Chrome and cloth......

[crevicetool]

In the process of a restoration. Thought perhaps some may enjoy seeing what can be done with these old machines.

This is the first time I have had to do metal work that doesn't get covered with paint, so it had to be perfect. This vacuum hood had several pings and dents in it, as well as being covered in rust.



Before:

 

[crevicetool]

During:

 

[crevicetool]

Body work done by me. Re-chroming by my motorcycle shop guy.



After:

 

[kirbylover]

that looks AMAZING! How much does chrome plating normally cost? I'd almost like to chrome plate one of my Kirbys as it is such a pain trying to maintain bare aluminum.

 

[crevicetool]

This is the bag to the same machine. Obviously, could only be used as a "sort" of pattern.





Before:

 

[crevicetool]

Measurements made as best as possible, considering this machine had to have sat in a flooded basement.




During:

 

[crevicetool]

More:

 

[crevicetool]

More:

 

[crevicetool]

Selection of fabric and dying to match what little of the original color was present. The light colored patch is the "before" color:

 

[crevicetool]

Being that the fabric was a polyester blend, it required special dye and procedures:

 

[crevicetool]

Boiling:

 

[crevicetool]

Sewing, installing zipper, etc:

 

[crevicetool]

Making the badge strip:

 

[crevicetool]

Went with all-white lettering. The machine has no red on it, and thought I would simply make it match the headlight lens.

 

[crevicetool]

Manufacturing the bag's flexible tube and paper bag attachment snout:

 

[crevicetool]

Testing inflation:

 

[crevicetool]

Completed items side by side:

 

[crevicetool]

Back-side view:

 

[kenmore81]

Wow, amazing Rick. It looks original. I wish I had that kind of talent.