Kirby Rebuild Anyone?

[rodknock95]

Has anyone on here had their Kirby rebuilt from the Factory? I was quoted 350.00 plus shipping from Kirby to rebuild a Kirby Tradition. Was just curious if anyone had them rebuild anything of theirs?

Blaze

 

[vinvac]

Yes,

They do an excellent job. You will not regret having it done.

 

[rodknock95]

What do they do?

What do they replace and do you get your old stuff back?

 

[human]

I've never had it done to one of mine, but I understand the rebuild is pretty comprehensive. What you get back is essentially a brand new machine. They go through and rebuild the motor, replace the outer bag and all the worn plastics (if they no longer stock plastics in your model's original color, you'll get generic gray/black plastics instead), and polish up the aluminum to a scratch-free, mirror shine. All that said, I doubt they send you your old parts back. If there are things you'd want to keep, better remove them before sending it in.

 

[pr-21]

I have had two Kirby's rebuilt from the factory. A Kirby Classic  and a G5. I was very pleased with both.


 


Depending on how old your model is, the trim color could change from the original. For example


 


if I were to send my Classic in again for a rebuild, I believe it would come back with a black


 


out bag.......and also a black cord........be sure to ask them. You actually call and ask for the rebuild


 


department and leave a message. They will call you back and give you a price and how long it  


 


will take to get it back after they receive it.


 


PR-21


Bud


 


 


 


 


 

 

[huskyvacs]

I like all my vacuums to be as originally equipped, so I wouldn't use this service (not that I could afford it anyway). Having to replace aftermarket-replaced parts on Kirbys that went in for a refurb 30 years ago is a nightmare. The 80's refurbs on 500 series Kirbys used a sickly pale mauve color and it looks so terrible and I think it really sets out to ruin the look of the vacuum. The original red trim and black (or was it gray?) bag looked amazing on that era of vacuums.

I think now you might have some choice into the colors you want - but these refurb services are mainly just for people that want their "Cadillac of vacuums" to be in tip-top shape. It's not really meant for collectors as they are not refurbished to original period-correct specifications - which you would think they would. They just grab whatever new parts they have handy. I think they actually replace the excellent metal fans with plastic ones on the older models too, and it really hurts the tone of the vacuum.

I've been studying for months learning in theory how to repair vacuums, and hoping this summer to put the theory into practice, then I can do my own work. I'd rather repair my own Kirby, even if I have to sink about $80 on a bench grinder/polisher and compounds and pastes, but I know it will be looking like it just rolled off the assembly line. The metal polishing is the hard part but I bought a couple junky vintage metal hand vacs to practice on first that aren't very rare or collectible.

 

[vacuumdevil]

@rodknock95
They do an excellent job!
I would do it for $150 plus parts which will probably end up being about the same as shipping.

 

[lesinutah]

Polish

If you do it yourself save the money. They will put the same shoddy 1.25 inch fill tube and setup. I put my own sentria 2 topper and fill tube in. The 16" nozzle is not as curvy as sanitronic and before Kirby models. I have a $200 DeWalt 7-9 inch variable speed 800 rpm-6000 rpms. In vices I can sand and polish a vacuum in 20 minutes.
I have since have 3 bench grinders. 1 is using 7 inch head with sand paper on it. The other two bench polishers are red white and blue and cleaning/ polish head. So I have 60-2000 grit sandpaper for the heads switch both twice sanding is done quick and polish down the line. I have learned a few tricks. It's not hard. I'd just buy all new parts you want for tradition and spend a little on a couple new tools you can use. Blind pilot bearing puller/ grease gun setup, or various other things
Les