My new to me Rainbow E Series E2 Single Speed

[jfalberti]

My new to me Rainbow E Series single speed was delivered yesterday. As you can see, it needs quite a bit of cleanup. It was loaded with spider webs, and dead spiders in the water pan. It also looks like it was stored with dirty water in the pan, judging by the dried caked on mud. It did come with a 4 quart pan, so that is a plus. What would be the best way to clean up the white scrapes off the dolly and power nozzle?

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Wow!

That machine saw a good time. A lot of $$ was spent on that, only to not care for it properly.
Simple Green should remove a lot of those scuffs, as will a little Bon Ami
Good luck w/ your new machine!

 

[mark40511]

Wow!

Never ceases to amaze me the shape these Rainbows end up. That said, it is probably 20 years old. Still, if I had bought a 90s Rainbow brand new it wouldn't be in that state.

What's your plan for this? If you refurbish inside and out (which I hope you do) you should add your progress to this thread or even better, make a video.

 

[jfalberti]

I plan to fix it up. Already ordered new Hepa filter for it, and replacement attachments for the ones missing. May take a while, but I'll get her whipped back into shape.

 

[gregvacs28]

The filtration on these is not good, and it isn't practical to have to take them all apart and wash the innards after every use. 


 


That's why there so many out there that are in such terrible condition. One can only imagine what one of these left WITH THE WATER AND SCUMMY dirt in it smells like after just a few days...   a month......And the exhaust if you were to turn it on in your house would be full of mold spores.


Totally unsanitary.

 

[electroluxxxx]

The white scuffs can easily be removed with 91% rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth. As for the machine good buy and it’s also an earlier model (98-99 maybe 1st or second quarter 2000), early models had the screw on HEPA filter cover and the later ones had the snap on covers. The E-series single speed machines used 2 different types of motors and filters, one was a lamb, the other a GS electric and they weren’t made to be completely torn down other than carbons replaced and the fan and housing cleaned, as for filters one type had the filter material completely exposed and had a seal around the edge of the filter the other was a cassette with a square opening, there were also 2 types of motor filters too, one was a fiber material the other hepa material that kept the carbon dust from escaping the machine. Those 4qt basins although common aren’t too common (contradictive I know). When these machines come in for service, they are actually easier in my opinion to service than say a D4 and if well taken care of will filter, clean well and last a long time. As for my rainbow knowledge I only service hundreds of rainbows (just about all rainbow models) a year so... I wouldn’t know much at all.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Mike, may I call you Mike?

Don't be so hard on yourself. Let me do it for you.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

as you know,

my only "rainbow connection" is regarding Judy Garland, Skittles.........................etc.
But, I am not one to bash.

 

[mark40511]

@ gregvacs

He's only going to disassemble/clean because the Rainbow he bought has been to hell and back. If a rainbow owner takes care of their machine (which unfortunately MOST don't) you won't have any issues you mentioned..

 

[gregvacs28]

Mark405

Yes, I'm sure IF people did as they're supposed to and clean it out, it would probably work OK.


The same goes for ANY bagless vacuum with it's fine dust catching filters, if people would only do-the-correct-thing and clean them regularly, they'd work OK


 


(sigh) But human nature what it is, most people are NOT vacuum aficionado's like us.  They want to get their vacuum task over as quick as possible or avoid it altogether. 


 


So having vacuums that are reasonable with easy quick change bags and simple to use attachments is necessary for the masses. 


They are the depraved vacuum slobs that need our pity and understanding as they still need to vacuum their own environs the likes of which we may be exposed to. 

 

[gregvacs28]

John

I'm sure Judy Garland would approve of your venue.  Very colorful and cheerful.

 

[juju93]

This may sound like a random question but, what other floor cleaner can be used in the rainjet other than the clean floor solution. Like can I use the solution from the swifter WetJet as well as some other choices, like pine sole, mr clean. Of course I know majority of the solution has to be water with a cap or two of solution. But I’m curious to what other solution options there are for the rainjet.

 

[jfalberti]

Never ever use Pine Sol

or any other pine oil based cleaner in the Rainjet or similar cleaners. They will have an adverse reaction with the plastics and damage them. This is directly from the Hoover Floormate book I have.

 

[lesinutah]

Clean

If you want to clean the water pan. You fill it up completely with water put dish soap or green clean. Let it soak about 36 hours. You can use a higher pressure hose and after you fill and empty a hose should get almost everything off it.
The scuffs don't use alcohol it dries up the sheen on the plastic. You only use alcohol if disinfecting/sanitizing or removing sticky and permanent marker. Get a green scrubber or Mr clean pads and wipe it down.
The majority just a wet rag and rinse.
I've tore apart 3 single speeds a few months ago. I'm not sure what runs and what doesn't. I got them for free and figured one should be able to be salvaged.
The 2 versions of the one speed is the motor that is most desirable the 10 amp 12 with power nozzle or the lesser powred one?
Les

 

[jfalberti]

Well, I got brave last night

Well, I got the initial cleanup done and it looks a lot better. Decided to be brave and plug it in and see what would happen. Filled the pan, plugged it in and turned it on. I put some Rainbow scent drops in the pan, and it ran great. Bearings sound good, and the machine has great suction. Then suddenly the room went dark. I thought a circuit breaker tripped, and I think I said every cuss word I know, and maybe even made up a few. As I was getting ready to check the breaker box, power came back on. Darned SCE. They couldn’t have timed it better if they had planned it.

 

[mark40511]

Hahaha

a strange coincidence. Those kinds of coincidences freaks me out.

You can be sure that if it looks that bad on the outside, the inside is probably just as bad. The fans and housing could possibly be caked with dirt.

 

[jfalberti]

You're right Mark.

It definitely has a date with a screwdriver this weekend.

 

[juju93]

I have another random question to ask for my fellow Rainbow experts. What other solution can I use in the aquamate/ MiniJet accessories other than the aquamate solution. Also when using the sprayer/ rexafoamer attachment, what other solution can be used for that, since it’s a foam solution.

 

[gregvacs28]

Just a suggestion to make clean up of dirty non-electric parts:   after you get everything disassembled put them in a dishwasher.


 


It can do wonders in clean and save you time and effort.  You have to be careful what parts, though....