Kirby Model 4C Restore

[myvacsrock]

This was a big undertaking. Gorgeous machine in the end I feel

 

[myvacsrock]

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[justjunque]

You do beautiful work!

 

[heritage-ii_fan]

Polishing

Nice work! It looks amazing!

My question is what do you use to polish the aluminum. I have a few Kirby's that really need a good polish and scratch removal. Any suggestions will help!

Josh

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

I'm almost done with my 505. I'm going to have free time just need to clean the inner motor housing and nozzle housing.
He uses a milwaukee m12 polisher or drill and mothers mag.
Great job on everything you do amazing work.

 

[myvacsrock]

Re polishing

Many people have asked, and I know I have posted written instructions in the past…but maybe some photos will help those.

I use a wet sanding method, which is the only way to truly achieve smooth and CLEAR polish results.

Pre-sanding:
Wipe everything down with all purpose cleaner
I personally go over all surfaces with 0000 steel wool to remove surface tarnish and sticky dirt before sanding, so I am not sanding grit into my metal.
Then I vacuum off all the loose wool/dirt and wipe down with 90% rubbing alcohol.

Wet sanding. Fill your glad container with a dash of dawn/water at whatever temp you please:
400 (if rough/ragged/gouges) Spending a good amount of time here with moderate pressure.
800 (I start here if it is fairly smooth/good condition) Spending the most amount of time with 800, even if I did not start with this level. It will remove your 400 grit swirl marks in the metal
1000 spending the next most amount of time here achieving a very smooth surface and getting out the last of the tarnish
1500 continuing to smooth, and achieving the first step of clarity
2000 additional clarity

Now bring out your mothers polish and 0000 steel wool. Lots of elbow grease here to get out the last of the swirl marking from the sanding.
After going over everything with steel wool, slather extra mothers on your metal

Bring out your (in my case) hand held buffer with a wool pad. Make sure it is clean with no grit.
Go over it once, twice, three times, whatever you need.

Buff off black tar with your microfiber and enjoy your new finish.

FAQs:

No, foam pads don’t work for this, must be wool pads

Can I use a buffing wheel? Probably… i don’t have the space for one, and this works just great for me.

 

[heritage-ii_fan]

myvacsrock

Is that a drill with a polisher head? or an actual polisher? Thank you!!!!

 

[vacmadman]

As always

You did a wonderful job on that old girl Kyle. I love the video you posted on YouTube. Keep up the great work! Question, did you use a 2C light cap on this 4C?

Jim

 

[dysonman1]

You do amazing work Kyle. So glad to see someone take a real interest in restoring these works of engineering art.