Tristar All Spruced Up!

[methodistbill]

Well, I finally have my $31 Ebay Tristar all spruced up. I replaced the belt and brushroll, cord, and power nozzle bumper. The nameplate was knocked off, so I ordered one of those too. Unfortunate, Tristar doesn't make the push pin type any longer. It's just a decal. The selector decal on the power nozzle is coming off too. I have one on order but I suspect that it will come in silver, rather than the current gold on this one. I also had to deodorize it from cigarette smoke. Makes me wonder why I used to smoke!

 

[methodistbill]

Glamour Shot 2

The floor tool didn't come with it, but I got it at a really great price.

 

[xraytech]

very nice,I have been wanting one for a while and just was outbid on a beautiful 50th Anniversary edition in gold and black, that is ultimately the model I want.

Great find for $31

Sam

 

[methodistbill]

Shot Three

What I especially like about this machine is that EVEN I can work on it! My thanks especially to Sandy McLendon for providing some excellent guidance.

 

[methodistbill]

A Cleaning Machine!

Plus, this thing is a cleaning machine! But I've noticed that I now have an odd fascination with the debris in the dust bag! Is it odd to enjoy opening the dust bag cover to look at the contents?

 

[kirbyotronic]

It looks great!

How did you get rid of the cigarette smell?

And another thing, I love Compacts/Tristars because you can easily see what's in the bag after you've vacuumed.

~Alex

 

[methodistbill]

Deodorizing

Alex, I completely disassembled the main unit and the power nozzle and washed everything thoroughly. But even after washing, the smoke smell seems to adhere to plastic and rubber. So I spayed a product on them called "Liquid Alive." It is an enzyme that eats any odor causing bacteria. The smell of the enzyme lingers for a while but eventually goes away as it eats up all the odor causing bacteria. AND it's all gone now, along with the cigarette smell too!

Bill

 

[methodistbill]

Oh, I forgot . . .

I did buy the attachments too. I was hoping they would be the clear speckled ones. Perhaps one day I'll find them!

Bill

 

[normvac]

Great buy Bill, cleaned very nicely.
I know you'll enjoy it!
When I used a Compact for cleaning plaster dust
in new condos and Apts. I would always be cking
the bag. Because it never lost suction, so I've
have to see what was going on !!
Norm

 

[ttuee2006]

Since it seems to be popular....

Here's a picture of mine all cleaned up. Notice that mine's got the decal label like Bill's does. I don't have the attachment carrier for mine either. I should probably try to find one at some point ;-)

 

[ttuee2006]

Handle

I have a generic hose on mine with the gas-pump handle with the PN switch. I LOVE this hose! 100000000000000x better than the original one it came with.

 

[ttuee2006]

And of course........the PN...

How could we forget the VGII brushroll?

 

[ericaustin]

I love the VGII in mind made a man out of my Tristar..

 

[methodistbill]

VGII Brushroll -- where to find?

Where can one find the VGII brushroll? I've looked around and can't find one for the canister power nozzle. Eric, does the after market hose have an air bleeder valve? I think that's the one drawback of the OEM hose. Thanks!

Bill

 

[luxg]

Bill that sure is a beautiful Tri-Star, you have done a great job with the restoration!! Thanks for sharing.

 

[ttuee2006]

VGII

The VGII is NLA nowadays. I found mine out of an old junk Eureka PN, and unless you want to pay an exhorbitant price for a new one (if you can even find it) that's probably the best way to go.

The aftermarket hose doesn't have an air bleed valve either! I don't use them on any other vacuum I own, but I'll tell ya.....this is one that NEEDS it! You literally can't clean a rug with it unless you stand on it and push away from you.

 

[petek]

Hmmmm I"m liking those vacs more and more. The big warthog filter though has to go LOL

 

[dsmiler]

I was looking at the first picture. Check the
pn something looks off a bit. Might be the bottom plate.

 

[aeoliandave]

Bill, that's a real handsome color combo on your Tristar.

Eric, the one I just got is all mottled silver like yours with the PN.
I've been singing the praises of Compact/Tristar for decades - smaller and more 'uptown' pretty than a Filter Queen and equally effective and 'clogless' cleaner for the Modern Home.

Pete, I have both styles of afterfilters. The 'warthog filter' is transparent grey showing the pleated carburetor FRAM filter ring and looks like a space saucer shuttle docking on the MotherSow Ship - keeping to the Space Theme I'm on this weekend.

Dave