Original 505 Kirby

[crazykirbylady]

Bought this one from eBay. A very dusty, musty old stag he is. But I’m in the process of cleaning the old boy up. Seems to be all original. Bought a new belt lifter as the old had friggen screws in it. Cleaned the old bag. A real handsome sucker. Diamond in the rough as all Kirbys are.

 

[kirby519]

Very nice find. All polished up it will be a beauty.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Welcome to the site, and NICE FIND! Glad to see one that is still mostly original. Check out my 505 resto thread should you need any tips, tricks, or pictures. Mine is not original in the least but it still came out nice.
http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?34158_27
Sad to see how the belt lifter was 'fixed'. I fixed mine with screws but at least did it right and saved it.
Keep this thread going - after restoring 5 Kirbys, I want to watch now rather than do! )

 

[electrolux137]

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Was the lettering already worn off of the bag, or did that happen when you washed it?!

 

[lesinutah]

Hi

Beautiful vacuum. 2 black belt lifters original cord and bag. Very nice before putting belt on make sure fan topper(the thing you put the belt on its been a long day) make sure belt clears and doesn't hit belt lifter mine has a cap and tried putting belt on 508 head it would of sheer the shaft. But nice hold on to that.

 

[lesinutah]

Texas kirby guy

I'm starting my 505 took off bag washed it by hand lightly. I broke my back wheel shaft on 508 so I'm doing 508 and 505 at the same time.
Send me a email have resto question not mentioned in your thread.
[email protected]

 

[crazykirbylady]

thanks everybody! And thanks for the tips!

Electrolux, the lettering on the bag was already worn off. I was very gentle when washing it. It came out nice and the remainders of the faint lettering didn't wear off. That bag was awful.. I had to go through several bath tub fulls to get it clear again, even after getting the dust outta it. Very dirty Kirby.

 

[crazykirbylady]

My biggest thing is I wish I could get that nice mirror shine. But I don't have the tools to do it..well the nice ones anyways. I've got a black n decker polisher and mothers. Does anybody know a good process to get a decent shine?

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Mothers, VIVA brand paper towels, and some good elbow grease can get you a pretty nice shine. Try an area and see how it looks. If you want better, get a polishing wheel for an electric drill. If your B&D polisher is for cars, it will not work - too big and too slow.
Check out post 4 in this thread for polishing help. I based this on my beginner's experience and I had good luck with it in the 5 machines I restored.
http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?34091_7