Thread Number: 44611  /  Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
A Constellation Celebration!
[Down to Last]

Vacuumland's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate vacuumland.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 463843   6/14/2023 at 20:55 (337 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture

Back in 2016 Arlee found a Model 444 Hoover Constellation at Goodwill for $7.99!

It has sat in a corner of our hallway on display pretty much ever since then, rarely taken out to use. I do most of the vacuuming and prefer to use one of my Electroluxes.

The other day he decided to use it. We discovered, to our horror, that LoLo had been using it for target practice. Half of the base had become deeply rusted and corroded. I decided to do the best I could to remedy that unsightly mess.

I went to Lowe’s with the handle to get a paint match. An employee in the paint department showed my several cans of paint, until he found Rustoleum Professional High-Performance Enamel #7570 Almond – literally a perfect match. You can see for yourself in the photo of the handle lying on top of the base. (I didn’t paint the handle.)

I wire-brushed as much of the rust and corrosion as I could from the base, using the Kirby Handi-Butler with flexible shaft. Some of the corrosion was so deep that it just wouldn’t come out.

Overall, the base came out really nice. I gave the entire machine a clean-and-polish.

I decided to get out my Constellation, a Model 454. It’s in beautiful condition; all I had to do was give it a quick going-over with Jubilee Kitchen Wax.

I also used to have a model 853, the yellow and tan model that’s tilted downward. I’ve always liked the way that looks and I toyed with modifying my 454 to make it tilt. It would be a simple alteration but decided against it.


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 20         View Full Size
Post# 463853 , Reply# 1   6/15/2023 at 02:54 (337 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)        
Excellent Work Charles!

hygiene903's profile picture
It's beautiful, and I agree, the paint is a perfect match! And your 454 is a beauty too!
Jeff


Post# 463857 , Reply# 2   6/15/2023 at 09:44 (336 days old) by vacuumdevil (Vacuum Hell )        

vacuumdevil's profile picture
Wow that's amazing!

Post# 463915 , Reply# 3   6/16/2023 at 22:27 (335 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)        
That came out great...

human's profile picture
My experiences with a rattle can be very much hit-and-miss. That's not to say I can't get the paint to go where I want it, but getting a nice, smooth, even finish is next to impossible for me. The best I ever managed was painting an Electrolux PN4-A top cover with a Rustoleum hammertone finish paint and primer in one. Because it was designed to produce a textured finish, it was very forgiving and hid a world of sins. I always admire the skills of people who can lay down a perfectly flawless finish on a classic car. Of course, part of the secret to that is the fine wet sanding afterward. I have a step-cousin, who is very talented in that area, and loves doing it. Unfortunately, it bothers his asthma, so he can't do it full time.

Post# 464027 , Reply# 4   6/20/2023 at 15:45 (331 days old) by electrolux137 (Los Angeles)        

electrolux137's profile picture

There's a beautiful Model 853 Constellation on eBay right now. It's hard not to be tempted, other than the $300 buy-it-now price...



Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

Woops, Time to Check the Bag!!!
Either you need to change your vacuum bag or you forgot to LOG-IN?

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy