Hotpoint Aquarius 9528 Restoration

[hotandpointy]

Good morning, new member here with a few questions for the 95 series Hotpoint experts. As per the title of the thread, I am about to acquire a white/brown Aquarius 9528. The machine looks to be in good condition from the photographs, if a little grubby and 'used' looking. It's my intention to clean it up and then set about restoring and slightly modifying it, by respraying the metalwork in Almond; fitting brown side strips and replacing things such as the door seal, brushes and bearings if necessary. The other thing I would quite like to do is to change the door for the slightly earlier version with the door release lever on the outside of the trim (if that makes any sense). I notice that the door catch and hinge are different but it does seem from inspecting photographs that the older door type could be made to fit, as the front panel appears to have the same mounting holes for both types of hinge and catch. Would someone be kind enough to enlighten me as to whether this is the case? Thanks in advance xD.

 

[supermaticjames]

Good morning and welcome to the forum!

First of all, congrats on acquiring your first 95 series. I've had many pass through my hands over the last 5 years and I currently own four - a 95132, 9534, 9537 and most recently a top of the range 9560 Micro Profile 1300 De Luxe.

When you get your 9528 be careful when moving it as the fascias are very brittle on the 95 series and prone to shattering or snapping when you handle the machine by the front so handling the machine by the sides or the rear is advisable.

If you intend on painting the machine Almond, take a trip down to your local Halfords store and you should find a very close match. However, I'm curious as to why you want to paint it?

You will have trouble fitting sidestrips to it because the 9528 never had sidestrips from the beginning and therefore there are no holes punched in the sides of the front panel to facilitate fitting. I can say the same about your intention to fit a proud door to the machine. The front panels are slightly different between proud and flush door models. Furthermore, the interlocks and door seal are entirely different.

I hope this hasn't put you off, the 9528 is a decent machine so save it whilst it's still available. If you want to find a proud door Hotpoint you shouldn't have long to wait for one to turn up. Sticking a wanted advert on Gumtree helps.

Regards,

James

 

[hotandpointy]

Hi James, many thanks for the info, I'll definitely make a point of not manhandling the fascia on collection. I think my friend has access to a trolley so hopefully the clumsy handling will be kept to a minimum. The Almond paint is just a preference, as I think it looks much nicer with the brown trim than white, and it's a fairly easy job to complete. The inability to mod any further isn't a deal breaker though by any means; I just thought it might be fun to beautify the machine (at least to my tastes) as much as I can, seen as how it's my intention to have it as my primary machine for many years to come. I currently have an 8 year old Indesit WIB101 which has been totally reliable, and is still going strong; but if the bearings fail then it's junked due to the sealed tub preventing repair. The Hotpoints are infinitely repairable and quite easy to work on it would seem, not to mention full of character and made in Britain. You may have guessed, but I'm just a tad excited to get my hands on it and get crackin' xD.

Jae.

 

[supermaticjames]

Hi Jae,

I do agree that Almond looks better than White. I was going to suggest that you should look for a 9520 or 9524 in Almond because they are quite common, even more so than the 9528.

The 9528 is definitely a much better machine than the Indesit with sealed tubs and shoddy electronics that go wrong for no good reason. Here's hoping it arrives safely and that you enjoy it.

If you need any assistance you're welcome to add me on Facebook if you wish.

James

 

[hotandpointy]

I actually would've loved to find an 18680 or similar. My parents had one when I was very young; I remember staring into the drum, and all the noises associated with the GEC motor. Sadly it developed a fault (I think it started leaking all over the floor), and after a few years of handwashing, my parents finally bought a new machine and the Hotpoint was taken away . Funny the things that stick in your memory xD. But anyway, I digress; the reason for the 9528 is that it's quite literally the only one anywhere near me, and for next to no money (which is good because equally, I have next to no money!); it's actually spot on. I've trawled through eBay multiple times over the past few weeks along with Preloved, gumtree and loot but it really is the only one that's close; of nostalgic interest; and cheap. To be honest, I'm not as fussy as I might have made myself sound. As long as it looks the way my memory tells me it should look, and sounds the way I think it should sound, then I'll be jollier than the Roger with a hold full of Loot xD.
Thanks for the offer of assistance as well, I'll send you a friend request on facebook shortly. Whom should I search?

 

[supermaticjames]

Hi Jae,

Ah yeah, the 18 series were lovely machines but unfortunately they are not as common as they once were. I hope to find one someday, in particular I'd love one of the Liberators with the purple trim.

If you enter my email address (which can be found on my profile here) into the search box on Facebook you should be able to find me.

James