What's your opinion on customizing old vac's?

[ilovehoovers]

Do you think old vacuums should stay the same as how they rolled off the assembly line, or do you think customization is good? I personally think customization is good, enjoy your machine as much as possible (as long as you're not painting your Model O canary yellow and hot pink )

 

[thevacomaticiec]

Customizing or upgrading the filter and bags and tools why not

 

[huskyvacs]

I do restorations, so they are as they left the factory. You can't preserve something by ruining it.

 

[hoover300]

I have only painted a whole vacuum cleaner once, this Birtman Ell Dee. The bag had gotten wet at some point and sagged, corroding all of the metal it touched(motor housing, wiring cover, etc). Plus it was missing a fair amount of paint on other parts like the light cover. It was rough grey originally, so I got a slightly lighter shade, brushed off the corrosion, and painted over it to keep the finish. The badge is off a Royal, as the original is gone. I think it looks pretty good.

 

[human]

It all depends...

To me, it depends on the machine. If it's something super rare or historically significant, then I'd come down on the side of being a purist, but if certain parts are simply unavailable, then the best thing one can do is use the closest substitute. On the other hand if it's something fairly common, then why not have some fun and make something you want? I remember a few years ago seeing a thread on here with photos of some really cool custom Kirbys done by Chicago Mike.

I have 'customized' a few of my vacuums, but generally speaking, what I've done is reversible. For instance, I hate dump bags, so I've retrofitted every vacuum I own that came from the factory that way with a disposable bag system, but they could just as easily be put back to their original configuration. I think the most radical modification I've done is a repaint of the shell of an Electrolux PN4A. It's intentionally different from what they did at the factory but It still looks cool.

 

[human]

Below is a list of the machines I've modified:


-Electrolux PN4A: Re-painted scarred-up Silverado gray cover with Rustoleum Hammertone Black Paint and Primer in One, leaving nameplate area bare metal.
-Electrolux PN4A: Replaced scarred-up Silverado gray cover with polished aluminum PN4 cover.
-Kirby Classic II: Replaced original dump bag assembly with Legend II bag assembly.
-Kirby Heritage 1HD: Replaced original dump bag assembly with Heritage II bag assembly and new OEM orange bag.
-Kirby Heritage '84: Replaced original emtor and fill tube assembly with one from a Heritage II because I couldn't get the original parts back onto the bag after laundering it.
-Kirby G5: Replaced the worn bag assembly with one from an Ultimate G (kept the G5 bag topper) and added a gray cord to match (cheapest parts available).
-Sanitaire SC686: Replaced dump bag with an OEM F&G bag assembly and the brush roll with a VibraGroomer II.
-Sanitaire S649: Replaced original (damaged) 30-foot gray cord with a 40-foot black one and light gray Dial-A-Nap knob with a black one to match the cord.

 

[caligula]

I'm a purist.

I want all the machines in my collection as close to original as possible.

Since my machines do back to the 1930's, and some even further back than that, like the upright Air-Ways, this isn't always possible. Many of the bags cannot be replaced, likewise cords that are no longer safe, or cloth hoses that leak. But whenever possible I want them like they just came off the line. Certain brands like Electrolux, I want to follow exact specifications. And if I can find them, all the tools and accessories that went with them.

 

[kirbyklekter]

I did two Kirby's

An Omega and a ds-80. However I retained the original parts and can revert back

to original in about 5min. on each. Black Heritage wheels on both and the Heritage

II Legend conversion to paper bag system on the Omega. These were duplicate mach-

ines so I thought why not. Would never throw out original parts.

 

[kloveland]

Original for me is best.

 

[bikerray]

You mean like powder coating in colors and adding winky lights?
Taking the sled runners off Electrolux vacuums and adding casters?

BOO, HISS, NO

 

[hoover706]

I hate it when diy/vac-repair people put things like sleds on Electrolux model XXXs. I don't always mind it when people paint them though, as long as color choice is good.

 

[hoover706]

Casters

I meant casters

 

[madman]

As long as it's not irreversible. Or like it's been mentioned, if the machine was in such a poor shape to begin with that an irreversible modification is the only way to preserve it, then yeah.

Or if it's some kind of machine that there's already a million of them out there still. Granted that argument has destroyed many classic cars before they were classics.

 

[luxlife]

Although original is most ideal, it’s not always possible….

If I’m going to modify something, I need to be able to justify the modification in my mind. My best example is one that’s currently on my to-do list: My Lux Auto G that I want to make practicable for daily use. I intend to do this by obtaining a new pigtail hose and swapping out the original turquoise wheels for some of the replacement casters that are being sold as office chair replacement wheels, but are actually wheels from inline skates. I know that they’ll be hideous to look at, but they’ll roll beautifully. Wheels have always been a bone of contention for me with the vintage Luxes because they’re so fragile.

I’m also of the opinion that some things done to our poor defenseless vacuums should not be lumped into the category of “modifications”. For example, painting a vacuum in a non original color is just unexplainable to me. I would never take a can of gold spray paint and paint my canister tools. Likewise, I’d NEVER take a paint brush and a can of interior latex paint to paint the body of my vintage vacuum cleaner, nor to the hood of my vintage power nozzle! Yuk![this post was last edited: 7/19/2022-21:16]

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Jett,

Personally, I wouldn't. I'm a traditional 'purist'. I'm all for restoring, but not changing.
But, if it's your machine, and it's your thing... hey !

 

[dysonman1]

Double Edged Sword:

I'm a purist as far as my collection. Original factory conditions. That's why we 'hunt' out whole lives for those obscure parts in original condition.

However...........

I modify vacuums all the time. For Sale!
We used to take chrome dome Rainbows, rebuild the motors, replace the chrome dome with the plastic D3 cap and baffle. Put it on a new pan and new dolly. Add a D4 attachment holder (which had to be screwed on to keep in place). Generic attachments. SE electric hose and a new brush roll in a D3 power nozzle along with the belt, and now it's a vacuum For Sale. Sold hundreds of 'rebuilt' Rainbows, many are still in use. Nothing is really original; it was modified for sale.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

One time, at a VCCC convention

our Dave Kerr modified 2 shopvacs...entered in the 'monstervac' competition.  It was amazing.


 


Our Mike Balda restored numerous cleaners.  His Hoover 28 was meticulously redone  for a NETFLIX series.  Granted, the base was a different shade from the original. BUT. that thing looks and runs like it did right off the line in the '40s.


So....................

 

[dysonman1]

My friend Michael Balda will be here in September for the Collectors Convention. It's always amazing to see what he brings. Last year, he restored former VCCC President Charlie Watrous' Premier upright from the 1930's. And he makes all our Convention T-shirts and Merchandise. What will he restore this year? The Theme is Power Nozzle Canisters. Hmmmmm.

 

[royalsuper]

restoration YES customization NO