Kirby Rebuild Program Questions

[thunderhexed]

First off.. wanted to congratulate all involved in the design of the new web page.. it's amazing! It's also refreshing to come back after a couple of years and read postings without people bickering at each other! I love the pics that I've been able to look at, it's nice to kind of put some names with faces. Now on to my question...

I have been contemplating for a couple of years now on sending in my grandmother's Dual Sanitronic 80 for a rebuild. I have the original paperwork from when the machine was purchased. The vacuum needs DIRE help. It sat in a dusty, musty, moldy old shed for probably 15 years before I got ahold of it. Rats had destroyed the bag and the cord. All I basically have is just the power unit, the carpet head and the handle. I know before it was thrown into the shed it was used for YEARS with a busted fan so there is no telling what the inside of the motor looks like. I emailed a Kirby rebuild rep and she sent me a response stating that if I don't have the bag and cord, they will charge me extra for those items. Is this true? I have a red bag that i guess I could attach to it but i would like to have an actual Kirby stock bag on it. She also advised me to leave the handle off of the unit and not send it in.. do they not clean those up either? If so, then I may as well not even mess with it since I will have to pay for shipping both ways, new materials, and the rebuild itself. Any thoughts on this? Anyone else used the program that could provide any info? I would LOVE to have the machine restored as it is the very first Kirby I ever laid eyes on as a child and fell in love with.. but if I can find one in decent condition at a fair price I may just have to go that route eventually.

 

[sukething]

I will try to help you....

That particular machine is my favorite I will try to help you locate one in better condition. It would be better though to fix up the one you have since it was your families. The sentimental value alone could be worth it. I am sure some of the club members who have vac shops could help you figure other ways of rebuilding and buffing it out professionally so it looks like new.

I will do my best to help you, just let me know ok?

David

 

[thunderhexed]

Totally works for me.. thank you so much! I have the machine out at my parents place right now, I haven't even turned it on since it's been in my posession, I just can't bare the thought of hearing that terrible noise! It's like nails to a chalkboard to me! I don't even know if it runs anymore..guess I should find out though. The last time I fired up an old kirby I was unsure of, it powered up, ran for about 2 mins and then shot flames out of the side of it burning a hole in my carpet!

 

[sukething]

Ooops...dont do that agian...

Ya I would not turn that on again. It might just do that again or something worse. So again I will do my best,to find one for you ok?

 

[alex]

Kirby Rebuild

The Kirby Company does a really great job of rebuilding but is I understand it they do not use the origial parts. Kirby does not have a stock of D-50 or D-80 bags. I'm not an expert in this area but strongly suggest that you look to the club for restoration. A number of us are Kirby collectors and have parts in the color you need.

 

[sukething]

In fact when I leave school here in a little bit I will go by the Kirby store and see what my friend Gary has. His store is very close to my school where I teach. He just might have one in his basement. I will let you know what I find.

David

 

[sukething]

Alex is right, there are a number of us who have many Kirby parts that we would share with you.

 

[thunderhexed]

you guys rock!

All of this sounds very positive.. Any and ALL help/tips will be greatly appreciated.. I've kinda been out of the collecting loop for a couple of years due to a move that forced me to sell most of my collection and i have been getting really serious with school. I'm kinda hoping to work my way back into it beginning this winter.. thanks for all of the input guys.. keep it coming!

 

[electrolux1960]

Re: Where I Live:

There is a couple of Factory Authorized Kirby Repair Shops in town, that can do Rebuilding, without having to Ship the Vac out and about.

You might try checking through the Internet Yellow Pages, for future alternative Shops, just in case something might be needed, that even though I'm sure won't happen, but someone in the Club might not have available.

Another one of the Shops that I've gone to through the Years, not a Factory Authorized Shop, was just Sold, due to the Death of one of the original Owners. The new Owner also now is a Factory Authroized Singer Sewing Machine Repair Center as well. "BTW" I've got my Mother's 1940's Singer "Feather-Weight" Sewing Machine and I honestly don't like Sewing on any other Brands, unless I need or want some fancy Stitching done. It works just great for normal Straight-Stitch Sewing.

Good Luck with your Rebuilding of your Treasured Vac. I certainly know what it is like, to want to keep something and keep it operating properly, especially of being a Sentimental item.

Peace and Regards, Steve
Electrolux1960

 

[myvacsrock]

I got my grama's done too!!! I love how it looks and they kept it the original color and everything i love it!!!
For only 22.50!!!

Kyle Krichbaum (i'll post pics later!!)

 

[vacuumkid3]

Hi Kyle!

Wait, $22.50? What did you get done to it? That seems like a good price! In fact, I got done polishing (well partially done) my Kirby Sanitronic Miracle Head. It is like in mint condition except for the fact of oxidation. But after using Brasso (thanks Kyle!) and some fine steel wool, it is somewhat shiny and very smooth. It was a neat experience polishing a Kirby for the first time. Well, part of it, at least. A lot of the work can be done at your own house (refurb. a Kirby), but can (of course) be very time consuming. It took me maybe 30 minutes just on the Miracle Head! I wonder how long it would take if I wanted it spotlessly clean...

~~Kyle~~

P.S. This pic is before polishing...

 

[alex]

Polishing the polisher

A quick wipe with the 'Mothers' metal cleaner would have saved a lot of time. Wipe it on, rub and watch years of dirt melt away!
Try it, it works!

 

[vacuumkid3]

Sweet!

I will have to try it! I haven't gone to the store recently, but I think that will be doable. Thanks!

~~K~~

P.S. Does it get the deep ground oxidation (like the discolored aluminum) off? That's what I have a problem with.

 

[alex]

Mothers mag and wheel cleaner

That stuff is amazing! As you wipe it on you can see the dirt and oxidation melt away. It took me only a few minutes to bring a Kirby Vacuette to a like new finish. Now if somebody would find some way to restore color to the bags I'd be a very happy man. I must confess, I rarely strip a machine down, just remove the bag, cord and handle then slather on the Mothers cleaner and wipe off. To really bring out the shine buff with a lambs wool pad.