Mike, did your mom use it as I showed above, or with the polishing head in the "normal" position as it would be with the rug nozzle?
I am not sure why the instruction manual did not show the proper way to use the polishing head. This was demonstrated to me by an old-time, long-term Kirby man who had worked for the company since the early 1950s. He said that was the proper and intended way to do it. With the brush in the rug-nozzle position you do not get enough weight and pressure to heat and melt the wax. All it does is swish the wax around.
I have never actually seen anyone besides myself use a Kirby polisher so I am wondering how people did it, whether or not, you know, they were instructed by the salesman.