Rainbow Model D

[vacfanatic]

I found this locally here in Omaha this weekend. It is a Rainbow Model D. It was in VERY good shape for it's age, and I was surprised it even had the tool caddy and owner's manual. I did a complete teardown of it and cleaned it all up, works very nicely. The only thing is the hose is a bit stuff, but no holes or tears in it. The seller only wanted $25!

Andrew

 

[vacfanatic]

Before Cleanup

 

[vacfanatic]

Before Cleanup

 

[vacfanatic]

Before Cleanup

 

[vacfanatic]

Before Cleanup

 

[vacfanatic]

Before Cleanup

 

[vacfanatic]

Before Cleanup

 

[vacfanatic]

After Cleanup

 

[vacfanatic]

After Cleanup

 

[vacfanatic]

After Cleanup

 

[vacfanatic]

After Cleanup

 

[vacfanatic]

After Cleanup

 

[vacfanatic]

Vacuum Condition

The bearings in the motor sound as if they are starting to go out, but not too terribly. I did not go as far as tearing the motor apart itself. The problem I have heard, and see with this Rainbow, is the motor gets kind of corroded over time with all the exposure to the water. The seperator had probably not been cleaned for years on this, it took quite a bit of work to clear it from all the caked on dirt. The attachments and floor tools are in very nice condition, nothing a little magic eraser was not able to assist with as well.

 

[luxg]

Andrew, that looks like a very nice machine and in good condition. After you have used it a few times let us know what you think. Do you have any of the scents for the water?

 

[vacfanatic]

Use Report

I have used it before I cleaned it up, and after. It definately has more suction now that I cleaned out the seperator. I vacuum almost daily around my house, well most of us here probably do , but I was surprised to actually see all the dirt suspended in water. The vacuum has nice suction. I think the vacuum works very well for it's age, but I don't think I would want one as a daily driver. Too much hastle to fill them up with water. I of course still love my new Miele S7 Swing Upright, but it was nice to find this old vintage Rainbow. I don't have any scents for the water, but that might be a nice trick to get it smelling better. This thing smelled horrible when I got it home. Smells better after a good bath, but still needs some help. Since underneath the seperator is a bit corroded and rusted, I am not able to totally disassemble the motor for a good detailed cleaning.

 

[countryguy]

I have the same model with all the same attachments. I use mine more in summer when I can just empty the container outside (on septic system here). It does have a lot of suction. I put a couple drops of Downey in the water to make it smell fresh.

Gary

 

[normvac]

Great Machine.
When I first arrived in Columbus, in 1969. Some of the guys
in Base Supply (Lockbourne AFB, Now Rickenbacker). Several
of them I worked with were selling Rainbows part time. So
I took a shot at it. I sold my Dad who was always convinced
it was the best Vacuum due to the water. If I recall It was
priced at $325.00 with a trade in and $35.00 down. You could
make payements for 2 years. Kirbys in those days were approaching the $300.00 mark. Sold 3 to relatives and returned
one !
Norm

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Fabulous!

That's totally my favorite Rainbow... Such a beautiful machine. I've got one as well. As much as I love it, I think I've only really used it once. It's just such a chore to full up, empty, rise, dry out...

That's a really good rug tool. Very "aerodynamic"..

~Fred