Kirby Rug Nozzle Has a Mottled Finish After Intense Polishing

[hismastersvoice]

I've polished many Kirbys by hand using Mothers and 0000 steel wool for particulary tough spots. The other day I was finishing a machine and had saved the rug nozzle for last. It was particularly corroded, so I attacked it with the steel wool first, then went at it with Mothers. The finish was mirror-smooth, however, instead of being of a consistent shiny silver tone like the rest of the machine, it has a sort of mottled look to it, almost like a hammered finish. I can only imagine the corrosion has sunk deep within the aluminum. Is a buffing wheel the only solution, or is there some sort of solvent or technique that I can try? It's really got me stumped!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

You may want to call Kirby customer service at 1-800-437-7170 and kindly explain to them your ordeal. You are looking for a perfect mirror finish for your nozzle, is what you want to explain to them.

~Ben

 

[bnsd60m9200]

steel wool isnt going to cut when its that badly pitted. your going to have to sand it if you want the results you desire. dry sand with 200 grit on a palm sander. use 320,400,600,800,1000,2000 grit WETSAND sandpaper with cheat ATF (automatic trans fluid) from oreillys as the wet agent. i do each grit wet, wipe it off with a microfiber cloth thats used for "junk" cleaning, then dry sand with the same grit.

you want to alternate directions. up down/ left right. making sure you sand with each grit well enough you cant see the previous grit's marks. at the end, use 2000 grit sandpaper till the grit clogs and polishes instead of sands. then use 0000 steel wool wet first, then dry, in a circular pattern to get the 2000 grit sand marks out.

finally, use turtle wax rubbing compound with a terry cloth and aggresive pressure. then a microfiber cloth to buff the rubbing compound. finally, wax with high grade automotive paste wax and aggresively buff with a microfiver cloth.

this method is time consuming and messy, but it the only way to get severe pitting/ gouges out and back to a smooth mirror shine. mothers and steel wool simply isnt aggressive enough by itself in those severe cases.

 

[bnsd60m9200]

wetsand method

this tradition i did for my brother. the metal was several pitted, scratched and corroded. using the method i described, this was the result after 45-50 hours or metal finishing in about a 2 week (on and off) period.

 

[hismastersvoice]

The thing is, it isn't pitted or gouged, which I would understand not being able to polish out. I'll take some photos later today.

 

[miskini]

Go to harbor freight

Save yourself a lot of headaches and time. It seems like your collection is growing. With the coupon you get a buffer for $30. Best money you'll ever spend.

 

[miskini]

By the way

I was searching the detroit metro craigslist, and saw that hoover you bought. Sweet machine. You beat me too it. Enjoy

 

[hismastersvoice]

So, I was able to get rid of most of the corrosion off by starting out with 00 steel wool, then 000, and finally 0000. I'm definitely considering a buffer though, these arms are getting tired with all of these Kirbys that keep finding me! (A 560 showed up on my porch today, imagine...)

Oh, and I think the Hoover that's still on Craigslist is not the one I bought, I tried to buy that one too but the lady only would meet me at a specific pet store on Saturday between 1-3. She finally stopped responding to my calls and emails after I asked if she was able to meet at a different time. Apparently she doesn't really want to sell it that bad...