Kirby Shine (Keeping it up)

[kirbyluxhoover]

I am posting this in both the Vintage and Contempoarry because it applies to both. What are some ideas or tricks for keeping the Kirby Shine after you polish it up nice. I want to get my machines shined up and would like to know of a way to keep them that way other than re-polishing them when they start looking bad. I've seen wiping down with Windex. What about a quick wipe down with Mother's Polish? I am looking for something that is as easy wipe down you can do after each use of like once a month to keep from having to do a major polish job. Thanks up front for your input.

 

[whirlpolf]

tried and tested

hello Ryan,

I do not know what dedicated Kirby affictionados might want to recommend to you, but with quite a reasonnable success I have used Amway "See Spray" (the window cleaner) on Kirby vacuums, some chome toasters and my bike as well. It just keeps spots and stains away and does a fairly good job degreasing things.

Other than that I also have successfully tried "Polyboy" (an oil-based furniture polisher, a German brand) to keep the shine in a quick wipe-down while leaving a slightly oily surface (which keeps moisture from settling down). Still: You will not get rid of the "oily" touch when using this. (I am sure there are similar products in the US and in AU)

No idea if this will help you, but good luck anyway!
Joe

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi Joe, I've just looked at your profile and on your profile you say you have a kirby 503??

Just wondered which model you ment?

James

 

[airway88]

Hmmm!!!!!

I am guessing its a 508, not a 503. Now a 503- that would be something!

 

[ohio_tuec]

Doesn't everyone know about the model 503? It came between the 4C/4R and the 505. One of those elusive prewar models ;-)

 

[frkirby511]

Stan Kann on keeping up shine

When visiting Stan Kann a number of years ago, he told the group of us that he used Glass Wax to keep up shine on his vacs. I have not tried it myself, but he said as long as he wiped them down with Glass Wax once per month, he had no problem keeping up the shine.

 

[whirlpolf]

James, it is a 561 (that's what it says on the plate), not a 503 nor a 508.
I was to write 508 (couldn't read my own handwriting from a paper). Mind that I never cared about it too much since it is a 110V machine. Anyway, it is old, red and quite worn out. The bag is brown, though.
I've never understood this 500s mess anyhow, my Kirby life begins with the Heritage/Legend models.
Cheers, Joe

 

[pjgriff]

Have you tried using paste wax to keep it shiny longer? Otherwise, remember Kitchen Jubilee, a creamy, liquid kitchen wax. They still make similar products and it works great on porcelain appliances, I think it also works on chrome.

And a question. Do you use a rubbing compound to polish it in the first place? if so, do you use Mother's? I need to polish my Kirbys big time!

 

[a007kirbyman]

Polishing aluminum, etc.

(mho) Autosol (German) & Flitz (USA) both do a great job. BOTH are available in tubes (like toothpaste) or bigger canisters (for higher volume usage).

I have a customer who has used many different polishes; he has a brass foot rail in his bar; he said he had to do it about every 2 weeks using 'Mothers'; now that he uses 'Flitz', he only does it about every 6-8 weeks.

With a little 'elbow grease' I (or you) am able to get rid of any 'water spots' that are known to happen with aluminum.

Any questions or acquiring of, please feel free to email me.

[[ [email protected] ]] Bill

 

[pjgriff]

Thanks, I might have some Flitz in my kitchen drawer.