The Kenmore High Desert Restoration Center had to put in a hard weekend to clear a back log of outstanding projects.
The first is a 1983 Kenmore 4.1 canister with infinitely variable motor speed via a dial on the left rear corner of the bag chamber lid, and the off/on/floor switch is on the hose. There is no off/on switch on the vacuum body, making it's hose especially valuable. This is a rare vacuum that was purchased by the Directors family when the Powermate for the Avocado Bomber failed and the family erroneously viewed it as beyond economic repair. The Powermate was thrown out and the A-B condemned to garage duty for the next three decades.
This 4.1 was badly age yellowed. Before the center knew about Retrobrite they tried a different process to clean the yellowing but doing so did some damage to the texture of the vacuum. The center tried several methods to restore the texture including media blasting but these efforts failed. In a stroke of very good luck the center discovered during the restoration of another vacuum a Rustoleum product that exactly matches the original color of the plastic on those vacs. You could not color match paint and come up closer. Shooting this paint dry, meaning fogging it on from a distance so it doesn't flow but instead goes on rough, restored the texture and appearance of the vacuum body.
The bag chamber lid was treated yesterday with Retrobrite with excellent results. The Retrobrite has no effect on the lid graphics, something the center considered a real nail biter. The center was sensitive to keeping as much of the vac original as possible. It still has a few whoopies from more than three decades of use, but not many. A few scratches on the lid from the tool holder, some marks on the rear feet from standing it on end to dust high shelves, but the motor compartment cover shined up so nice and had only a single small scratch, the center decided to leave it original (saving the wiring diagram on the inside in the process). The motor was not disturbed, the motor compartment was cleaned with the motor in situ. The center also usually replaces the original cover screws with stainless steel parts, but the originals on this vac were so nice they were reused.
The cord reel was given a shot of Tri-Flow Teflon lubricant to restore function (another recent discovery by the center, a little squirt of lube at the pivot of these old cord winders often loosens them up and lets them rewind properly), a cloth soaked in acetone was run the length of the cord to clean it and the cord and winder are good as new.
The center is waiting on a shipment of black open cell foam to re-foam the pre-motor filter grid. For now the center has placed Electrolux bulk filter media in the filter housing to protect the motor. Exhaust filtration is non-standard as well. The original filter does not last and is not washable and reusable as these are.
A cloth HEPA bag intended for a Numatic Henry fits the Kenmore spout but the bottom of the cardboard holder has to be bent back to allow the red back holder to seat fully in it's slot. Using HEPA bags keeps these vacuums clean inside when they are used, and this one will be as it is one of the centers favorite vacuums. Only the lack of availability of hoses for these vacs with the necessary switch on the hose end keeps the center from using this as a daily vacuum.
Enjoy the photos. The last image was the post maintenance check with the centers Hayden brush (this vacs Powermate needs a new motor - again!). Hoses are stored laid out straight on the floor when not used.
Comes to the Rescue!
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