The HEPA exhaust filter is the last thing between a Rainbow E2 and the room, and it is the part owners notice only when it stops doing its job. This is the oval HEPA filter for Rainbow E2 Type 12 machines built after serial number 010, the same part sold under the R12647 and R12179 numbers. Owners buy it when the original has loaded up and airflow has fallen off, or after a washing attempt left the media damaged, foaming, or permanently damp.
Built for
- Routine maintenance on a Rainbow E2 Type 12 that has lost airflow or started passing fine dust
- Allergy-sensitive households where exhaust filtration is the whole reason for owning the machine
- Replacing a washable filter that was cleaned with soap or reinstalled before it fully dried
- Restoring a used or inherited Rainbow whose filter history is unknown
- Keeping a spare on the shelf so a filter problem never sidelines the vacuum
Check the serial number before you order. Rexair splits E2 parts by serial range, and this oval filter with the rectangular connector is the one for units after serial 010. The earlier range uses a different filter, and the two are not interchangeable. If your machine came to you secondhand, the serial number is on the data plate on the main body.
These filters are designed to be rinsed and reused, but long-time owners on vacuum forums are candid that washing is finicky. Detergent left in the media foams on the next run, and a filter that goes back in before it is dry can make the motor sound wrong. The advice that comes up repeatedly is to rinse with plain water only, dry the filter thoroughly before reinstalling, change the water basin often so the filter loads more slowly, and simply replace the filter on a schedule rather than fighting a marginal one.
Specifications
- Part numbers: R12647, also listed as R12647B and R12179
- Fits: Rainbow E2 Type 12 units after serial number 010
- Shape: Oval, rectangular connector opening
- Type: HEPA neutralizer exhaust filter
- Care: Rinse with plain water only, dry completely before reinstalling
- Brand: Rexair Rainbow
Frequently asked questions
How do I know this is the right filter for my Rainbow?
Check the serial number on the machine's data plate. This oval filter fits E2 Type 12 units after serial 010. Units in the earlier serial range use a different filter and the two do not swap.
Is R12647 the same as R12179?
Yes. Parts sellers list the same oval E2 Type 12 exhaust filter under R12647, R12647B, and R12179.
Can I wash it instead of replacing it?
It is designed to be rinsed and reused with plain water. In practice many long-time owners replace it on a schedule instead, because soap residue causes foaming and a filter reinstalled damp can affect the motor.
How often should it be replaced?
There is no single published interval. Vendor and owner guidance ranges from every couple of years to every few years depending on how heavily the machine is used and how often the water basin is changed.
My filter foams or the motor sounds different after cleaning. What now?
Stop using the machine. Run it briefly without the filter installed to see whether the noise follows the filter. If the sound is still there without it, have the machine looked at by a service center rather than replacing parts.
Discount Cleaning Products is an authorized dealer for the commercial cleaning and surface-prep brands we carry, with US-based support from people who work with these machines every day. If you are unsure whether this part matches your model, send us the model and serial number off the data plate and we will confirm the fit before you order.
