Rainbow D, D2, D3 or D4 (Pre-1990)

[kirbyclassiciii]

Hi,

Does anyone here have any experiences on what the best pre-1990 Rainbow vacuum is?

The chronology:
D = 1955 to 1960
D1 = 1961 to 1973 ("D1" is an internal designator I prefer to distinguish the 1961 model D from the original 1955 version that was the first product of Rexair to bear the Rainbow marque)
D2 = 1974 to 1979 (was first model to use a commonly-available power nozzle; in this case the PN, model R-1024, was made by Eureka)
D2A = First half 1980
D3 = Second half 1980 to 1985 (was the first all-plastic model; also, in March 1981, Rexair replaces the Eureka-made R-1024 power nozzle with an in-house design, model R-1650)
D4 = 1986 to 1990

And, what are your thoughts on the available power nozzles of the D2, D3 and D4 series?
Model R-1024 = 1974 to 1981 (models D2, D2A and D3A)
Model R-1650 = 1981 to 1985 (models D3A, D3C)
Model R-2800 = 1986 to 1990 (models D4A, D4C?)

~Ben

 

[briankirbyclass]

Ive heard many Rainbow experts, salesman, owners, and repair techs say that the D2 "Chrome Dome" (74-79) was/is the best of all, easiest to use, and easiest to repair. Seems like a repair tech told me once that the D2 has more fans/turbines than the others, so therefore more air flow? Im assuming as long as they are in A1 condition, and perfectly clean seperator, this is true.
I would think that with a new Vibra Groomer brush roll, new belt, fans and "spider" in A1 condition, clean hoses and clean seperator, a D2 is still an excellent vacuum cleaner.
Just dont use it to vacuum up fireplace ash, talcum powder, or any substance that is impervious to the wetting action of water. It will all go right out the exhaust of the Rainbow.
A neighbor of mine has a D2 that she bought new in around 1977-78 from a DTD salesman, and is still going strong.
She said she has had motor repair and cleaned out a few times over the yrs, new hose, did replace the water pan once, brush roll and belt on the PN, and always cleans her seperator with a tooth brush after every few uses,,but other than that, her D2 is still going strong to this day.
She says the secret is to NOT clean too long with any one filling of water.
She says she stops every 20 min or so of use and dumps and refills the water pan,even if the water is NOT that dirty,,and always has. So, evidently if you take care of a Rainbow, and know how to use it correctly, it will last!,,at least a D2 sure will.

 

[jfalberti]

The Rainbow D2 with the Eureka PN

Is my favorite. I had one that I gave away to a lady friend, and she drove it into the ground. I have since come to the conclusion (wrong or right) that if someone gets something for free, they don't take care of it like they would if they had to buy it. Again, I could (and probably am) wrong, but that is what it seems like to me.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

I would take good care of a D3A with the same R-1024 power nozzle. I would do as BrianKirbyClass says and clean out the basin about every 15 minutes of use regardless of the water condition.

~Ben