Yellowed Dirt Finder Lenses

[hooverboy81]

Is there any way to lighten the yellowing on vintage Hoover dirt finder lenses? I have many machines from the 1950's, and would love to get rid of at least SOME of the yellowing. Any tips, methods, or products anyone has used with success?

 

[cam2s]

Headlight cleaner

Recently there was a headlight restoration kit marketed for cars on tv. I don't know how well it works, but it couldn't hurt to try it. Meguiares makes one too. You should be able to find it at an auto parts store. I've also seen both the as seen on TV product and the Meguiares at Wal-Mart.

http://m.meguiars.com/go.php?pck=52...vi=32046&NMSS32046=i44p9p4kap0ia7rfvh4daun676

 

[hooverboy81]

Yellowed Lenses

I can give that a try. I know I had heard of a product that removes some of the yellowing in plastics from age, but cannot for the life of me remember what it was! It's purely cosmetic, of course, it just bothers me. Considering some of the cleaners are 59-61 years old respectively, I shouldn't complain! They are in excellent shape mechanically, and cosmeticaly...just those lenses! I'll pick up some of the Meguiares and see how that works. Thanks!

 

[cam2s]

Headlight cleaner.

After you get some and try it you'll have to let us know if any of that stuff actually works. I'd hate for any of us here to miss some dirt on the carpet because we couldn't see it with our yellowed vacuum headlights!

 

[hooverboy81]

LOL!

That would be a shame, wouldn't it? lol! I'm a geek when it comes to restoring, and since replacement lenses are just about impossible to come by...I'll try anything to "brighten" the situation! lol! I like your sense of humor!

 

[truckerx]

I have used the plastic head light cleaner on cars. The kit I used was a three-step process and required a LOT of HARD rubbing and pressure. That much pressure might crack a relatively delicate Hoover lens, as the kits are designed to restore hard polycarbonate plastic automobile headlamp lenses.
Not sure what I'd do, and have not yet tried this, but was thinking that an overnight soaking in some water with bleach might help. I can't see how it would hurt, and Clorox is cheap. Let me know how you make out.
....just some thoughts from another amateur.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

You might want to read this entire thread, pay close attention to the thread by AeoleanDave -- and the link he shared in his post.



http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?14943

 

[hooverboy81]

Thanks Fred!

That was the one I couldn't think of!

 

[truckerx]

Sounds like a good solution - basically bleach but of the oxygenated type and perhaps gentler than chlorine.
Would be interested in knowing how this works out for you guys.

 

[ryan1994jeep]

Westey's Bleche White-- It is a tire cleaner, but I use it on headlight's and you can see it taking off all the oxidation. Altho I'm not sure if it would harm plastic from the 1950's. I also use it when I shine up my vacuum's.


I usually buy it at Wal-Mart-- In the car wash section!

 

[sebo_fan]

I dont know why I'm thinking WD40, but I am! I can recall using this on my Senior many years ago and the yellowness came off quite easily. There is also another product that may well come to mind soon!

 

[hooverboy81]

Thank you

Thanks guys for all the advice! I'm most likely going to buy all of the products, and try each of them on a different lens. I know it's not a HUGE deal, and does not affect the machine's performance, I would just like them to look as "new" as possible! I don't know why, but it seems the 29-64 series Hoover Dirt Finder lenses yellowed worse than any other cleaner I have from the 50's. Forgive the quality of the photo, but this is the lens that is bothering me the most! My 1947 Model 61 lens is crystal clear..It's also probably a different plastic than the other ones. Thanks again for all of the good advice and tips! I'll let you know how it turns out!

 

[hoovercelebrity]

I think the lens in the model 61 is glass. Not 100% sure, though.

 

[hooverboy81]

Xantham Gum

I cannot find this locally! When I called a local pharmacy, the pharmacist replied "Why would you want that stuff?' lol. Any online retailers?

 

[james]

I buy my Xantham Gum from ebay

 

[hooverboy81]

James

Thanks! Found it!

 

[hooverboy81]

Fred

No, It's clear plastic, but for some unkown reason it hasn't yellowed at all! It may have been replaced at some point on my 61. There are service dates on the bottom starting in 1954 and going all the way through 1989! So there's no telling.

 

[truckerx]

The model 61 lens was glass. Funny though, it seems that the 61 was the only Hoover model designed with a glass lens.
Good luck with your plastic lens yellowing problem. Hope it works out well for you.

 

[oreck_xl]

Wouldn't the model 60 have also been made with a glass lens? Are model 60's harder to find? Also, why was the handle release lever moved on the model 61?

- Hershel