The restoration is about to begin.

[caligula]

Back in November of 2006 I put everything I owned into a 10 X 20 storage unit in Sacramento, California. I had no intention to store my collection longer than a few weeks. Because of this, and limited funds, they were not packed in boxes. The machines were there for a little over 4 years. Then they were moved to Indiana for another 3 years. The climate in Indiana was not good for these machines, but, again, I had no way to put them in protective plastic, or boxes, and conditions were not good. When I opened the storage unit last Thursday to start to prepare the vacuum cleaners for packing, I noticed that due to the length of time they were in there, they are in very bad condition. I have no intention of discarding anything, so after I give them a good hand polishing I'll know more. Bags have become moldy and need a lot of work, but again, I'll know more when I unload the pod. Oven the next months I'll be searching for replacement bags, and parts. I also want to locate members who can restore upright bags for me. I'm open to suggestions.

Alex Taber.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi Alex

<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Hi Alex, Sorry to hear about your machines. I hope your able to get them back to their original condition with out having to spend a bomb!</span>


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Remember to take before and after pics so we can see the hard work you will have to put in to them.</span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">All the best!</span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James</span>

 

[kirby505]

As far as moldy bags just remove the bag from the vacuum and let it soak in a bath of hot soapy water and then gently scrub the bag and rince the bag, let the bags dry then put them back on the vacuum cleaner. I also have a huge supply of extra vacuum parts, let me know what you are looking for. Just email me a huge list of everything you are looking for and I will see if I have it. My email can be found in my profile, but when you email me please use subject line of "vacuum parts wanted". Or just email me here on vacuumlands email server. I need the money baddily right now. Thats my advice.
David Kahn
Kirby505

 

[caligula]

Hi Kirbymodel2c

Thanks for the nice words. Yes I plan to take before, during and after pictures of both pods. I also plan to take pictures of every machine as it is now. I think it will take many months to bring them back to full restoration, right now I'll just have them displayed.

The good thing is that I have several boxes of hoses, wands, cords, outer bags, attachments, and so on that had been packed away, so they were safe. (Shown here). Also, the non electric machines were in my mom's flat, and are in good condition.

We can, and will get it looking good.

Alex.

 

[electrolux137]

I'd suggest you be VERY careful with the moldy bags. If there is any black mold on them, bringing them inside could contaminate your home with toxic black mold. So don't bring them into your house until you have cleaned and dried them.

Wearing a protective mask and gloves, brush off the loose, dried mold. Be careful not to let any of the powerdy residue get on you or your clothes.

Use a spray-bottle on mist setting to thoroughly soak the bags with white vinegar. This well help to remove the moldy smell.

After the vinegar has dried, carefully but thoroughly hand-wash the bags (still keeping them outside).

Dry them outside in the sun, not the clothes dryer. Heat from the dryer may make spots harder to remove.

Repeat if necessary. However, do know that if the mold is really bad on some bags it may be impossible to remove it. I had some old bags in storage that got so moldy that it ate right through the fabric. They were a total loss and included some old black Kirby bags, including a very rare Model R bag.

Good Luck.............

 

[caligula]

Wrong choice of word here.

Hi Charles Richard: They are musty, there are no actual mold spores, but yes, they will be placed out in the sun for several hours and allowed to air out. The Kirby bags are on the Sani-em-tor's, and I doubt if I can get them apart. I'll know more later, I didn't have time to evaluate, that comes after I unload the pod. Thanks for the info, I will use it.

Bob Alex.