Thread Number: 18023
Kirby 518
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Post# 196942   8/23/2012 at 18:54 (4,253 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

i just bought a kirby model 518. it costed me 90 bucks but im happy. it has the original bag and cord but the cord is all dried up and one of the plugs has been replaced. i want to know if the kirby box is original. and if anyone has a good hose for it, i would love to have a nice one. here are pics. this is before the clean up. i havent done it yet.

Post# 196943 , Reply# 1   8/23/2012 at 18:55 (4,253 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

her is the back of the bag. it was so faded

Post# 196944 , Reply# 2   8/23/2012 at 18:56 (4,253 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

here is the cord

Post# 196945 , Reply# 3   8/23/2012 at 18:57 (4,253 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

and here are the boxes

Post# 196946 , Reply# 4   8/23/2012 at 18:58 (4,253 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

i have heard about people sending there kirbies to the kirby company to have them shine it up and fix everything, i also heard that you need the instruction manual, how do i send it to them.

Post# 196947 , Reply# 5   8/23/2012 at 19:03 (4,253 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        

super-sweeper's profile picture
Not sure on how to send a kirby for a factory rebuild,But was the original bag supposed to be black?

-Alex.


Post# 196949 , Reply# 6   8/23/2012 at 19:07 (4,253 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture

Those are the correct boxes for the 518.  I think that box carried over to the 519 as well.  You can tell from the one photo how much the photo has faded.  It originally was a medium gray. 


Post# 196960 , Reply# 7   8/23/2012 at 20:47 (4,253 days old) by vacman1961 (North Babylon, New York)        

Everything you have there is all original, it all is for the 518. As for sending it to the factory, it will come back like new, the only thing is the last 500 series I sent back came back with all tan trim, there was no red trim on the machine, now I think they have done away with tan bags, the new bag is black, I wonder if they are going to replace all the trim with black trim, would look nice. Good luck in your decision.



Post# 196963 , Reply# 8   8/23/2012 at 21:06 (4,253 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

i gues i will do it all my self because i dont want tan trim. i was hoping that they would keap the red trim. and no the original bag was not suposed to be black, it is dark gray. and i have a question. i had 2 sets of 518 atachments and the 2 handy butlers and boxes look different. here are some pics.

Post# 196964 , Reply# 9   8/23/2012 at 21:07 (4,253 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

handy sharpener?

Post# 196967 , Reply# 10   8/23/2012 at 21:46 (4,253 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture

You can paint the tan trim red using plastic/vinyl paint.  It's a simple process.  First, wash it with soap and water.  Dry.  Second, wipe it down with methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) in order to remove the final slick finish on the trim.  The goal here is to create a rough surface to which the paint will adhere. Third, spray it down with a sandless primer.  Fourth, while the primer is still wet, paint with plastic/vinyl paint.  Let the first coat dry and spray it again.  Let it cure for about a week and you'll be good to go.  I use SEM paint that's made for use in the automotive industry.  It's used to paint trim, floor mats, etc. and is very durable. 


Post# 196968 , Reply# 11   8/23/2012 at 21:47 (4,253 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

do you know anything about the handy butler?

Post# 197084 , Reply# 12   8/24/2012 at 12:47 (4,253 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

does anyone have a handle screw? mine has been replaced with a bolt and im not to happy about that, also does anyone have new berings that would fit this? i am also looking for the brush atachment. i forgot what number. i will try to post a pic later today of the brush that i want. and what do people use for hand polishing? thanks for info. oh i almost forgot something. is it posible to bring back the original color of the bag?

Post# 197865 , Reply# 13   8/28/2012 at 21:17 (4,248 days old) by kirbyguy (Columbia, MO)        
Kirby rebuild information

I don't have the Kirby factory rebuild anymore. However I got the number from a local Kirby salesmen.

If I remember corrrectly the gal at the Kirby rebuild plant said the cost for a rebuild/refurbish is between $325.00 to $400.00 now. And many machines like yours, and one of my vintage Kirby's, Kirby's rebuild dept no longer had many of the trim parts, including the cloth bag for the machine available.

I told the gal. I'll take a pass. If I'm going to spend that kind of money on a rebuild. I want my machine rebuilt back to its original look JUST like it did when it was new.

All in all, I found most of what I was looking for on eBay under vintage Kirby vacuum parts and or Vintage Kirby vacuum cleaner. Your bag and cord with the red ends are tough ones to find, good luck with those. But a hose, trim pieces and other vintage Kirby parts eventually do show up on eBay.

There's a seller on eBay that goes under the seller name of (kirbyfans) this guy seems to have quite a large selection of new and NOS Kirby parts. Especially for the vintage models.

Hope this info helps. Good luck & enjoy your Kirby.


Post# 197871 , Reply# 14   8/28/2012 at 21:48 (4,248 days old) by djtaylor (Salt Lake City, Utah)        

djtaylor's profile picture
Evan,
I know you want original parts, grey and red cord and grey bag, but it would look great with a new red cord and the new black bag.
Just a suggestion.
Justin


Post# 197883 , Reply# 15   8/28/2012 at 22:34 (4,248 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

yes it would look good with a new black bag and red cord but i would realy like to have the kirby logo on the bag. and the red cord im fine with but i want a original one.

Post# 197920 , Reply# 16   8/29/2012 at 07:02 (4,248 days old) by kirbyguy (Columbia, MO)        
NEW original Red Kirby cord.

A seller (vacuum shop)by the name of TotalVac sells through eBay.

TotalVac has NEW orininal Kirby cords for the older machines. I just purchased one and it was $14.95 + S&H. The cords do have Kirby name molded into the wall socket end of the cord. Actually I prefer the look of the red cord better then the gray on my machines with red trim and red emptor collar.

You may even be able find a replacement after market cloth bag for your machine at totalVac as well. However, the bag will not be the same as what you machine has on it now. The bag you have now is original and very, very hard to find. Your other option might be to try and dye your current bag a light to medium gray. However I don't know how this will affect the red color cloth trim. It may just turn your red cloth trim and logo black?



Post# 198013 , Reply# 17   8/29/2012 at 12:36 (4,248 days old) by kirbyguy (Columbia, MO)        
Bearings,Handle screw,Polish & Brush attachment.

Hope this helps.

Bearings & Handle screw: eBay seller name (Kirbyfans)

Polish: Mothers aluminum polish: Walmart or auto parts store. Works GREAT for hand polishing the metal finish, and it also contains an anti tarnishing inhibitor. This polish works fantastic on all metals. Brass, aluminum, silver, copper etc. wipe on and wipe off. No break your arm rubbing necessary. I Love it. about $7.00 at Walmart for the large jar.





Post# 198018 , Reply# 18   8/29/2012 at 13:20 (4,248 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

thanks. ive been wet sanding it and that takes forever. i will try it. i already tried nevr dull and it didnt work that well but it still worked

Post# 198028 , Reply# 19   8/29/2012 at 13:42 (4,248 days old) by kirbyguy (Columbia, MO)        
Wet Sanding?

Wet sanding the metal finish? EEEEKS.

If the finish is that discolored/dull or rough. Also use 000 (triple zero) steel wool along with the Mothers Aluminum Polish.

This will really cut right through the build up on the aluminum finish. I will suggest wearing a pair of rubber gloves when using both the polish and steel wool together. This will really turn your fingers black. The machine will shine up great. However, you'll have black fingers and finger nails for a week. Been there done that.


Post# 198032 , Reply# 20   8/29/2012 at 14:39 (4,247 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

thanks

Post# 198468 , Reply# 21   8/31/2012 at 21:32 (4,245 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
Vacuum Needs

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Evan,

You should go on to the eBay Store called "Vacuum Needs."

~Ben


Post# 198470 , Reply# 22   8/31/2012 at 21:41 (4,245 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        
Wet sanding...

eurekastar's profile picture

actually does work pretty well.  When I've had some pretty deep scratches on a nozzle casting, I would start with a pretty course grit sand paper and gradually work to a very fine grit used for wet sanding.  Then I would put it on the bench polisher.


Post# 198473 , Reply# 23   8/31/2012 at 22:02 (4,245 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

im not entirely shure on how to search a seller. if you could provide me a link to there store that would be great. and i have been wetsanding with 220 grit for the scratches and i got the deep ones out on the right side of the head.

Post# 198830 , Reply# 24   9/3/2012 at 01:06 (4,243 days old) by pdub ()        

Ben, I tried searching for Vacuum Needs on ebay and couldn't find it. I did however find a store on ebay called Kirby Needs. Is this the store you mean?

Here is the link:


CLICK HERE TO GO TO pdub's LINK on eBay


Post# 198831 , Reply# 25   9/3/2012 at 01:10 (4,243 days old) by pdub ()        
Evan,

Here is an interesting auction I cam across on ebay just by typing in the seach box: "Kirby parts"

Maybe this listing has some things you are looking for.

Good luck!

Patrick


CLICK HERE TO GO TO pdub's LINK on eBay


Post# 198865 , Reply# 26   9/3/2012 at 08:37 (4,243 days old) by kirbyguy (Columbia, MO)        
Kirbyneeds on eBay is correct.

The seller Kirbyneeds on eBay is correct.

I've purchased many, many items for my vacs over the years, especially for my vintage Kirby's from this seller who's name is (Kent) Kent's actual store/vacuum shop is located in Utah.

If for some reason Kent doesn't have a particular part in his shop, he will try and find the part for you through other resources. Kent is even kind enough to send written step by step how to instructions with many of his part orders. I.e. how to install bearings, new fan blades etc.

I do have his direct business e-mail and phone# if you need it. Let me know. However, the majority of his vac and part sales are now through his eBay sellers store.



Post# 198868 , Reply# 27   9/3/2012 at 08:58 (4,243 days old) by kirbyguy (Columbia, MO)        
Kirby Needs info update.

Just looked at Kent's business card.

Kent goes under the seller name of (Kirbyfans) on eBay.

His general web site is under the name of (kirbyneeds)


Post# 198927 , Reply# 28   9/3/2012 at 14:14 (4,243 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

ok i found him on ebay.

Post# 200563 , Reply# 29   9/13/2012 at 18:23 (4,232 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

im only 13 so i wasnt born. though if you could post a link to the magazine or post pictures of the magazine that would be cool


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