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Thread Number: 44281
/ Tag: 80s/90s Vacuum Cleaners
I now own a Kirby |
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| Post# 460944 , Reply# 1 3/4/2023 at 12:53 by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana) | ||
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| Post# 460945 , Reply# 2 3/4/2023 at 13:44 by human (Pines of Carolina) | ||
Yes, they do have a tendency to multiply when you're not paying attention. That machine should clean up quite nicely. I've always liked the G4 color scheme. When I hand washed the outer bag on my G3, I just used a small amount of liquid laundry detergent and it worked just fine. The thing you don't want to do, especially with it still all together, is put it in the dryer. Just hang it out on the clothesline or some other sunny spot. My preferred drying spot is the tool shed on the side of my house, which also contains the gas water heater. It stays kind of toasty in there and a bag will generally dry overnight. Even if you need a few parts, it's still a sweet deal.
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| Post# 460946 , Reply# 3 3/4/2023 at 14:27 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
Awesome! That's my second all time favorite Kirby but definitely my all time favorite tech drive Kirby and in my opinion the best Kirby that's ever been sold:)
Personally, I'd wash the outer bag in the washing machine. I've tried doing it by hand before and the washing machine just does a better job. There's tutorial videos of one person that did his before. But you can still air dry it out, it doesn't take very long to do. | ||
| Post# 460959 , Reply# 5 3/4/2023 at 21:50 by bikerray (Middle Earth) | ||
Here's a picture of my G4
The bumper is just stretched over the nozzle. The stripe is a lavender color.
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| Post# 460960 , Reply# 6 3/4/2023 at 21:56 by human (Pines of Carolina) | ||
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The bumper would be the same dark gray as the rest of the G4's plastics. The factory photo at the link below shows what looks like a white accent stripe. If you order a bumper for a G4, it should be the correct color with the correct stripe.
The G-series Kirbys had the following color schemes: G3: very light gray G4: dark gray G5: burgundy G6: black G7 (aka Ultimate G): medium gray CLICK HERE TO GO TO human's LINK | ||
| Post# 460961 , Reply# 7 3/4/2023 at 22:41 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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| Post# 460965 , Reply# 9 3/5/2023 at 02:11 by Caligula (Nutrioso, Arizona) | ||
Kirby G-4.
Hi JustJunque:
Congratulations on getting a great Kirby. I have a G-4 and love it. The small things you speak of have been part of the Kirby since the early days. Most likely they are the inflator/deflator, and the massage cup. Also, a coupler to activate the motor when the hose is on the exhaust instead of the Sani-Em-Tor. Also there should be the lifter grip, or portable handle. The inflator/deflator is for blowing up toys, air mattresses and the like. And got the kids amused if they watched the home demo with their parents. The massage cup is primarily for use on the scalp, though has a myriad of uses too long to go into here. As to the shampooer tank. The shampooer, originally called the Rug Renovator was not part of the Kirby parse, it, like the Miracle Head, and Handi-Butler were extras, but most people bought them anyway. And as with the inflator/deflator drawing in the kids, the butler was a way to get the husband interested. And it worked. I think you'll really like your G-4, these really are great machines. Alex Taber (Caligula was the cat shown in my avatar.) | ||
| Post# 460969 , Reply# 11 3/5/2023 at 09:04 by human (Pines of Carolina) | ||
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Barry wrote:
I'm starting to see how it could be fun to tinker with them. They seem kind of user friendly. I reply: I've thought the same about Kirbys ever since I first saw a home demonstration of a Classic Omega when I was about 10 years old. It looked like so much fun to be able to configure it in so many different ways. I was very disappointed when we didn't get one back then. I would have to wait some 40 years before I rescued my first Kirby, a Gsix, from beside a dumpster. And now, almost a decade later, I have more than a dozen of them. Scary.... The bumper just slides on. It's very easy, but you have to take the bottom plate off first. It might be that you could do that and replace the brush roll at the same time. And while it's all apart, it would also be a great time to do some polishing on the floor nozzle. Mission creep is a thing when working on a Kirby. One task inevitably leads into the next. Even if Kirby doesn't offer the dark gray bumper, you might be able to find one NOS (new old stock). There are bound a few of them still around. Over time, Kirby has a tendency to follow Henry Ford's example on replacement parts, offering them in any color you want, as long as it's black. The black one won't look bad, if that's all you can find, but if it's for a Gsix, it will have a bright yellow stripe on it, instead of lavender. It probably wouldn't look bad, and it's just tape, so you could even peel it off, if you don't like it, and maybe even find some lavender or white tape at a craft supply or maybe an auto parts store. | ||
| Post# 460970 , Reply# 12 3/5/2023 at 09:14 by human (Pines of Carolina) | ||
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| Post# 460971 , Reply# 13 3/5/2023 at 11:47 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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Kirby also quit putting colored strips on their bumpers. You could still find a new grey bumper for the G4 while they're available but they definitely won't come with a strip anymore. I had bumpers replaced on both of my G4 machines a few years ago and neither of them came with a strip. They did this to reduce cost because Kirby has been on a decline.
www.goodvac.com/Kirby_G4_... | ||
| Post# 460974 , Reply# 14 3/5/2023 at 13:28 by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana) | ||
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Also you can just get an entire replacement nozzle. They show up on eBay every now and then. This one sold for only $12.00.
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| Post# 460991 , Reply# 16 3/5/2023 at 22:22 by Caligula (Nutrioso, Arizona) | ||
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Hi JustJunque.
The parts with the screen like thing, could be the cap to turn the sprayer into the Suds-O-Gun, or parts from the Rug Renovator that does the same thing. If you post pictures I can tell if these are even Kirby, but if they are I'll know it on sight. I was a training manager for several Kirby branch offices starting with the Classic III. Here are a number of Kirby models in my display room back in 1986.
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| Post# 460997 , Reply# 18 3/6/2023 at 12:12 by human (Pines of Carolina) | ||
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The middle item is a safety cover that allows the machine to run when the rug nozzle is removed and the hose is connected where the bag would normally go, in order to use it as a blower. The item to its right of it is the massage/pet grooming cup; however, I'm drawing a blank on the piece to the far right.
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| Post# 460998 , Reply# 19 3/6/2023 at 12:21 by Hoover300 (Kentucky) | ||
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| Post# 460999 , Reply# 20 3/6/2023 at 12:24 by Hoover300 (Kentucky) | ||
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Post# 461004 , Reply# 21 3/6/2023 at 13:50 by JustJunque  (Western MA) |
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Is the massage/pet groomer just what it is, or is this just a part of it? I tried YouTube, but the only Kirby massager I see there is the turbo tool that's also a sander. | ||
| Post# 461005 , Reply# 22 3/6/2023 at 14:10 by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana) | ||
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Part 1 - sprayer nozzle for suds gun for shampooer Part 2 - dispenser cup and cap for the shampoo tank Part 3 - Air intake / safety cover for the motor intake when using the shampoo system Part 4 - head and scalp massager / upholstery agitator / pet hair comb Part 5 - Not 100% definitely sure on it, but it looks like part of the mounting plate for a kitchen sink faucet (see photos attached). | ||
| Post# 461010 , Reply# 23 3/6/2023 at 16:18 by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN) | ||
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"Part 3"-- --placed on the front allows motor to run with hose on exhaust to use suds gun shampooer for upholstery or car interiors but not needed for carpet shampooer. | ||
| Post# 461011 , Reply# 24 3/6/2023 at 16:27 by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana) | ||
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Post# 461012 , Reply# 25 3/6/2023 at 16:29 by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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Hey, Husky, LOL. It sure does look like that faucet mounting plate! I was so busy trying to figure out what kind of vacuum part it was, that would have never even crossed my mind! | ||
| Post# 461015 , Reply# 26 3/6/2023 at 18:48 by Lesinutah (Utah) | ||
You 
Got everything and part of a kitchen sink.
I attached a link for a power nozzle with trim that looks original . The belt liftervyou could swap around as needed. My 3rd kirby and my first g series. I did a complete overhaul brand new everything. In think there might be different gears or something for the transition to fix slipping with tech drive that's common on g3 and g4. Great pickup. CLICK HERE TO GO TO Lesinutah's LINK on eBay | ||
| Post# 461016 , Reply# 27 3/6/2023 at 18:56 by Caligula (Nutrioso, Arizona) | ||
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The massage cup.
This is certainly not new; it goes back to the late 1940's. Nor is it exclusively Kirby. I know that Filter Queen also had one, and I think Air-Way. Don't think Electrolux had one, but I could be wrong.
The part with the screen was exactly what I thought, the cap to turn the sprayer into the suds-o-gun, and the cap to the rug renovator tank. It's a measuring cap, designed to hold the right amount of Kirby suds. The rug renovator goes back to the late 1950's or early 60's I'm guessing the Dual Sanitronic or the D-80. Incidentally the only green Kirby and sold when avocado green was all the rage. I can tell you that both the massage cap and inflator/deflater were placed atop the main box at the start of the demo and had the customers shaking their heads as to what they were. And as I said, the Handi-Butler was designed for the husband who saw great potential of power tools for the workshop. Right, if he could get the Kirby away from the wife long enough. But it did a lot to sell the Kirby. | ||
| Post# 461047 , Reply# 30 3/7/2023 at 18:47 by Lesinutah (Utah) | ||
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Question | ||
| Post# 461059 , Reply# 31 3/8/2023 at 07:55 by jscarlato (Clairton, PA) | ||
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Yes . . . I believe he did use this paint. At the time, if I remember correctly, he told me this paint worked well with that plastic part. Joe | ||
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Post# 461069 , Reply# 33 3/8/2023 at 14:04 by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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Should there be screws? | ||
| Post# 461075 , Reply# 35 3/8/2023 at 15:41 by human (Pines of Carolina) | ||
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Those two screws frequently fall out. The one just above the Tech Drive pedal is exactly the same size as the ones on an electrical switch or outlet that hold the wires in place.
I've had pretty good results polishing my Kirbys with a combination of Mother's and Nev-r-dull wadding. I use some cheapo knockoffs of Scotch-Brite pads. I get them at the Dollar Tree and they're much softer than the genuine article and won't scratch the metal. I've also heard that #0000 steel wool is also a good choice for that purpose. | ||
| Post# 461088 , Reply# 37 3/8/2023 at 21:13 by human (Pines of Carolina) | ||
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Yes, the cord should go under that little loop. My G3 has the same setup and it's a pain. The screw is supposed to hold the cord in place, but it doesn't do a very good job. They improved the design, beginning with the G5 by molding a tab onto the cord, which slips under the trim plate and is held in place by a screw.
The screws themselves are commodity items, available off the shelf at any hardware store. In a worst case scenario, you might need to cut a screw to the proper length. Just clamp it into a pair of Vice Grips with the part to be cut off sticking out the front, and then go to work with a hacksaw. | ||
| Post# 461100 , Reply# 38 3/9/2023 at 08:41 by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN) | ||
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Reply 33,pic 2-- --hole is not for a screw but a cable tie.As above this was much improved on later models. | ||
| Post# 461102 , Reply# 39 3/9/2023 at 09:14 by texaskirbyguy (Plano, TX) | ||
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Rugsucker is right. The cord goes inside that channel and a zip-tie goes in the hole. The screw holding the channel piece is in the other side, out of view. Thanks for clearing that up! | ||
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Post# 461113 , Reply# 41 3/9/2023 at 17:54 by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
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jscarlato | ||
| Post# 461129 , Reply# 42 3/10/2023 at 08:30 by jscarlato (Clairton, PA) | ||
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KirbyClassicIII Yes. I've seen pics of this model. I think that was a good color choice. Back in '78 or '79, I bought a Hoover Concept One model 3105. That was a white and green model. It looked good in that color. | ||
| Post# 461155 , Reply# 43 3/10/2023 at 20:31 by kirbyvacuum (Long Island New York) | ||
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G4 Love the color Love mine | ||
| Post# 461189 , Reply# 45 3/11/2023 at 19:52 by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana) | ||
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Hand polishing will only work if it's not that badly tarnished - basically as a touch up. It will get tarnish off but it would take you forever and as you saw not do very good of a job with badly corroded metal. Your hands can only do so much (unless you have Hulk Hogan's biceps lol) Heavy tarnish and oxidization you need a polishing machine to work down beyond the top layer.
VacLab has a great easy video to follow on how to polish up a Kirby. No sanding needed. Just a couple buffers and a packet of polishing sticks. | ||
| Post# 461231 , Reply# 46 3/12/2023 at 21:21 by human (Pines of Carolina) | ||
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Don't beat yourself up over this... | ||
| Post# 461233 , Reply# 47 3/12/2023 at 22:08 by Lesinutah (Utah) | ||
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The
G series kirbys don't shine like older kirbys.
I recently collected a few vacuums. Old straight suction electro hygiene, vacuette electric, ds 80, 505, super sweep and 2 avalirs. They all run great. The avalirs I tried polishing with mothers may not nope its going to take more time and there not going to shine like the 505 or ds 80. The super sweep is mostly original and it's original paint color. It's got alot of paint missing and scratches. Ib like using the super sweep more than every vacuum except the ds80. The super sweep has 8 wheels 7 black and one green. It doesn't even have the original bag. It's like a sleeper car. They don't paint them. They keep the original look and they run like brand new cars. Imagine ta race between a sleeper car and a new corvette. The corvette loses the race. The sleeper isn't the prettiest but it out performed a new corvette. Try as best you can and use the vacuum and keep it because it doesn't have to be the shinier it works well and your doing the work on it. There's alot more satisfaction using a vacuum you restored more than a brand new vacuum. Warren buffet has had the same house since 1970s and a 80s or 90s model car. He splurged on a cup of coffee and a breakfast treat every day. He'basically invented the best way to invest in the stock market. He was the richest man in the world and could buy anything he wants. I think your doing a great job on the vacuum. Your proud of what you done and nobody will treat it like you. Keep the vacuum and realize not everything has to be new and shiny. People are sometimes a holes. There's been alit of bad weather everywhere and it's like the whole country has been in a prissy mood. I was mean on this board and I walked away for almost a year. I try to help people and be positive. 2018-2020 I lost my mother 11/2/18 and I wasn't talking to her. My dad passed in 12/10/20 and I was there for him the last part of his life. I found him on the toilet passed away. He didn't want anyone to have to clean up his pooh. I also lost my job in 8/2018 I worked 10 years at. There will be bad things happen and there will be mean people. Usually mean people are having a bad day and are taking it out on you. It also comes from people who were insecure with themselve. Keep your head up your a good person with a good heart | ||
| Post# 461261 , Reply# 49 3/13/2023 at 19:29 by human (Pines of Carolina) | ||
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| Post# 461293 , Reply# 52 3/14/2023 at 18:23 by Lesinutah (Utah) | ||
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Link
Use hair hairspray the link explains how.
Don't dry the bag on the vacuum. There can be dust or something in brush roll or dirt and build up going back onto the bag. CLICK HERE TO GO TO Lesinutah's LINK | ||
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Post# 461352 , Reply# 56 3/15/2023 at 20:16 by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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I finished the hand polishing on the aluminum this afternoon. Looks kinda purdy from a distance, in dim light, if you squint. LOL | ||
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Post# 461390 , Reply# 60 3/16/2023 at 19:46 by MIVintageVacs (Royal Oak MI) |
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Hey Barry, Nice work on your Kirby, it looks so much better!
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| Post# 461395 , Reply# 61 3/16/2023 at 21:00 by human (Pines of Carolina) | ||
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Post# 461397 , Reply# 63 3/16/2023 at 21:08 by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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Thank you, Edgar! | ||
| Post# 461399 , Reply# 64 3/16/2023 at 21:41 by Lesinutah (Utah) | ||
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Umm | ||
| Post# 461422 , Reply# 68 3/17/2023 at 20:51 by Blackheart (North Dakota) | ||
Kirby
I think any good collection should have at least 1 Kirby they're an iconic brand.
If you find those water spots are bothering you get some very fine sand paper like 1200 grit wet the spot with polish and sand it until the spot is gone. You'll need to re-polish it afterwards, labor intensive for sure but it's been quite effective. | ||
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