Thread Number: 41778
/ Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
Repair and Cleaning of Kirby 515 Corduroy Bag |
[Down to Last] |
Post# 441595   5/7/2021 at 21:06 (1,077 days old) by KirbyOwner (Chicago IL)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Hello, this is a continuation of my other thread "Original Bag Style for Kirby Model 515", which I wanted to branch off and open up to more people who may know about what I need to know.
I recently found an original 515 style bag for my Kirby 515 that I am restoring from its factory rebuilt state. I noticed, aside from the bag being generally worn over the years, there were two main issues with it (Photos provided): 1. Unsuprisingly, the red around the Kirby logo has mostly faded off. I beleive I saw another post talking about a certain acrylic paint that does the job, however I'd just like to ask for myself. 2. I noticed there is a decent-sized hole on the bottom of the bag around the emptor spring. Luckily, it is underneath the lower bag guard, however it is still something I'd like to address if possible. I have not cleaned this bag at all, aside from vacuuming out the inside and giving the inside and out both a light brushing. I didn't want to do any sort of real cleaning until I know what would work best for the bag without potentially harming it. The bag also feels somewhat stiff compared to the bags on my Sanitronic and the other corduroy one on my 1-CR. I'm not sure if this is normal for older bags, or if it is stiff from dirt (This bag looked like it had never been cleaned in its life when I got it) Thank you for any advice, feedback, and or fair warnings. (As you can probably tell, cloth bags are not my strong point. I'm still young, and a beginner collector!) |
Post# 441597 , Reply# 1   5/7/2021 at 22:10 (1,076 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
The bags pre 1961 and older are open top. The material on open top bags are not the same material as closed top sanitronic bags. The sanitronic bags don't have screen printing. If you try to clean the bag the screen printing will flake off. That's pretty much how it is if you want original bags. The bag spring has an inch lip on the inside of the bag. You could patch it with that material. If you pinch the bag together using super glue or clothes adhesive that would fix the spring.
If you have an old bag your lucky. If you have an old bag in great condition it's extremely rare. I don't like any bags Fromm 513-561. I have or had every bag but as good as yours maybe one a little better but you get the point. Get some stencils tape off the bag and use heavy duty paint. If you screen print your better of doing 10-20 bags. I'd buy the black corduroy open top Kirby bag. Either get an embroidery patch or paint it yourself. You won't see any 513-562 Kirby's selling for more than $100 unless original in pristine condition. It's up to you on how much you put into it. |
Post# 441612 , Reply# 2   5/8/2021 at 11:56 (1,076 days old) by KirbyOwner (Chicago IL)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Thank you Les, for the advice and help with this bag. It will be nice to get this bag looking better, and fix the hole before it manages to get worse. I personally like the 1C - 505 and 508 - 512 style bags the most, however, since I am working on bringing it back to the fully original style, this is what I ended up with! At the end of the day I am happy just to have found the bag for this unit.
Since the hole is mostly hidden underneath the lower guard, I'll probably opt for a patch. I'll go talk to my friends at our local paint store, they'll know the perfect paint for the job! Thank you again for your help and advice, and have a nice weekend! |
Post# 441668 , Reply# 4   5/10/2021 at 11:12 (1,074 days old) by Vacmadman (Pueblo Co.)   |   | |
This post has been removed by the member who posted it. |
Post# 441672 , Reply# 5   5/10/2021 at 13:55 (1,074 days old) by Vacmadman (Pueblo Co.)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Quin,
If you email me your address I will send you a little care package to help you complete your 515. Jim
View Full Size
|
Post# 441730 , Reply# 6   5/12/2021 at 08:32 (1,072 days old) by Vacmadman (Pueblo Co.)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 441741 , Reply# 7   5/12/2021 at 17:54 (1,072 days old) by KirbyOwner (Chicago IL)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
Hello, I am so sorry I missed this, I haven't been online in a couple days, as I've been working on other things. I would be very interested in the care package if still possible, I haven't found any of these parts yet! My address is 1630 W 106th St. Chicago, IL 60643. I am happy to pay for shipping as well! Thank you very much for the offer, I am really excited to get even more done on this unit. After this, all I will need for it is an original cord, metal fan, and possibly a new badge plate, but I can make that myself!
|
Post# 441767 , Reply# 8   5/13/2021 at 11:33 (1,071 days old) by Vacmadman (Pueblo Co.)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Quin,
Your very welcome I will try to get it in the mail for you today or tomorrow. I will also send you the belt lifter or badge for the 515 as well. Jim
View Full Size
|
Post# 441768 , Reply# 9   5/13/2021 at 11:42 (1,071 days old) by KirbyOwner (Chicago IL)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 441771 , Reply# 10   5/13/2021 at 12:53 (1,071 days old) by Vacmadman (Pueblo Co.)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 441772 , Reply# 11   5/13/2021 at 13:37 (1,071 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
3    
|
Post# 441933 , Reply# 12   5/18/2021 at 08:23 (1,066 days old) by Vacmadman (Pueblo Co.)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 441934 , Reply# 13   5/18/2021 at 08:31 (1,066 days old) by KirbyOwner (Chicago IL)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
The package did not arrive yesterday, along with any of our mail. USPS delivery in our area is not the most reliable when it comes to timing, along with the fact that we are on the end of a weird mail route. However usually anything that doesn't show up when it's supposed to, arrives the next time the mailman comes. (From my experience it usually arrives the next day or two days after it was supposed to come). So hopefully shooting for today or tomorrow at most, all depends on when the mailman decides to show. None of this is your problem, just wanted to update in case you were wondering why there was no progress so far!
|
Post# 441937 , Reply# 15   5/18/2021 at 09:27 (1,066 days old) by luxz80 (England)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
My 375. Also now takes paper bags. Must keep dirt away as older bags not so easy to find. This is not original but still good. Cord and bag similar colour so decided to keep it as I got it.🙂🙂🙂 |
Post# 441942 , Reply# 16   5/18/2021 at 12:16 (1,066 days old) by Vacmadman (Pueblo Co.)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 441943 , Reply# 17   5/18/2021 at 12:57 (1,066 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 441947 , Reply# 18   5/18/2021 at 16:22 (1,066 days old) by KirbyOwner (Chicago IL)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
Jim,
The package came today, and it was like Christmas morning all over again when I saw it on my porch! After a little cleaning, the parts were all in great condition, the castings looked incredible with just a hand-polish and a little Mother's! The trim pieces and lifter all cleaned right up with APC, and shined so much after I put some 303 protectant on them that they pretty much glow! I am so pleased with this, concidering I was worried I'd never see more red than brown on this unit, and now here I am! I cannot wait to polish this to a mirror, it already looks so nice now! Thank you so much for the parts, and not even charging me a dime for it! Looking at this 515 now just makes me smile, and I have you to thank for that! Gary, There are the pictures below, if you're interested in seeing it. I hope you get as much enjoyment out of them as I did! Also, good luck with your Junior's tool set! Don't think I will do a paper bag conversion, since I'd hate to ruin the originality of the Emptor, especially now that I have the Sweet-Aire insert, but I hope it serves you well, and keeps your bag clean as a whistle! Kieran, Thank you for for your offer! I will definitely concider it and get back to you, either here if I decline, or via email if I am interested / accept! Thank you! |
Post# 441950 , Reply# 19   5/18/2021 at 18:47 (1,066 days old) by Vacmadman (Pueblo Co.)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Quin,
You are very welcome, I'm glad your happy with the way it turned out. Now it looks like a 515 should look. One thing you should change are the back wheels they came from the factory with the flat side on the front, and the hub side in the back, small detail....pictured. Jim
View Full Size
|
Post# 441957 , Reply# 20   5/18/2021 at 22:37 (1,065 days old) by KirbyOwner (Chicago IL)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 441975 , Reply# 21   5/19/2021 at 09:51 (1,065 days old) by Vacmadman (Pueblo Co.)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 442014 , Reply# 22   5/20/2021 at 08:55 (1,064 days old) by KirbyOwner (Chicago IL)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
I stayed up till 1 AM last night, hunkered over the bench polisher, getting the 515 it's first machine-polish most likely since the rebuild in 91. I love disassembling Kirbys compared to other things, since you pretty much only need one screwdriver to get the whole job done! Put it under the buffing wheels with some white and red rouge, and just look at that shine! It was already pretty nice when I got it, but the rouge jumped it over the line between polished and mirror! This was actually my first time using rouge for a larger project, and I absolutely love it!
Also, yes, the wheel screws are mushroom philips-heads. I have yet to find a set of 4 Round slotheads for them. Also, Jim, if you have the time, would you be able to send a nice, clear image of the model plate on the underside of your 515? At some point I plan to refabricate the original model badge on mine, which was snipped of after the rebuild, and replaced with the half fallen off rebuild sticker it has now, however I've never atually been able to find a good reference image of the badge. Thank you very much for your time! (First two images are shortly after I got it, and hand polished it with Mother's. Third and onward are today, after polishing with rouge.) |
Post# 442052 , Reply# 23   5/21/2021 at 09:02 (1,063 days old) by Vacmadman (Pueblo Co.)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Quin,
Here you go. Jim
View Full Size
|