Kirby 1c Resto Done

[vacumaniac]

You may remember the sad looking 1c I picked up a few months back....

 

[vacumaniac]

Well here it is... back to glory!!!!! Just need to find a black cord now and black wheels!!!!

 

[vacumaniac]

closer look...

 

[henry200]

Fabulous restoration!

Congratulations Derek on a fine job.  You have a real treasure there!

 

[d-jones]

Great job on the bright work, Derek. What a remarkable difference between the before and after photos. I know some folks on this blog don't find Kirby vacuums to be the most practical to use, but there's no denying that they’re pretty to look at when all polished up. Thanks for sharing. By the way, I wonder if Hope might have some original black wheels. Considering the number of years she spent working on Kirby’s, it’s worth the trouble to ask.

 

[eurekastar]

Derek!  What an incredible job!!!  Well done! 

 

[vacu-finder]

nice job on the kirby

 

[kirbyvertibles]

awesome job!!
I have a vacuum friends that ALWAYS criticize me when I pick up a vac that looks this rough, I just can't get it through their head that you can make it beautiful again.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

If I stop by your house,

could you make ME look that good?? EXCELLENT JOB there,
John

 

[kirbylux77]

Derek, that Kirby looks BEAUTIUL now!!! You certainly took a sow's ear & turned it into a gem! Mind if I send some of my Kirby's to you?

Congrats on such a good job & being the proud owner of a rare Kirby in such beautiful shape! **MAJORLY Jealous**

Rob

 

[gsheen]

Wow that is an awesome job, Having just done my royal I know how long and what a messy job it is.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi Derek...

Hi Derek. You have done a Great job there)

It will look even better when you get the rest og the C series line up;o)

James)

 

[vinvac]

Amazing Derek!


 


I bet she purrs like a kitten!  You can't beat the style of those older Kirby's.  


 


Morgan

 

[blackheart]

Wow

Look at that shine hard to believe it once looked like it did, great work on it!

 

[vac-o-matic]

Congrats!

That will be the pinnacle of your Kirby collection, a beautiful specimen. You truly have a talent for restorations, and must have the patience of a saint! You should enter this into the best restoration category at the Milwaukee convention if you have the opportunity to come.

 

[vacumaniac]

Thanks to all for the kind words! One thought. Would you paint the wooden portion of the handle or leave it with the wear for character???

Thoughts?

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Being a purist,

I might leave it as is. But, that's me.
John.

 

[kirbykid]

thats weird. my 1c doesnt have a headlight.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

The...

Hi, The early version of the Kirby model C didn't have the headlight.
Hence why your don't have one Evan)

Derek I would paint the handle myself. But it depends what kind of finish you want for it)

 

[gsheen]

Paint it , it will look great 


 


Gareth 

 

[kirbyguy]

Kirby 1C renovation

Bravo to you Derek on your 1C Kirby rebuild. L@@ks GREAT.

 

[kirbyguy]

Derek

Perhaps a spray of black satin paint for the handel and cord hooks & then a wash & black dye job on the bag with a little fabric paint touch up on the bags red and gold stenceling?

Its still all original parts.

 

[kirby508]

Belt Lifter

How do you turn it, with brute strength?
Seems like you would get blisters doing so.

That is a really nice looking vacuum, a ton of work, well done!

 

[eurekastar]

@ Brian -- the 1C didn't have a belt lifter.  The cap simply provides access in order to lift the belt onto the pulley.  Kirby didn't introduce the "magic finger" (belt lifter) until the 505.  In fact, the early 505s did not have a belt lifter.  It was a late production item with the 505.


 


@ Derek, I would paint the handle.  But that's me.  My goal is always to make it look as new as possible.  But no matter what you do, it will still look amazing.  I know you're really proud!

 

[vacumaniac]

The Gamble.... Well I decided to paint the handle and cleanse the bag. Do not fret! I had reservatiosn about this but a very good friend of mine has a wife who owns a vintage clothing shop. She has a special process for cleaning fragile/delicate items. I was leery about the whole ordeal, especially with water getting into the cracks of the screen print, but she assured me that similar types of items have been done before this way, and it works great.

Well..... I think the risk paid off. What do you all think????

 

[gsheen]

That makes a huge difference.


 


I really lik ethat model Kirby, looks so good 


 

 

[vacumaniac]

Unfortunately, when I removed the black topper for the bag, it literally broke into pieces!!!!!

Have to keep my eye out for another, although they are hard to find...

Still worth it to have the bag looking much better!

 

[vacumaniac]

Ok... Even cleaner now. Bag fresh and handle blackned!

 

[kirbyguy]

Now that's one STUNNING Kirby.

Derek,

all I can say is its STUNNING and really has some bling now.

You've truly preserved a by gone era, of a beautifully piece of machinery.