Restoring Vintage Bumpers

[compactelectra]

I just love the Electrolux (there you go Bob) XXX rug tools. The aluminum can be restored by polishing with a machine, but many times I find the bumper material has turned hard and many times is stretched out. If there is a bumper that is not stretched, broken or cracked, has anyone found a way to restore those bumpers (silicone, mineral oil, etc) to a better condition?

Fred

 

[swingette]

ive heard brake fluid works at softening rubber, i think. not sure about vinyl.

 

[raymanretro]

It depends how rough they are. Some I clean with bleach-wite tire cleaner available at wally world or TSP then use pledge or armor all. Really bad ones I have used acetone to clean but be sure and test an inconspicuios part first and see if it gets soft or sticky. After they are clean you can also rub a paste wax into the rubber and buff to a shine. the white rubber on this $5 model G was yellow but the wax cleaned it up nicely. Good luck!

 

[charles~richard]

Paste wax on rubber

is NOT a good mix! Paste wax is a petroleum-based product which breaks down rubber. For the same reason that, well, to put it modestly, you don't put vaseline or oil-based lotions onto "Mr. Happy's rubber raincoat," you also don't want to put paste wax on rubber bumpers. Plastic, vinyl, leatherette etc. are okay.