I now own a Kirby

VacuumLand – Vintage & Modern Vacuum Enthusiasts

Help Support VacuumLand:

Left 2 parts I believe are to the shampooer system. The far left fits on the suds o gun to disperse the soap, the one next to it I think is a connector for the tank? Unsure on that.
 
Never mind, I just saw you already found out what they are. The far right thing may not even be Kirby, just something the last owner threw in because it looks like something the vac might have come with. Like how my 508 attachment set wound up with a window screen cleaner from the 90s
 
Part 1 - sprayer nozzle for suds gun for shampooer

Part 2 - dispenser cup and cap for the shampoo tank

Part 3 - Air intake / safety cover for the motor intake when using the shampoo system

Part 4 - head and scalp massager / upholstery agitator / pet hair comb

Part 5 - Not 100% definitely sure on it, but it looks like part of the mounting plate for a kitchen sink faucet (see photos attached).

huskyvacs-2023030613590901155_1.jpg

huskyvacs-2023030613590901155_2.jpg
 
Hey, Husky,

LOL. It sure does look like that faucet mounting plate!
I was so busy trying to figure out what kind of vacuum part it was, that would have never even crossed my mind!
 
You

Got everything and part of a kitchen sink.
I attached a link for a power nozzle with trim that looks original . The belt liftervyou could swap around as needed. My 3rd kirby and my first g series. I did a complete overhaul brand new everything.
In think there might be different gears or something for the transition to fix slipping with tech drive that's common on g3 and g4.
Great pickup.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1750039063...iSVRhZiQfi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
 
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
The massage cup.

This is certainly not new; it goes back to the late 1940's. Nor is it exclusively Kirby. I know that Filter Queen also had one, and I think Air-Way. Don't think Electrolux had one, but I could be wrong.

The part with the screen was exactly what I thought, the cap to turn the sprayer into the suds-o-gun, and the cap to the rug renovator tank. It's a measuring cap, designed to hold the right amount of Kirby suds. The rug renovator goes back to the late 1950's or early 60's I'm guessing the Dual Sanitronic or the D-80. Incidentally the only green Kirby and sold when avocado green was all the rage.

I can tell you that both the massage cap and inflator/deflater were placed atop the main box at the start of the demo and had the customers shaking their heads as to what they were. And as I said, the Handi-Butler was designed for the husband who saw great potential of power tools for the workshop. Right, if he could get the Kirby away from the wife long enough. But it did a lot to sell the Kirby.
 
Avocado green . . .

Hi Alex,

You mentioned in your post the popularity of avocado green back in the day. Yes, it was everywhere: carpets, appliances, the DS80, and anywhere else. Yep, I owned an avocado green refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer, dryer. All served me well and are now retired and replaced. Ever since I saw a DS80, I liked the looks of it and wanted one. So, several years ago Kent Oyler hooked me up with one. It is one of my all-time favorites among my other Kirbys. Incidentally, the original model did not sport the bank on the back of the handle. Kent added one for me and painted it to match the green. Perhaps if Kirby is still in business later, they may consider putting green on a future model. Green is coming back in paint color, furniture, and clothing.

jscarlato-2023030711153400045_1.jpg

jscarlato-2023030711153400045_2.jpg

jscarlato-2023030711153400045_3.jpg

jscarlato-2023030711153400045_4.jpg

jscarlato-2023030711153400045_5.jpg

jscarlato-2023030711153400045_6.jpg
 
Kirby G4 . . .

This thread began with a discussion of the Kirby G4. The G4 is a favorite of mine. I like the dark gray color and style of the motor housing (like the G3). The mini emptor is replaced with a more updated one, and I added a better brushroll. This Kirby cleans very well. I use it often.

jscarlato-2023030711452803752_1.jpg

jscarlato-2023030711452803752_2.jpg

jscarlato-2023030711452803752_3.jpg

jscarlato-2023030711452803752_4.jpg

jscarlato-2023030711452803752_5.jpg
 
Question

Was the paint Kent used the SEM paint?.
I had him paint a few things for me.he used SEM paint.
 
Yes . . .

I believe he did use this paint. At the time, if I remember correctly, he told me this paint worked well with that plastic part.

Joe
 
I've just started to give it a little cleaning.
A little wipe-down with Simple Green, for starters. I also got rid of the full bag, and vacuumed the inside of the outer bag.
I sure wish I lived near one of the Kirby masters. Even though I got this ol' girl for free, I'd love for it to look its absolute best. Without stripping it down completely, and machine polishing, that's never going to happen.
I used a metal polish that I've gotten good results with in the past; just in a small, inconspicuous area. It gives it a little more shine, but it doesn't touch the blotches in the finish that look sort of like liver spots or something.
I'll have to settle for getting it "better", but not great. And, despite my lack of knowledge and skills, I'm a perfectionist. So, of course, as I'm wiping it down, I'm seeing all the little details that I'd like to improve.
I now feel like it needs all four wheels replaced, as opposed to just the rears. Maybe a new headlight lens, etc.
And, sure...those are affordable, and easy enough to replace. But, I'm still going to focus on the tarnished aluminum.
I don't know if Mother's would do a better job. Seems like a lot of people highly recommended it. Or, since I have to settle for just hand polishing, without a full disassembly, I'd probably still just get mediocre results.
Also, I've discovered a couple of places where there's a small hole in the plastic parts, and I don't know if there's supposed to be screws in them. I'll try to take a couple of pictures and post them.

Barry
 
Yes, there are supposed to be screws in those locations.
Mothers mag and aluminum works great and can be found at many places.
Looks like you are off to a good start.
Take your time - you will learn a lot in this new adventure!
 
Those two screws frequently fall out. The one just above the Tech Drive pedal is exactly the same size as the ones on an electrical switch or outlet that hold the wires in place.

I've had pretty good results polishing my Kirbys with a combination of Mother's and Nev-r-dull wadding. I use some cheapo knockoffs of Scotch-Brite pads. I get them at the Dollar Tree and they're much softer than the genuine article and won't scratch the metal. I've also heard that #0000 steel wool is also a good choice for that purpose.
 
I've been looking at lots of pictures of G4s. I see the screw that goes right above the Tech Drive control. But, I haven't found a picture showing a screw in that piece on the side by the Em-tor. It looks like the cord is supposed to go under that piece. Mine is not. But that's easy enough to remedy.
Does anyone have a parts machine that they could spare the screw/screws from? I'd like to know that it's a correct screw, rather than trying to substitute something.
 
Yes, the cord should go under that little loop. My G3 has the same setup and it's a pain. The screw is supposed to hold the cord in place, but it doesn't do a very good job. They improved the design, beginning with the G5 by molding a tab onto the cord, which slips under the trim plate and is held in place by a screw.

The screws themselves are commodity items, available off the shelf at any hardware store. In a worst case scenario, you might need to cut a screw to the proper length. Just clamp it into a pair of Vice Grips with the part to be cut off sticking out the front, and then go to work with a hacksaw.
 
Back
Top