Molly's Makeover

[tennblondie78]

Meet Molly Mixmaster. She came from the wrong side of the tracks and had the damage to prove it. I took her in, showed her some love and turned her into an Uptown Girl. Now she mixes for the white bread world. (Can you tell I'm a Billy Joel fan? 

) Here are pictures of her when she came to me:

 

[tennblondie78]

You should never ask a woman her age, but I couldn't help but notice she was dated March 11, 1953. Her insides looked 61 years old, too! It took a while to get all of the old grease out of her. 

 

[tennblondie78]

She was full of carbon dust!

 

[tennblondie78]

The motor wires were originally connected with crimp on sleeves. I soldered them when I put her back together. You can also see the switch in the second and third pics.

 

[tennblondie78]

Here she is all apart... I don't understand why this pic uploaded upside down...

 

[tennblondie78]

I sanded the body down smooth and cleaned it thoroughly. I then sprayed 3 coats of Ballet Slipper Pink on her. 

 

[tennblondie78]

Time to put Molly back together again!!! It takes a bit of finesse to get those motor windings back down in the case just right. I may or may not have said a few words during this...

 

[tennblondie78]

Next up is the armature and brushes. I chucked the armature up in the drill and have it a good cleaning. I smoothed the sharp edges of the grooves with a nail file so they wouldn't chip the brushes. Those speed nuts will also cause a round of R rated speech as well... *Innocent whistling*

 

[tennblondie78]

Time for a little letter painting. I used white appliance paint and painted over the letters. After they were dry I used acetone and q-tips to remove it. I painted the Sunbeam just for fun.

 

[tennblondie78]

Here she is!!! All dolled up and ready to go another 61 years. I love how the pink and black looks together. 

 

[norgeway]

You Did!

An absolutely perfect job...BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

[mistereric]

Wow! Thats a lovely machine. I should send my Model 12 to you for a refurb! Question - Did you remove all the grease or just clean out most of it and replace it? I've been thinking about using a solvent to dissolve it all and then replacing it with new. Also considering replacing the gasket, but would have to custom make one. Thoughts?

 

[tennblondie78]

Thanks!!

I soaked the gear head in paint thinner for 24 hours and then blew it all completely out with an air compressor. I replaced it with high temp grease. The gasket still seemed in good shape, so I left it alone.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

What a beautiful job Stephanie! Really does look sharp in pink! I have the same model but in chrome that I have been wanting to rebuild. Thanks for all the pictures!

 

[roto204]

Stunning!!

How did you do the decal? That looks amazing!!

 

[rp2813]

Fabulous!

That is a shining example of a very thorough restoration.  I know you and Molly are going to enjoy working together for many years to come.

 

Just beautiful!

 

[bluejay]

Wow! What an awesome job!

 

[redcarpetdrew]

*innocent whistling*indeed...

You did warn me you had a attachment to pink. I almost wondered if you'd have done the raised Sunbeam logo on Moly's nose in glitter.

Ducking!

Just a superb job and definitely one to be proud of! I'll catch up with you later today to directly relay my admiration for a restore done on a master's level!

Drew

 

[frigilux]

Pretty In Pink! Great job, Stephanie! It could pass for new-in-box.

 

[pulltostart]

Good Golly (or should I say Molly)!

Julia Roberts would be envious of the transformation.  The pink/black is stunning.  And I'm with misteric, I should send you my mother's Mixmaster Junior for a restoration job.

 

A stunning job and love the photos documenting the process.

 

lawrence

 

[tennblondie78]

Nate

That is a water transfer decal from Nelsonezy.com. You have to clear coat over it after you apply it or it will come back off when it gets wet. That's the only place I have found the Mixmaster Junior decal. I wish it were a vinyl decal, but I looked at the one on my chrome Junior and it looks like they were originally water transfer when new. I need to restore my chrome one, as well. I have a few extra decals for the Junior. If anyone would like one, send me a message. I'll save you the $15.

 

[tennblondie78]

Drew...

Glitter!!! I didn't think of that!! I should just turn it into a Hello Kitty version while I'm at it. LOL! Actually, I did think about painting the Sunbeam script on the front black. I worried it might be too much, though. It would be hard to undo if I didn't like it. Should I paint it black or leave as is? One thing I forgot to mention earlier is that I replaced the cord. It's hard to find a replacement cord small enough to fit the opening. I VERY carefully drilled the opening out just large enough to fit the new cord before painting.

 

[mattl]

Great job!

As for the Sumbeam logo on the front I vote for white, would make a nice accent.

I'm on the hunt for a mixmaster and may redo it in yellow, you gave me the push I needed to mentally commit to it. Could you elaborate on what you did to the rotor? I've read of others putting it in a drill and what - lightly sanding? I've never worked much with motors, electronics is more my thing so this will be a learning experience.

Now, if the eBay seller I bought from actually ships my mixer I'd be all set, but I have a hunch I'll have to file a claim...

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Not all that glitters is... Pink?

Keep the glitter on the shelf, Kiddo. Maybe the next pink Mixmaster Junior. I agree with the above, IF you decide to mess with perfection, it should be white or maybe black but for now, revel in a awesome job. I have a vintage Mixmaster 7N stand mixer that you've given me ideas on. I've been meaning to do something with it but wasn't quite sure where to start. I, too, would be interested if you would expand on what you did with the windings and the drill please! Enquiring minds must know.

Drew

 

[goatfarmer]

Another FANTASTIC job!

 

[turquoisedude]

Wow, Stephanie, that's a beautiful restoration that you did!  Thanks for posting the step-by-step pictures, too!  I have a couple of Juniors in the 'mixer mausoleum' that need new cords and I've never quite had the knack of replacing them - these photos are going to be viewed a lot, trust me!!

 

Here's to a long and happy mixing career for Molly!!

 

PS - still on the hunt for more beaters... 

 

[revvinkevin]

 

Wow Steph, you never cease to amaze me!   Great job on the mixer!

 

Now the next question is: are you going to start a little side business and do restorations for others?  

 

Kevin

 

[tennblondie78]

It's nothing special with the armature. I just use the drill to spin it while I hold sandpaper or a coarse Scotchbrite pad against it. The drill is just a cheat that makes it much easier easier and quicker. Just sand until it's clean and shiny and most of the wear grooves are out. You most likely won't be able to get it completely smooth because it would remove too much surface. Make sure after you sand the armature that you go back with a emery board or something similar and lightly sand the edges of the grooves to remove the sharp edges. If you don't there's a risk of the brushes getting chipped. I actually wouldn't mind restoring for other people, but it would scare me to death. I would be too afraid they wouldn't be happy with it.

I was only joking about the glitter!!!!!!!

 

[firedome]

Well...

if they came out anything like that, they'd be over the moon! Stupendous job! and that Pink is to die for, now I need to find one to go with our pink '56 Hotpoint range!!

 

[joelippard]

Now that is a mighty fine restoration!