Well, I finally got around to polishing up my Kirby 505. I had already polished it once when I got it about 4 years ago, but I didn't know as much then as I do now and I didn't have as good of a buffer as I do now. The past few weeks have been pretty icky weather wise, what better time to buff up a Kirby than now? This 505 was almost all original with all the black trim except for the cord and the handle grip when I got it. I found the handle grip from a fellow collector years ago and I found the cord since then. I am still trying to find an original bag.. wish someone would make one... hint hint. I found another 505 last summer in about the same condition as this one, only is doesn't have the right belt lifter and is also missing the original bag. But with it I also got the big box it came in along with some other attachments so I think between the two 505's I have pretty much a complete set, sans the bag.

I am still in awe that I actually found one since I wanted a 505 from about the time I started collecting Kirby's. I never thought I'd see one much less own one. Now I have two, kind of feel lucky. Anyways, enjoy the pics. The first one is a before shot, the rest will be after shots.

Chad

After shot, turned on for Rick...

Here is a close up of the motor

This is a side view

Here is the other side

This is a head on shot

Great Job! That machine is BEAUTIFUL.....
This beauty really deserves an original bag to complete it.
Best of luck finding one.

Did you polish that by hand?? Or did you use a buffing wheel?? Or have it done professionally?

It's amazing!

~Fred

OK, kidding but it looks soooo luscious.

Yes Chad, please describe in detail how you did that shine...I'm assuming the whole machine was disassembled, of course?

I have a few Kirbys now I didn't before, that are going to have to get the Total Treatment Buff-Up once I'm back home in a few weeks. Dave.

Wow, that is fantastic, please do share your secrets with us. I hope that you can find an orginal bag someday.

Chad,

An absolutely beautiful machine. And kudos to you for the great polishing job. That kind of shine takes some serious effort, even if you used a machine. Anyway, very nice machine.

I've never had the opportunity to use that particular model of Kirby. I'm sure it works very well. Amazing how these old machines never seem to die. So different when compared to the plastic pieces of crap on the market today.

Enjoy the fruits of your labor!!

Pat

Chad,

An absolutely beautiful machine. And kudos to you for the great polishing job. That kind of shine takes some serious effort, even if you used a machine. Anyway, very nice machine.

I've never had the opportunity to use that particular model of Kirby. I'm sure it works very well. Amazing how these old machines never seem to die. So different when compared to the plastic pieces of crap on the market today.

Enjoy the fruits of your labor!!

Pat

A beautiful machine with a beautiful shine! I'd like to hear more details, too. Did you use Mother's Mag? I used it on several of my machines, but I had to hand polish as I don't have a buffer.
Jeff

I did use a bench grinder with buffing wheels. I recently did some research on some better techniques for power buffing. Looks like I learned well. I also read Charlie Lester's buffing guide he has on his site. I also used some MAAS metal polish to get the buffing compound off between the different grits. I used a pretty nice bench grinder I recently bought at an estate auction. It's spins faster than my other bench grinder I had, I think that makes some difference as well. I bought my buffing wheels and compounds from a place called Caswell Plating. They have an extensive online catalog along with tips on buffing. I know you can use Mother's to polish Kirby's, but I don't think you can get scratches out of the metal that way. I know its hard to tell from the before shot, but this vacuum had lots of scratches on the rug nozzle and the hood. Those took me the longest to buff. I am really proud of the way it turned out.

Wow, you outdid yourself! That looks fantabulous! You've mastered the art of buffing now, so I'm sure you'll be taking orders from your fellow club members, eh? Chad, you know I grew up with one of these and this brings back memories of me sitting on our kitchen floor using an SOS pad and cleaning ours. I so wish we'd never traded it. I hope someone out there with seamstress skills is working on a pattern and plans for a black bag, that would be too cool.

Chad, you did a marvelous job on the 505. One of the first vacuums I got when I started collecting in the summer of 1997 was a 505. Got it a vacuum store in Topeka, KS, that closed a year or two later.

Jim Kirby, Emporia, KS