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.

 

[brandon_w_t]

That is incredible!

I cant WAIT to see the completed machine!


You really have the most meticulous attention to detail when restoring these machines! They always come out looking better than new.

 

[aeoliandave]

Well sure, twin Brother by another Mother...


But do you have these?

 

[aeoliandave]

Not to give too much away but:

 

[aeoliandave]

Stunning - looks like a 2nd Prize winner!

Looking so forward to shaking your hand as we accept our First Place Ribbons.

Seriously Rick, I know precisely what you're going through.

I had only one original red motor filter and it was rotted away from mouse pee and nestings, as was the metal screen underneath.

So I made them from spare found parts as close to original as feasible. There's not one out of period modern part on my entry. Unless you count the gold lid inlet...and that's sheet tooling brass.

 

[revooh]

Gee Golly Gosh !!!

I knew you were talented Rick but good grief, I had no idea how much talent you. You did a beautiful job on that bag buddy. Ever thought about starting a home business making replacement vacuum bags? LOL. I am totally amazed at what you did and do. Best on your next project !!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim

 

[aeoliandave]

Oh, the lengths to which we'll go for a scrap of shiny Rayon Ribbon...

 

[aeoliandave]

The lid insert panel was completely delaminated, warped, bent and deformed from moisture.
Fortunately the gold foil label and gray paper backing was mostly intact, though somewhat crumpled having fallen away from the lid.
I reglued the torn sections, steam ironed it as flat as possible then went to work re-laminating it's layers. The section over the vent holes was torn away so a new look was needed.

 

[crevicetool]

Thanks for the compliments Kenneth, Brandon, and Jim. It's not talent. It's patience, and I have been fortunate enough to have been exposed to a lot of different things in my life to help me complete these projects. I worked in the coatings industry for many years, knew people that owned automotive body shops, etc. I can sew - as long as things are not garments, but can - and have made seat covers for cars. Plus, I've collected a lot of tools! LOL!

Dave(KirbyLover) - E-mail me and I will share with you the answers that I know about having things re-chromed. [email protected]

Dave (Aeolian). Best of luck on your machine. I can tell you've put a lot of hours and hard work into your project. I won't be bringing any machines for any contests this year. I let time slip away from me, and was ill for about three weeks. I just got the upright hood back from the chrome shop and was so impressed by the job he had done, I wanted to share. But, I am pretty proud of the bag - and since the bag holder was part of the rechroming - what the heck! My machine is months away from completion. It's really the first one that I have documented all steps on digital media and hadn't posted in a while and actually had time to do it today.

Looks like you've got a winner there!!!!


Rick

 

[air-waycharlie]

Rick,
Very, very impressive. You have got a knack and a talent. Bet you could make a few bucks doing restorations for members.

Dave, (Aeolian)
Ditto as you are the twin! I'm looking forward to finally meeting you.

Charlie

 

[vac-o-matic]

Wow, you guys are amazing! Absolutely incredible talent, yes Rick, talent!