Anyone use this Metal cleaning product?

[mkevenson]

Has anyone used the Metalwax products seen in this B&B WIKI : Razor cleaning and restoration. To find go to Wiki at top of this page.

Methodologies
Pre-Shave_Prep
Lathers
Shaving
Post-Shaves
Razor Cleaning and Restoration


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I am really tempted but the price scairs me. I want something to clean and shine my gold plated DEs. without damaging the laquer or plating. Also 16oz of Metalwax cleaner or polish is way too much for my meager collection.

Mark

 

[amishmotorboat]

Looks like a broken link.

 

[mkevenson]

Oh, sorry that link doesn't work. I left written instructions instead. here is another link to the Metalwax site:http://www.metalwax.com

I know that the Wiki writer likes this stuff, just wondering if others have tried it.

 

[Sailorman]

I use it. It really works well, but don't worry about 16 oz's.. It doesn't stretch that far, at least when you're doing some really heavy duty cleaning and polishing like I have done lately. I found out a little late that the cleaner goes a long way toward economizing on the amount of polish you use though. Despite that, I like it a lot.

I've used it on some pretty old, thin gold, silver and nickel plating without any apparent damage. Dont' get me wrong; it will take off badly worn gold or silver plating (probably not nickel) with enough elbow grease and vigourous polishing. Probably anything would though, especially on cheapo finishes like on a NEW or Goodwill. All in all, it seems pretty mild and I wouldn't worry about using it for routine polishing of thicker plating like is on the better Gillettes.

I don't think it will hurt gold or lacquer that's in decent shape already unless you go crazy with it, searching for that blinding shine. I know it's less abrasive than simichrome or Nox 7; not sure about Maas. Don't take my word, though. If you want to be on the safe side, call the number on their website. It's a small operation and they'll talk with you as long as you want about a specific application.

Once you get over the sticker shock, it's really a nice product. It shines great and it actually does seem like it leaves a hard waxed finish. Not slippery, but smooth. Or, maybe that's just how fine a polish job it does that water beads up and rolls off and oxidation on raw brass is delayed a good while.

 

[mkevenson]

Sailorman, thanks for the info. I did call the web site and asked if they would offer the product in a smaller size. Seems that they had thought about it too and are offering the triple pack in 8oz bottles for Christmas. They are also throwing in a new improved glass cleaner similar to Glass Wax, for you old farts.
The price is $39.00 + shipping etc. Yes< I spoke to the gentleman and wife who own the company. He says that he has spoken to a few members of B&B, I identified myself as one, and that he was going to make his presence more here on the forums to answer question about the product. My first cleaning, I thought was a goner. I boiled the razor in Vinegar and OxiClean. It turned black. Guess it didn't like the acid in the vinegar. At any rate I had to epoxy the tube handle which was cracked from top to bottom and try to clean her up.
Here are the pics: Oh, by the way, can you elaborate on the plating of the Gillettes? I didn't realize some were better than others, but am eager to learn.

 

[ChinaCoolStuff]

Stumbled on your post searching for ways to clean gunk of a razor. If you don't mind I have a couple of quick questions: what razor is this? And how do you clean soap build-up of a razor? Thanks and best.

 

[Sailorman]

mkevenson,
From what I understand, and looking at my own meager collection, the plating on some of the Gillettes, especially the NEW and Goodwills were a very thin "flash" type of gold plate. I believe Krumholz also goes into this a little in his book. The gold was laid directly on the brass or copper without the base layer of nickel like you see on the higher end Aristocrats, Diplomats, Milords etc. Judging by their lower price and the rarity of Techs with gold finishes in good condition, I suspect it was similarly thin, but I don't have a gold Tech to look at.

 

[mkevenson]

Stumbled on your post searching for ways to clean gunk of a razor. If you don't mind I have a couple of quick questions: what razor is this? And how do you clean soap build-up of a razor? Thanks and best.

This I believe is an Old style head. I am not sure if the handle is a match as this was sent to me as a parts razor. It could be tho as another single ring old style I recieved has the same handle style. As far as soap scum build up is concerned, I clean and polish, with a soft towel, my razors after each use. I take the blade out and dry, placing the blade in the next razor in my rotation. If you are not doing this type of cleaning, then you can use scrubbing bubbles, or tooth paste and an old tooth brush for cleaning, but why let it get that scummy in the first place?

 

[AsylumGuido]

This I believe is an Old style head. I am not sure if the handle is a match as this was sent to me as a parts razor. It could be tho as another single ring old style I recieved has the same handle style. As far as soap scum build up is concerned, I clean and polish, with a soft towel, my razors after each use. I take the blade out and dry, placing the blade in the next razor in my rotation. If you are not doing this type of cleaning, then you can use scrubbing bubbles, or tooth paste and an old tooth brush for cleaning, but why let it get that scummy in the first place?

That is the correct handle for the head. The head is a thicker #102-A style which was introduced around mid-1921, which coincided with the disappearance of the serial numbering on the low end Old Types. These handles, which were also used on all Goodwill and early NEW razors, had a tendency to crack because of the design. The relatively thin barrel fit over the solid neck and knob end was not able to withstand the pressure of contraction in temperature change situations. Older versions (pre-WWI) of the American handle and all British versions of the same design fared much better.

 

[mkevenson]

Thank you for that info. I love learning about these razors.
Mark

 

[ChinaCoolStuff]

If you are not doing this type of cleaning, then you can use scrubbing bubbles, or tooth paste and an old tooth brush for cleaning, but why let it get that scummy in the first place?

Thanks for this. Scrubbing bubbles must be some kind of US product, perhaps someone knows of a generic? My Edwin Jagger is brand new and so is easy to keep gleaming. However, I've noticed that under the head it has already started to tarnish, despite my daily drying, bit odd.

I'll try the search function (doesn't always deliver, I'm finding) to see about the actual blade care: do you wipe the edges, rinse them, oil them or what? The hand-stropping doesn't work for me.

(Apologies for the delay in reply: only just now found out how to find my posts)

 

[timmy]

Thanks for this. Scrubbing bubbles must be some kind of US product, perhaps someone knows of a generic? My Edwin Jagger is brand new and so is easy to keep gleaming. However, I've noticed that under the head it has already started to tarnish, despite my daily drying, bit odd.

I'll try the search function (doesn't always deliver, I'm finding) to see about the actual blade care: do you wipe the edges, rinse them, oil them or what? The hand-stropping doesn't work for me.

(Apologies for the delay in reply: only just now found out how to find my posts)

The do make generic versions of Scrubbing bubbles. look at the ingredients and compare to scrubbing bubbles.

The Ingredients
~ Dimethyl benzyl ammonium cholrides 0.11%
~ Dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides 0.11%
~ Inert ingredients 99.78%


As for Blade care, Blades are cheap enough that I only use them about 4 times with no more care then rinsing them off and letting them dry between shaves.