wyaple
Well-known member
A few days ago, I acquired my very first Rainbow vacuum (paid $10), An SE model from 1998 with many attachments. It came with the PN2 and the Aquamate 1. In its 17 years of hard use, it was never serviced, so its condition is very rough but “restorable.” I am midway through the restoration process and I have a few questions.
1) Why are all the hose couplings corroded/rusty? Can they be sanded/polished to look like new? I have restored Kirby units that were so corroded that they were a dull grey, so I’m hopeful that these couplings can be cleaned up.
2) There seemed to be several gaskets in the PN2. I say seemed because there wasn’t much left of them so I’m wondering if I should buy factory replacements or just get black peel and stick weather stripping from the hardware store and use that?
3) The original brush roll is trashed. One bearing grinds and some bristles are missing. Should I get the OEM brush roll or get an aftermarket one that appears to have a more aggressive design for about half the price? I would like the one that performs better.
Both the main and PN motors were clogged with pet hair and various light debris. After a thorough cleaning and commutator polishing, they both sound and run like new. At this time, I can’t detect any bearing noise and both pairs of carbon brushes have at least 75% length remaining.
One thing that surprised me was the main motor air flow path. It seems to pull in air from the upper part of the housing and expel air from the middle of the housing. Another thing is the loose fitting house coupling to the water bowl. It does click in well enough (won’t fall out), but there is quite a lot of wiggle. I wonder if the connection could be sealed better for more suction?
Lastly, the original separator looks pretty good, but it is the original. Can the upgraded part, say from an E series be safely used in this SE?
Thanks for all your comments,
Bill
1) Why are all the hose couplings corroded/rusty? Can they be sanded/polished to look like new? I have restored Kirby units that were so corroded that they were a dull grey, so I’m hopeful that these couplings can be cleaned up.
2) There seemed to be several gaskets in the PN2. I say seemed because there wasn’t much left of them so I’m wondering if I should buy factory replacements or just get black peel and stick weather stripping from the hardware store and use that?
3) The original brush roll is trashed. One bearing grinds and some bristles are missing. Should I get the OEM brush roll or get an aftermarket one that appears to have a more aggressive design for about half the price? I would like the one that performs better.
Both the main and PN motors were clogged with pet hair and various light debris. After a thorough cleaning and commutator polishing, they both sound and run like new. At this time, I can’t detect any bearing noise and both pairs of carbon brushes have at least 75% length remaining.
One thing that surprised me was the main motor air flow path. It seems to pull in air from the upper part of the housing and expel air from the middle of the housing. Another thing is the loose fitting house coupling to the water bowl. It does click in well enough (won’t fall out), but there is quite a lot of wiggle. I wonder if the connection could be sealed better for more suction?
Lastly, the original separator looks pretty good, but it is the original. Can the upgraded part, say from an E series be safely used in this SE?
Thanks for all your comments,
Bill