some "junk" items before tackling a HTF vacuum. Here's a link to some instructions:

http://www.ehow.com/how_5534056_bake-enamel-paint.html

 

[kirbylux77]

David, thanks for posting the Mr.Bean video....that was hilarious! Absolutely made my day & made me laugh very hard!

Sandy, thanks for posting the link to this website. I have a couple of old vacs that I have been thinking of painting....so this advice will give a step in the right direction to producing some good results, hopefully.

Rob

 

[truckerx]

The fun part after you repaint the body will be neatly reapplying the "ELECTROLUX" logo in the contrasting color. ....have fun!

 

[djtaylor]

Question... Can you fill in the ELECTROLUX lettering with something so that the paint does not fill in the letters? Something like Elmer's Glue, maybe?
Justin

 

[truckerx]

LOL!....this is the tricky part. I've struggled with the same question and have made many attempts trying to do it. I understand that there is a "paint pen" available at art stores that would have a fine enough point to fill in the logo.
Good luck with it, and if anyone has any better suggestions, I'd like to know about them.

 

[frank1002us]

i would imagine that it would be easier to first paint the letters. cover them somehow and then paint the body. I guess a trip to an art supply store might be usefull.

 

[d-jones]

Painting recessed lettering

Painting recessed lettering is a breeze if the surrounding enamel has been baked on. You'll want to apply the paint to the lettering with a soft brush that has fine hairs, while making a casual effort to stay within the individual letter boundaries. Make sure the paint is just thin enough to flow out after it's applied, thereby erasing the fine striations left by the brush. Now using a rag or a cotton swab that is damp with thinner,(not dripping wet) carefully wipe away the excess lettering paint that strayed beyond the edges of the letters. If the surrounding enamel was baked on, it will be completely unharmed by the thinner. I've used this process many times with very good results. If you have any doubts, try it for yourself on your actual project prior to stripping it for repainting.

 

[vacuumfreak]

Thanks guys for all the advice. Now I just have to go out and find matching paint this weekend. And David, you sure did get a laugh out of me with that video!

Daniel : )

 

[rugsucker]

paint history

matching paint--Years ago the Elux and other service departments could get matching paint in spray cans on the regular parts order.--lettering--You will sometimes find factory rebuilt L or G with white letters on clear tape that was applied after painting.--Good luck.This will be very nice machine.