what is the best way to polish a kirby?

[vacfan6384]

My buddy Will told me his method of Sanding and hand polishing but I was thinking of just using a Bench Grinder with a buffing pad and the correct wax stick? Since I am a newbie at this I don't want to ruin the metal so any though would help. The metal is a little discolored and am not sure if the bench grinder will take out all the scratches and make the metal shiny like new

 

[kc_kirby]

Sam, You can get out scratches and stains with a bench grinder. I would recommend you read the Buffing Guide at Caswellplating.com before you dive into it. It's a pretty good guide to buffing. They also sell buffing supplies if you need them.

Chad Cunningham

 

[vacfan6384]

thanks chad for the info I am looking on the site now just not sure where to go to look for the guide I did find a area to help on finding the correct buffer wheel

 

[eurekastar]

I think this is what you're looking for.  When you're buffing, be sure and wear plenty of protection, especially eye protection.  A casting can catch the edge of the wheel and fly right out of your hand at a high rate of speed!!!  I've never bought anything from them, but this article is very helpful.  I've always used polish that Kirby sells to its distributors.  However, I'm sure this company has something comparable. 



http://www.caswellplating.com/buffman.htm

 

[truckerx]

How to Polish a Kirby...

...use Kielbasa ;o) (sorry - couldn't resist it)

 

[eurekastar]

LOL!  That's pretty funny!


 

 

[sarasvacshack]

Bought all of our

buffing material from Caswell. 3/4 hp buffing motor and stand ran about 300.00. I use black compound with a vented wheel for rough buffing (like the Kirby photo you posted), and white with a softer vented wheel for luster. Plenty of protection is a must (face shield, gloves, good dust mask, leather apron). It takes practice to find what works best for you and what pressure to exert. Learning the angle to apply the part. I like the 3/4 hp because if I get wrapped up in the wheel with my arms, it hurts but wont take off my arm (I dont like letting go of the part when I catch a flat edge). Be mindfull with the older Kirbys especially not to shoot a housing into your leg!

 

[jimbeckwith]

Polishing

It is a wonder that I never got hurt fooling around polishing old Hoover 700 and 725's when I was a kid of 12 forty odd years ago. I regularly used the Hoover buffing wheels in the service station that I worked in with no more protection than an apron and some good coaching on leverage and stance from the old-timers who ran the shop.

 

[vacuumman206]

buffing

I've found they clean up great on the bench grinder. Only issue with that is depending on your wheel size, you might have a hard time getting tight angles and such. The type of wheel you use also has a big impact on what you get out/clean up.