Restoring Yellowed Hoover Convertible Cleaner Head - Leave It In The Sun!

[alexhoovers94]

Hello all, I figured, since summer was here, I would restore some of the plastics on my vacuums that had turned yellow due to aging. The process may be familiar to some of you, known as “retro brighting”.

All you really need for this is the hot direct UV raise of the sun, which for best results, you need to do this on a hot summers day, that is not overcast. You need 12% 40 volume cream peroxide, (used for hair colouring) a brush for pasting the peroxide onto the items you would like to work on and a clear plastic box: The box is to cover the peroxide pasted items to prevent the solution from drying out.

Before you start, you need to make sure the plastic you want to restore is clean and dry, then you paste the peroxide on with the brush so that all the yellowed plastic is EVENLY covered, the layer of peroxide pasted onto the plastic needs to be of Goldilox consistency, not too much, not too little.

Set your parts in the hot sun and put the clear box over them and leave alone for the chemical reaction to take place! Be sure to check the parts every 30 minuets and move them around, so they get even coverage of the UV raise.

Once you see the yellowing has gone, wash off the peroxide and bobs your uncle!

Check the plastic to see if you have an even finish, if there are areas that are still a bit yellow, repeat the process.

Remember, this is a skill, so practice on something that is not of value to you, before attempting to restore something that is!

Hope you enjoyed this post, thanks for reading,

Alex.

 

[cuffs054]

That's impressive!

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

absolutly Stunnung!

There are no other words for it! I have a few things that I need to do that too...Its really nice sunny and hot here in Kansas right now. You now have me about inspired.

 

[huskyvacs]

Yep, I knew about this for about 10 years from my videogame hobby, people do this to the NES and SNES. I never did it though because mine are not that bad and it doesn't bother me. It works great when you get the paste right, but this process is only temporary though, it will have to be redone every few years until the plastic wears out from all the chemical treatment. It's just the nature of ABS plastic. They wanted to make a cheap, affordable plastic composite but didn't bother to faff about with making sure it was U/V safe long-term, so sunlight and general light exposure can really eat away at it.

 

[kenkart]

Great Info..

I have a model 70 Convertible that the blue hood has turned GREEN ...I wonder if this treatment would help it or turn it white???

 

[alexhoovers94]

Cuffs054/TheSpiritOf76

Thanks a lot, really impressed with the results!

Huskyvacs

I have read that it goes back to the way it was before over time, but what about if you kepts it stored in a cool dark place? I don’t understand how it can do that just on its own, as the brown tinge comes off into the peroxide...We’ll see, in the fullness of time!

kenkart

Yes, this process will work on coloured plastics but you must take extra care as it will show easily if you don’t spread the peroxide evenly, it can go patchy and don’t leave it out more than an hour as it will begin to fade the colour. So extra care must be taken if you want to use this process on coloured plastic but it will definitely work, as I said, it is a skill, so practice first!

Alex.

 

[ultralux88]

I'm fantasizing about coming up with a way to do this with the parts submerged in liquid peroxide rather than the paste. The challenge is how to do it practically.

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

Hans...

I have a Hoover Portable in Marine Blue, same color as the 1070. That is one I plan on using this process with.

 

[watsonw]

restoring yellowed plastics

Hello Alex,

Well done, and thanks for that invaluable advice.

I have been carrying out the summer seasons vac restorations starting with a vorwerk and Hoover duster and minor models ; so far so good!!

It is so satisfying when these projects are successful isn't it?

Regards, Walter, Shropshire.

 

[huskyvacs]

@ AlexHoovers94

Yeah I am not sure if there is a way you can seal it after treatment? Some kind of chemical sealer? I don't know how to make the whitening permanent, you would think there would be a way somehow.

 

[madman]

Fantastic results!

I find it hard to believe that it will re-yellow much quicker than it did the first time. Keep it out of direct sunlight and it should be fine for many years.

I also wonder if you can put the cream in a spray bottle for more even coatings...