ALUMINUM ON KIRBY VACUUM

You can take it to the nearest Kirby dealer to get it buffed out for about $25. Most of us use buffing pads on a bench grinder. The polishing compound can be found at Lowes or Home depot in the tools area next to the buffing pads. Three compounds are usually used. First a cutter, then a cleaner, then a finish polishing compound. You can get by pretty good with just the last two. Make sure you clean the pads between the different compounds. You can do this by gently placing a flathead screwdriver in to the buffing pad to clean it. Wear safety glass and an old shirt.

Jerry,

I rebuild vacuums and I use a product called Autosol Metal Polish (in a tube) to polish my Kirbys. It is available from many sellers on eBay. THE ABSOLUTE ONLY THING I WILL USE!!! (and I have tried MANY!)

Here's a free guide to laundering the cloth bag if you're so inclined,,,,

http://reviews.ebay.com/DEODORIZING-CLEANING-THE-KIRBY-VACUUM-OUTER-CLOTH-BAG_W0QQugidZ10000000003719865

Hope you try the Autosol, and if you do...just use a teeny (and I mean SMALL) bit on the end of your finger and rub it in a light rapid back and forth stroke for about 30 seconds. Then, take a soft rag or paper towel and polish it back off. You'll be amazed!!!

Marci

BRASSO is a very good alternative. Or, the local Kirby Repairman uses a simple drill bit and you can buy that at HomeDepot or Lowes including the polishing bit that you put on.
Or, a cheaper way is to use Steel Wool which you can also buy at those places but it won't provide as near as the shine that the Drill Bit will, those Drill Bit's have made Kirbys practically mirror's.

You can try Mothers' metal polish or something similar. There are many types of metal polishing compounds available in auto and motorcycle stores. I've used these with varying success when rebuilding used vacs.