Suggestions?

[fantomfan57]

My Sears Kenmore Magicord Canister is the new "restoration" focus this week.

There is much to do, but I noticed the silver/white lettering images on the top against the wood grain has faded considerably.

I wondered about how I can restore that.

I thought about very complicated taping off the lettering, lines and symbol to isolate them and either "chrome" painting them or even silver leafing them back.

There is a produce where you can metal leaf items that I found at Hobby Lobby.

What do you suggest besides leaving it alone?

Looks like this.

 

[madman]

"Chrome" paint never looks right, and it's a pain to work with, though I suppose it'd probably look close enough to the original silver. I wonder how those water-activated emblem application thingies work/ how they are made. There's probably some kind of printing service that would let you make those. Honestly don't know the proper name for those. That might be your best bet.

It looks like the part with the lettering is completely flat. You could put it on a flatbed scanner and use the scan to remake it and order it printed as one of those things, or a regular sticker.

Other than that, you could painstakingly repaint it by hand with silver paint and a paint brush with like one hair in it.

 

[huskyvacs]

There's always a way to do something, the challenge is just figuring out what way that is. lol

For me I'd just leave it be, but other than a metallic paint marker (not sharpie - might look tacky) not much else I can think of other than perhaps there is a way to copy or replicate the lettering via a decal shop/sign maker. I know for classic cars/trucks/boats people can get decals of old logos and trim names copied off all the time and have replicas made - but I do not think I have ever seen it be done with a vacuum.

there's a random thread here from 2007 that talks about someone trying to get a trailer decal remade and there is a discussion with some options given. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/good-source-for-decal-replication.197462/

Of course 13 years later I'm sure there's even more options now. I've never seen it done before either so this is all new to me too.

 

[human]

To me, some things are just better left as they are and let the defects stand as a testament to its authenticity.

 

[fantomfan57]

Thanks all,

I may very well leave it all alone. I have a set of paint markers, maybe I may try something.

G.

 

[kirbyklekter]

I agree with human

about just leaving it as is. I've got three of those and I could never make it look "factory" applied on there. Do you have the tool caddy that snaps on to the lid?

 

[fantomfan57]

Tool Caddy,

yes, I do have it. The tools I got with it are white. Not sure that is correct. I also has that elaborate square filter cover for the motor. What I wish I had, was the correct PN. I paired it with a perfectly functional later version.

In addition to all this, the color on the unit has really changed from the original. I can tell because of the inside of the lid and the inside of the motor compartment.

I like the wood grain, but I think I may restore the colors to closer to the original.

 

[kirbyklekter]

Color changes

I've got the avocado two tone with wood grain on top as you do. I guess the lighter color was originally almond but it seems to be headed towards a soft yellow as time goes by. I don't smoke and the vacuum is stored out of sun light so I guess it's just the kind of plastic they used.The attachments haven't yellowed but the caddy has. I like these as they are well built and relatively quiet! Yes,the filter cover for the motor is huge. Does yours still have the big sticker under the lid with all the specs? Quite informative.I like the blue on yours. Good luck with the restoration!

 

[fantomfan57]

Yes,

the sticker is still there. I carefully gave it a coat of clear gloss so I can wipe the inside of the lid to clean it at any time.

The 'Sears Best" sticker was long gone leaving a lighter blue oval where it was located.

I found a local craft store that carries lettering stickers. Each sheet has 3 fonts versions of each letter.

The labeling on the hood is both negative & positive graphics/lettering. Then of course there is the "wood grain".

I still may see if I can restore the graphics. I will try to take progress pictures.

 

[fantomfan57]

"Progress"

So I was playing around with a method and this is the result. The silver paint pen is Uchida Marvy DecoColor Premium. That plus Frogtape.

I am at a standstill until I check out the sheets of latter stickers from the Craft Store.

 

[rivstg1]

I like it! clever thinking

 

[fantomfan57]

Ta da!

Purists, please forgive me, I repainted this vacuum. The uneven discoloration really bothered me. After the cleaning, I painted the bottom Nantucket Blue and a light blue for the top. Masking off so that the wood grain stayed as original.

I am redoing the large rectangular pre-motor filter, but used a std. Lamb filter cap until I find a better filter material for the original filter box.

I found a Kenmore logo and very close font for the wordage on the top and plan to print on Avery Glossy Clear Sticker Stock, everything I can reproduce. The only exception is the "Magicord" graphic logo.

Would anyone like to email me a good image I can maybe shrink down?

Please let me know.

 

[lesinutah]

Woa

I remember having a blue one of those growing up. I could pick up more by hand than it picked up. It had an issue for sure.
It's the vacuum that made me appreciate good vacuums.
If you type in Google I'm sure you may be able to get the logo. I have no idea what the logo looks like or I'd try to find one.
Les

 

[fantomfan57]

Oops,

I meant to include these pictures....:}

 

[lesinutah]

Dang

If I had that vacuum growing up I'd be in heaven.
I like the work you've done. It's a nice looking vacuum.
Les

 

[gregvacs28]

A++

Excellent work.


 


In 1981 I persuaded my parents to buy me, a 14 y.o., the then equivalent version new from Sears.  At that point they were beige and brown or beige and slightly lighter beige.  I actually found the original receipt a couple years ago. I should scan it. 


 


Although,  they had the same graphics, I think the wood grain was more of a burl oak or pine and the metalic stencil was polished brass or gold  in appearance. 


 


The power nozzle was the same as the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">later</span> blue versions.  By that I mean the rubber bumper was wider and it had a reset button.  Though by 81 they got rid of the manual edge cleaning switch. 

 

[fantomfan57]

Thank you, thank you....

I will eventually get the correct PN and finish the graphics on the top, but Monday I vacuum!

 

[fantomfan57]

Umm,

so I was moving around and consolidating Electrolux parts, Misc. parts, PN's and stuff this morning and noticed a tub marked Vtg. Kenmore vac.

Seems as though I have another Whirlpool? built Kenmore. Here are the pictures.

I think this is one I got a couple of years back that was on Craigslist. I apparently cleaned it but must have shifted to another project.

As you can see the discoloration, UV damage that is may also be why I stored it. I will most probably mask off the graphics and repaint this one as well. I notice this tool tray and one other feature inside this model's housing are different.

NEW PROJECT!

 

[gregvacs28]

You and your projects

Nice vac but not too nice 

discoloration.


 


Was this one smoked around?


 


Its got to be a chemical reaction because not all plastic parts (that are known to discolor on vacs) are discoloring.  Certain plastic parts on Electrolux metal body vacs have been know to discolor like this, also.


 


I would suspect it has to be exposure to UV and/or excess heat build-up because the inside which never gets light, is fine.

 

[fantomfan57]

Smoked around?,

not by me. I managed to escape the habit in favor of food. The vacuum never smelled of smoke and none of the cleaning cloths yellowed. I assumed it was UV/fluorescent lighting.

Today, I retrofitted the hose ends (both) onto/into a standard electric hose I had lying around. The old hose was so stiff, cracked and dirty, so I harvested the ends.

I have a few things to finalize, but I think this is going to work very well. I might take a picture.

Ciao!

 

[gregvacs28]

Def. share.


 


making use of electric Kenmore ends like that is not easy.  


 


I just picked up a blue kenmore canister but it's one of the smaller square ones.  A younger brother if you will, to your TOL.  It has all the parts though it's not a pn model.  The hose is a smaller diameter than the electric hoses and yes, wire reinforced.  The hose can't be more than 1 1/4".  Both ends the plastic is deteriorating badly.  


 


The plastic housing is also discolored.   The thing I don't like about these Kenmore models, other than the discoloration tendencies, is that they had so many easily broken edges.  Some of the green ones are pushing the 50 year old mark.  In all that time these vacs have got moved around, dropped, and just misplaced and the bottom hinge end is particularly susceptible.  Also the handle and the foot petal. 

 

[gregvacs28]

pic of the pn another member found years ago, for your blue tol model. 


 


It should have a light on it.

[this post was last edited: 2/23/2020-22:48]

 

[kirbyklekter]

You did a great job

with that! It certainly is a machine worth the effort you've put into it. What are the model numbers on your two? I think my model#2599 falls between your two. Does the newer model have the two speed motor? I didn't see the switch on top, or is it on the hose handle along with the on/off switch for p/n and machine? Cheers!

 

[fantomfan57]

Thanks,

Keith! your pictures of the correct PN are making me drool!

Bill, the newer one (2899) does have a two speed switch, the tan one (2397182) ? is plain old one speed.

Each Model numbers are longer than 4 numerals and both are prefixed by 116..

I will include pictures of my adaptation of the older hose ends with a newer std. electric hose. I read somewhere here, the originals had a problem with too much clay in the recipe which caused them to split.

We shall see!

 

[gregvacs28]

I had that 2397182 back in 2002 when I was going thru a "collection phase".  I found it at a vacuum store in the back room.


 


It wasn't discolored but it didn't have any attachments or hose.  It was clean and super strong suction.  When you turned it on  the suction would deflect the flat top.   I'm sure yours does it too.


 


"too much clay in the recipe"? 


No, they were just CHEAP !  A single layer of plastic with fiber glass threads spaced about 1/2" apart and wrapped around the spiral wires of the hose.  That's all it was.  CHEAP. 


If you had strong fingernails you could easily poke a hole through the hose.


 


The newer hoses (20+ years old) are a thicker, rubbery material.  And self sealing.  No fingernails through that.


 


I love this series of Kenmore vacs but the hoses weren't the greatest.  Yet, I would take them anyday over a woven electrolux hose.  My second fav. canister vacuum.


 


If you got something like this, you could probably pop off the end and put the proper end in place.  Even though it's the wrong color, with your painting skills you'd probably have it to the exact shade of white in no time.


 


Or if you were going to use it with the beige one it would have be the new beige color they went with after having all white for 10+ years.

 

[fantomfan57]

Ta Da.....again!

So here are the pictures of the adapted original hose ends on to a std. electric hose blank.

I still need to address the space between the original handle and the replacement hose. I also realize the cord on the motor end, although it works, is weak compared to what is usually used with pigtail cords. I harvested the cord from the original motor end piece.

By removing part of the sheath on the handle end including the built in holding bracket, I was able to slide the handle metal pipe into the blank hose while carefully pressing the pigtail into place.

I tested the everything and the PN worked. No loose connections to arc and short.
Yes I realize the motor end connection has to be manually attached instead of being an instant connect.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

great work!!

I, fortunately, never smoked, either, ever.
I have numerous Hoovers from "Models and Samples', commonly called the VAULT. a massive wall of windows, these machines were never to leave that room. Over the years, the sun damages a lot of the plastic. You can see the discoloration on a lot of them. Look at what the sun has done to so many People!!!!

 

[fantomfan57]

Congratulations, John...

for escaping smoking. It also must be great to have all those Hoovers from the Vault.

As for sun damage, years ago, okay eons ago, I saw a billboard for the Sun exposure. They wrote "Rays Now, Raisins Later". Years later this included Cancer Awareness.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Thank you, so much.

I'm very careful about my health. I won't go into it, but, both of my parents had gruesome deaths, and I was with them both. Suffice it to say, it was Hell.
I might get killed by the ice cream truck! lolol
But, truthfully, the sun can damage so much, fabrics, wooden furniture, etc.
Sun fading is terrible.
Yes, I MAY even have the sign that was on the "Vault".......... It was going to end up in a dumpster, but DIDN'T. YAY!