Cleaning gold plate

[woosorio]

Just purchased a Milord and I was curious if there were any special considerations or extra precautions to be taken when cleaning and maintaining a gold plated razor since this will be a first for me. Thanks.

 

[Oldguy]

Soap and water only. No scrubbing and no polishing. Wipe the cap dry with a soft tissue. Use Q-Tips in the corners. And absolutely do not boil the razor.

Len

 

[woosorio]

Thanks for the advice. Does regular dish soap work or should I be using something else? Any soaps to avoid?

Soap and water only. No scrubbing and no polishing. Wipe the cap dry with a soft tissue. Use Q-Tips in the corners. And absolutely do not boil the razor.

Len

 

[Greybeard]

Dish soap is best. Hot water, not boiling. I use a soft toothbrush and mild brushing as well as q-tips everywhere except the cap. I wipe the cap with an old cotton (t-shirt) rag. I've found that most tissue and paper towel have fibers that can leave very fine scratches in the finish.



- Peter

 

[Oldguy]

Thanks for the advice. Does regular dish soap work or should I be using something else? Any soaps to avoid?

I use regular liquid dish soap. It's mild enough for hands yet cuts right through scum. I mix it with hot water in a two cup glass container so it's a lot more concentrated then what you'd use in the sink. It leaves the razor nice and shiny. I can't think of any dish soap to avoid.

Len

 

[Maher]

I use toothpaste, it is gentle

 

[cmiwa]

I've had luck with just Scrubbing Bubbles. Just a few quick shots, let it rest a few minutes, then rinse with water and dry with microfiber cloth.

 

[Hughies_online]

Some articles on knife forums suggested that certain dish washing detergents promote rust which is why some top brand knife manufacturers don't recommend these products. Check your products carefully.

 

[Hoos]

Some good advice above. Some thoughts from my experience:

Dish washing soap and warm water and a soft toothbrush.

I know longer use Scrubbing Bubbles on gold-plated razors as I believe it may remove some of the lacquer.

Knives and gold-plated razors are different things. Gold does not rust.

Toothpaste is mildly abrasive, as are most polishes.

The gold plating on razors is very thin and they're coated with an even thinner layer of lacquer to protect the gold plating. Eventually, that lacquer wears down anyway. But no need to accelerate the process by using anything abrasive or otherwise remove the lacquer.

Periodic washing and drying with a soft cloth will give your razor a long, beautiful life. Enjoy!

 

[woosorio]

Any brand or ingredient to be wary of in particular?

Some articles on knife forums suggested that certain dish washing detergents promote rust which is why some top brand knife manufacturers don't recommend these products. Check your products carefully.

 

[woosorio]

Thanks for the advice. Anything to do differently once the lacquer has worn off but the plating is still intact? This may sound naive but has anyone ever attempted, or at least proposed, re-lacquering (I assume this could be a DYI project as opposed to re-plating)?

Some good advice above. Some thoughts from my experience:

Dish washing soap and warm water and a soft toothbrush.

I know longer use Scrubbing Bubbles on gold-plated razors as I believe it may remove some of the lacquer.

Knives and gold-plated razors are different things. Gold does not rust.

Toothpaste is mildly abrasive, as are most polishes.

The gold plating on razors is very thin and they're coated with an even thinner layer of lacquer to protect the gold plating. Eventually, that lacquer wears down anyway. But no need to accelerate the process by using anything abrasive or otherwise remove the lacquer.

Periodic washing and drying with a soft cloth will give your razor a long, beautiful life. Enjoy!