I just purchased a gold NEW that has quite a bit of tarnish, a little tooth gunk, and some light scratches on the head. I've spent quite a bit of time reading various B&B threads on cleaning and disinfecting vintage razors. Lots of IMHO, but no persuasive concensus that I can find. I guess I'm hoping for the voice of successful experience regarding the more vulnerable gold-finished razors like the late 30's/early 40's NEW. Any experts out there?
Cleaning gold Gillette NEW LC
- Thread starter KRpdx
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I have not been able to discover what people use to polish gold aside from Scrubbing Bubbles.
If it is tarnished, I wonder if what you are seeing is gold-colored brass, for which I have read about people using Maas/Flitz/Wenol (I have used Maas and Flitz which work well). I do not believe gold tarnishes, which is one reason why gold may have traditionally been valuable (it is always shiny).
If it is tarnished, I wonder if what you are seeing is gold-colored brass, for which I have read about people using Maas/Flitz/Wenol (I have used Maas and Flitz which work well). I do not believe gold tarnishes, which is one reason why gold may have traditionally been valuable (it is always shiny).
I've been using brasso if there is green tarnish (this is from brass coming through). I don't believe brasso will harm gold. for the gunk I use a little bit of toothpaste and an old toothbrush. Seems to be working. I'm thinking about getting a silver plating kit and just silverplating these, as I prefer the silver anyway. Although nickel might be a better choice for wear resistance.
The best thing you can do for a tarnished old gold razor is to put it out of it's misery and replate it in Rhodium.
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As you may have already read, Gillette used a thin layer of gold followed by a clear lacquer coating. The lacquer coat, when it degrades, is usually what darkens the appearance of the gold beneath. I have successfully removed most lacquer from a razor, but you have to work slowly and progress from the least abrasive method to most abrasive that each particular razor can handle. I usually start with a Scrubbing Bubbles soak (just a few minutes). I then help the Scrubbing Bubbles by using a soft to medium toothbrush. I'll then rinse the razor in warm water and scrub it with a dish detergent and the same toothbrush. Next, if its needed, I'll use a whitening toothpaste with a toothbrush. Be sure to rinse the razor and check your progress often.
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- #8
A lot of people seem to use Scrubbing Bubbles. Sounds like that might be a safe first step.
I know Brasso was reformulated in the last few years, but the datasheet for it still lists a significant quantity of abrasive material. I wouldn't personally touch it for any razor that I wasn't intending to strip to bare metal, especially these extremely thinly plated ones.
Regarding polishing agents I'd like to add that I removed the lacquer layer of a New LC unintentionally using whitening toothpaste.
While this sounds like a good thing I don't know how much of the thin gold layer the toothpaste took with it, so I won't use it again neither on razors nor on my teeth. Forum member and razor restorer onotoman recommended in another thread the use of oven cleaner to get rid of the lacquer layer. I haven't yet had a chance to try his receipt.
While this sounds like a good thing I don't know how much of the thin gold layer the toothpaste took with it, so I won't use it again neither on razors nor on my teeth. Forum member and razor restorer onotoman recommended in another thread the use of oven cleaner to get rid of the lacquer layer. I haven't yet had a chance to try his receipt.
If it's the lacquer layer you want to get rid of why not just soak it in lacquer thinner? They used a solvent based lacquer, probably nitrocellulose so with lacquer thinner or acetone you can remove it all. Just don't use it on razors with plastic parts as some plastics are not thinner proof or dissolve completely (celluloid).
If you remove the lacquer you may want to spray it again as that lacquer was there to protect the gold as the gold layer in itself is not very durable.
If you remove the lacquer you may want to spray it again as that lacquer was there to protect the gold as the gold layer in itself is not very durable.
I am an expert on what NOT to do. I completely stripped a gold-plated NEW before I realized what I had done merely with aggressive use of metal polish.
Since then, when in doubt, I stick to mild dish soap and a soft tooth brush. Even Scrubbing Bubbles can hurt your razor if left to soak in it too long, especially if it has bleach in it.
- Thread starter
- #13
Should all the lacquer be removed even if most of it is intact?
I wouldn't have minded to leave on the lacquer. But as it started to come off when polishing the head cap I just kept on polishing until it had gone there, but left it completely intact on the underside of the base plate.
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- #15
Worked on the razor last night. Felt the tarnish on the handle really wasn't enough to justify stripping all the lacquer at this point in its life. I was ready to roll out the artillery, but thought I would lean toward the safe side:
-30 min soak in hot water with baking soda
-light scrubbing with soft toothbrush and rinse
-3 min soak in Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner (ammonium chloride)
-light scrubbing w/soft toothbrush and rinse
-light brushing w/whitening toothpaste and rinse
-buffing w/microfiber cloth
Wow, what a difference! First razor I've ever attempted to clean up, and I may be hooked already. Redemption is very rewarding . . . thanks for all the helpful input.
-30 min soak in hot water with baking soda
-light scrubbing with soft toothbrush and rinse
-3 min soak in Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner (ammonium chloride)
-light scrubbing w/soft toothbrush and rinse
-light brushing w/whitening toothpaste and rinse
-buffing w/microfiber cloth
Wow, what a difference! First razor I've ever attempted to clean up, and I may be hooked already. Redemption is very rewarding . . . thanks for all the helpful input.
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