Kirby Factory Rebuild

[dandagreer]

I know this topic has been discussed much here before, but I acquired a 513/514/515 from a little old lady's estate who passed away here in Nashville several months ago. It's pretty tired; spent many decades in a hoarded basement and, while I'm capable of rebuilding it myself, sending it off to Kirby for a complete rewire/sandblast/polish would make my life a lot easier--and well worth the $350+. I know it will come back tan-i-fied, but I have reserve trim pieces I can replace the tan with, and I've even used proper painting techniques to mimic the vintage stuff.

Problem is, somehow over the years, the serial number plate was lost off the bottom of the fan chamber. Will the Kirby factory even consider a model that doesn't have a serial number? If not, does anyone have a 513/14/15 fan chamber WITH a serial number they'd be willing to sell?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

dandagreer

David,

I did see a Kirby Classic 1CR get rebuilt without its original serial number. The new nameplate would say "NO TAG" where the serial number would be printed.

~Ben

 

[dandagreer]

YES

Perfect; thank you Ben. I didn't even want to reach out to Kirby if they wouldn't take it right off the bat with no serial number.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

If you are willing to pay the going rate of 350 for a rebuild, they really should not care what it is, as long as it is a whole Kirby.

The time not having a serial number tag would be bad is if you were the original owner with original manual/proof of purchase and you were wanting the rebuild for the now-low rebuild price listed in the owner's manual. For my mom's original D50, it would have cost only $50 or so but all identification would have to be present and legible.

350 is a lot to spend but it will be like a new machine to last many more decades. I have seen some sweet work from their rebuilds but personally disliked the non-original trim colors and good metal fans replaced with plastic.

If you go this route, post some before and after pics - would be fun to compare them!

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

If you sent me $350 I'd make it own. The vacuum has not a large surface area to polish. I know you could do it. If you spend a little money upgraded buffer or whatever. I seen that vacuum you got the bag from me for. It's a nice machine.
I'm not a huge fan of everything sanitronic color.
If you got the money and you want to go ahead.
If you get her children to verify who they are. Basically telling Kirby I'm the dead ladies daughter/son and they sold you the vacuum Kirby might be able to look up her name and know the model and rebuild plate would have a model number on it. I'd try it but I'm not you.
Long post best of luck keep us updated.
Les

 

[madman]

If they change the trim out for a different color.... why not just take the trim off and keep it while the rebuild it? I mean, they're just throwing it away anyway, right?

 

[dandagreer]

Replies

@texaskirbyguy I don’t like the tan-i-fied versions of what they return either, but I have got a good technique for painting trim pieces that looks good. So, they could do the heavy lifting, and I just work on the cosmetics.

@lesinutah I’m not trying to use the lady’s family I got it from. I intend to pay full price for it. Because there are some wiring issues with the rotten safety switch and all, I know I could do it, but I would enjoy seeing what they could do, and me just worry about making it look as original as possible after they’re done.

@madman I’ve read here that you have to send them a complete machine. Whatever you don’t send in they charge you extra for. So I will make sure to send my most terrible and mismatched pieces and keep the good original trim I have to swap out with when it comes back.

 

[lesinutah]

Dave

I never said use the family. If you knew about the rebuild you would know.
If you are not original owner you can't get rebuild.
I said use them as a reference to give to kirby so your rebuild plate will have a model number. That is all I meant. Was just mentioning an option most people are not aware of.
I'm not ruthless heatless sole. I'm knowledge blunt and helpful.
Les

 

[rodknock95]

Les

If you are the original owner you get a big discount on the rebuild...If you are not the original owner, then it is a flat 350 bucks. I called them on one of my Traditions to get a price.

Blaze

 

[panasonicvac]

Hi Dave

Please do share your experiences including the before and after pictures when you do send your Kirby in to get it factory rebuilt. I have a model 509 that Kirby is willing to rebuild and would very much like to see how yours will turn out before I send mine in.

Thanks!

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

I've called Kirby and inquired about a rebuild. I then seen threads on the sanitronic color on the 510. I did rebuild myself if you look at my profile pic. I spent well over $500 as everything I wanted original and power switch, hood, nozzle screws, black brush cap screws, height adjuster, rear axle, bearings, baffle etc. I wanted parts from 3 amp machine so it was costly.
Pic 9 is Mike baldos machine.
Pic 10 my model 3c
11 505 original bag and my bag next to it
12 my 1945 model 505 with belt cap
13 505 cap and 508 belt lifter
14 all original 509 with custom bag
Sorry for pics just thought some would like to see.
The 510 bag Paul now owns.
Les

 

[rodknock95]

Black Diamond

Whats that Black Diamond thing?

 

[lesinutah]

Cool

Chicago Mike ska Mike baldos built it. It's powder coated. It's one of the coolest Kirby's I've seen. He recently sold the 505 from last year's convention for$1650. I know Kent oyler or kirbyneeds on eBay sold his for a little more.
Les

https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?29048

 

[craig_1982]

Black Diamond

I brought the Black Diamond a few years ago and had it shipped here to England it's the nicest looking Kirby In my collection and probably the world in my Opinion! it's immaculate I only use it from time to time and keep it separate from the rest of my collection stored safely covered up in my wardrobe.

 

[kirbysthebest]

As was mentioned before

The Kirby Agreement to Rebuild Plan is for the original purchaser. Under that plan they agree to rebuild the machine as long as it remains in the possession of the original purchaser for a set fee. Example the Omega was $49.50 + shipping & Handling.

Kirby's refurbishment is still open for all Kirby owners regardless of original ownership for a fee, last I heard it was the $350. It is always advisable to contact Kirby's refurbishment/rebuild department for a quote and instructions on packing and sending your machine to them.

It states on the rebuild agreement that missing or broken parts will be replaced at an extra charge, but I have heard of several that have kept their bags and trim, as this is a normally replace item during the rebuild anyway.

 

[dandagreer]

Next Steps

Well, I reached out to Kirby via their "contact us" link over the weekend, and someone called me this morning stating that the rebuild will cost $350 + shipping both ways and that my Kirby will be returned to me as if brand new from the factory. She also said it would take 40-50 business days for the work.

So, once I get back from vacation next week, I think I'm going to move forward. I've cobbled together a bunch of mismatched parts that I don't mind getting rid of to send back so that the unit is "complete."

I will snap some pics of my frankenkirby before I send it off, then I'll post the after glamour shots once it returns.

 

[rivstg1]

dandagreer

I think your approach of just using spare parts on the machine you'll send it vs the original is genius !!!! I REALLY want to see and hear your take on their end result that you'll receive. I've heard vastly different tales of the 'quality' of the restoration work. Widely different each one.
K

 

[pr-21]

Kirby 505 Rebuilt from Kirby Rebuild Dept

Here is my rebuild from Kirby.  Probably 10 years ago....or so. They will tell you


the trim color,  it will come back in.....I think mine was $300 plus back then.


 


 


PR-21


Bud

 

[dandagreer]

Well, I did a thing

I've already contacted Kirby and they're sending me a mailing address to send back the unit. I had already assembled a 513-15 model (tag missing), to send back, but, I went and found this on eBay.

Paid too much for it, but I really wanted a 505.

So, Ima wait for this one to come to me, then it's going off the Kirby for a full restore. Then, I will paint the trim and such to make it look as original as possible - maybe even a KirbyMike reproduction bag! So excited!

 

[rivstg1]

very cool that you got the attachments and hose! I"m envious!

 

[lesinutah]

Hmm

The hose is not from 513. It's a 505 or earlier hose.
The 505 looks like yours
The 508 is either grey or tan colored cloth kind of follows color scheme of bag and belt lifter.
The 508-512 is grey colored but not sure if it's cloth or not
513 I believe is grey rubber matching grey wheels.
Mike's 513 and 519 bags are better than Kirby's bags. I'm not a huge fan as they fade easily. Having a new vacuum with a new non faxed bag and painted wheels. It will look better than rolling off assembly line.
It will also have a new strong motor, coil and bearings. You may have your eye on a 505 but this will turn heads just the same.
Les

 

[dandagreer]

@Les

The Kirby in the pic is a 505 that was rebuilt by Kirby in 1971. I intend to send that one back (instead of the 513-15 I was thinking of earlier) so they can rebuild it a SECOND time, 49 years later, then I will un-tan it and try to make it look as original a 505 as I can. I'm really excited to get it off to Kirby!

 

[huskyvacs]

I like having things original too, so I always hated OEM or "Vacuum Store Dave" rebuilds, as it bugs me about the mismatched parts. I'd rather put my own time and labor into learning to repair and recondition that I can oversee and know is tip-top than mailing it off.

I have a 1980's rebuilt Kirby 500 series and they trashed the model tag and all the parts are that ugly peachy mauve color and it looks terrible. I'd love to find a original 500 series someday.

I know it's for liability protection that they have to change the color on purpose so people don't start a racket of "original new old stock" rebuilds, but it still sucks.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

huskyvacs

Wow... never knew that about their rebuild policy and the changing over of trim pieces!

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

The 505 I got rebuilt from the Plano Texas store look identical except it had the 505 belt lifter. If you send 505 and trim it yourself your going to have your holy Grail vac.
The 505 bag was duvetyne. I've read people question duvetyne durability. Duvetyne was used for black out curtains at movie theatres. It's very thick material. It's also 3 times as much as other fabrics.
Mike's 4c 505 bag is same material as the bag I sold you of his. If you have the money get his bag. The shape is hard to get unless you have a 505 bag. The screen print is 13-17 inches 4-5 inches wide. I prices it out. I made bags but not screen print.
Long winded speech basically buy Mike's bag it's spot on.
I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's done because you do great trim work.
Les

 

[dandagreer]

Letter From Kirby

I got the official letter today from Kirby outlining the cost for my 505 rebuild. The paper says 513, because originally, that was what I was going to send in. I called them today and gave them my credit card number instead of mailing this form back in.

The letter had a dot-matrix printed return label enclosed to send the envelope back. It's funny to me how, through this whole process, everything has been old-school--phone calls, physical letters in the mail--no emails or online forms here!

The Kirby rep I spoke with in the rebuild department said, "You're going to be so pleased. It will look like new!" Indeed. I'm excited!

I managed to find a 505 nozzle with belt lifter on eBay. So, once I get my 505 back from Kirby, I can swap out the belt lifter.

They've had my unit for exactly one week, so their turn around time, considering everything was done by snail-mail, has been pretty good. We'll see how long it takes to get my machine back now.

 

[huskyvacs]

One thing about Kirby rebuilds is their polishing skills are on point. Do not put it in the sunlight or you will go blind! I wish I could get a job at their refurb center, then I could learn to polish up my own! I already have a bench grinder/buffer combo and the compound sticks, just need the skill.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I hope you took lots of pics BEFORE!!!

I've seen their work. It is amazing, although not my favorite vac. Were you ever there at Kirby? I was . It was VERY interesting.

 

[kirbyg6]

Cool can’t Waite to see what it looks like when it’s done I think it will be amazing