Stiff Vinyl or Sticky plastic wire reinforced hoses

[thermokid]

Is there any thing like armoral or something that you can wipe your old vacuum hoses with that will moisten them up so they are not so stiff. I have a couple of Kirby hoses from the 561 series and the Dual Sanitronic 50 series that are stiff. Alos is there anything to take off the sticky gooey stuff that is on a vinyl hose such as a Kirby Omega or Classic III . Help!!!

 

[henry200]

I think the first non-woven Kirby hoses were rubber and I'm not sure if much can be done to soften them up if the rubber is degraded over time.  I've never had one myself but I'll make a totally unreliable guess that by the time the 561 came out Kirby had switched to vinyl.  I have cleaned vinyl hoses by immersing them in a dishpan with warm water and a shot of dish soap.  After soaking a bit and then wiping them they look great.  I make sure they get completely dry inside by attaching to the Kirby exhaust and blowing them out for several minutes.   I follow up with ArmourAll as well on hoses, cords, bumpers etc to protect and "moisturize" a bit, but unless it is wiped thoroughly afterward there will be a silicone-like slickness left behind.


 


Neil

 

[twocvbloke]

I have heard of people rubbing baby oil into stiffened vinyl and rubber products to soften them up, I've never tried it myself though, but the theory behind it is the oil is absorbed into the plastic or rubber and makes it softer and more pliable, it might help revive an old hose, but if it's really stiff, it may have already sustained damage and is probably beyond repair...

If they are too far gone, then the only option really is replacement, using your original ends with a hose like this one here:



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/180640719169

 

[twocvbloke]

Or if you're more interested in Function over Form, there's this complete black hose with modern ends:



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/180640721585

 

[kenkart]

Old Hoses!

The Kirby hoses in the late 50s were vinyl, similar to the pink GEs , roll easys and the Rainbows from 55-58 when Nyloflex was introduced, I put them on the top rack of the dishwasher and usually it takes off the crud... then treat them with Armor All.