Kirby Model 4C

[mivintagevacs]

Thank you, I’ve really enjoyed your site David! I will be careful with the bag. I will vacuum it out and use a damp cloth if needed as you’ve suggested. It seems to be in good shape under that thick layer of dust. I wonder how many years it has been sitting in storage.I’ll get it cleaned up this weekend for a better look at condition.

 

[odavid123]

Can’t wait to see it all cleaned up !

 

[kirbylux77]

Ben, good luck on the restoration. And yes, like ODavid said, let's see those before and after pics after the restoration is complete please

 

[vacuumheaven05]

Note

If someone else wants it more than me that's perfectly fine. Be careful with cleaning the bag, do not wash it, the cloth is fine and it could bleed or tear apart if washed. For cleaning the bag, I'd recommend vacuuming it out and or dry cleaning it. I wouldn't want the logo to fade out. Nice Find!

 

[mivintagevacs]

I spent some time cleaning up the 4C and all of its accessories. It’s a lot of fun seeing it come back to life. I would still like to take the motor unit apart to lubricate the bearings and do some polishing but it shows quite well as-is. I’d also like to rebuild the brush roll or find a replacement. The bristles are badly damaged on one side. Here are some photos of it after a good cleaning. When I was emptying the bag I found a vintage gum wrapper, a $150 jewelry price tag and several small pieces of a broken bracelet or other jewelry. Amazing the wrapper made it through the fan unscathed and was preserved in the bag for all of those years!

 

[mivintagevacs]

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[mivintagevacs]

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[mivintagevacs]

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[mivintagevacs]

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[mivintagevacs]

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[mivintagevacs]

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[mivintagevacs]

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[human]

Yeah, that thing scrubbed up pretty well.

 

[kwalsh97214]

Congratulations

Very nice work - your 4C looks great.

 

[odavid123]

Just beautiful! Great job cleaning her up . Very rare unit you have there take good care of it

 

[mivintagevacs]

Thanks guys! I’m really pleased with how the bag cleaned up without having to wash it. I thoroughly vacuumed it inside and out and wiped the outside with a damp cloth. Now it’s allowed to come inside the house

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

Job on the cleaning up of your 4c. I bought a 505 that is almost identical to the 4c except the emtor is plastic instead of me t al.
It does show well enjoy.

 

[vacmadman]

Nice

Well done your 4C looks great. One thing I would have done differently is paint the belt cap logo with flat red paint, not gloss. Yours has the bag clip cover those are very rare and hard to find. Wonderful 4C. Thanks for sharing.

Jim[this post was last edited: 8/15/2024-10:07]

 

[mivintagevacs]

Thank you Jim, your 4c looks great too! I did not do any painting or touch up on this. That belt cover is all original. I’m thinking the red lettering on yours may have lost its shine, faded and would have been a glossy deeper red like mine originally. Beautiful machine!

 

[vacmadman]

Ben,

thanks for your kind words. All belt caps and belt lifter logos were painted using flat red or flat grey paint not gloss. Pictured is a collection of belt caps and belt lifters. All logos are done in flat paint. Also pictured is my 505 with original belt lifter. Note the first belt cap in picture one is from a Kirby 2C and the logo was done in flat paint. Yours may have been painted in the past. Picture three shows my 4C before I restored it, note the flat paint logo.

Jim