Cleaning Gold plated razor

[nuclear_shaver]

Hey B&B,

I have a few older gold plated razors and I was wondering what the best way to clean it is. I know some platings are very sensitive to cleaning solvents (like alcohol) and some are not; I just wanted to be sure. Normally I just use alcohol and scrubbing bubbles. Thanks!

 

[luvmysuper]

The problem with Gold Plated razors (vintage Gillettes) is that they were covered in a coat of clear lacquer to protect the gold.
Some cleansers can have an adverse effect on the lacquer.
In particular, many of the bathroom type cleansers which work so well on nickel razors are citric acid based. The citric acid can turn the lacquer an orange color, which makes the gold razor seem much darker.
On gold razors, I clean gently with dawn dish soap and hot water. Check your labels and try to avopid the citric acid based cleansers unless the lacquer is gone or nearly gone.
If it is, it can easily be removed completely, and then regular cleaning with soap and water is all that is necessary.

Likewise - polishing gold razors that have the lacquer finish doesn't polish the razor untill the lacquer is worn off, and the gold plating is VERY thin. It's quite easy to ruin a perfectly good gold plated razor by paying too much attention to it.

The Chinese have an old proverb that goes; "You have put legs on a snake"

The meaning being that you have made attempts to improve something to such an extreme that it is no longer the thing it was.

 

[maxman]

That is excellent advice.
You will be able to see the lacquer peeling if it's already starting to wear off.
Most notably on the doors (or top if it's a 3 piece) and on the safety bars.

You can't be aggressive with the cleaning like you can with nickel.

 

[nuclear_shaver]

Thanks for the advice guys! You have have saved me from ruining a almost mint razor! Do you know what effect solvents like isoproinol have?

 

[luvmysuper]

I'm assuming you mean Isopropanol, never heard of isoproinol. If not I apologize.

Any solvent (even water) is bad for lacquer if it is exposed long enough.

A rinse with Isopropyl alcohol should be fine, but I wouldn't soak it at all.

Then again, if you have a gold razor with peeling or spotty lacquer, a solvent will remove it.
When I want to remove peeling and discolored lacquer from my gold razors, I give them a 5 minute soak in EZ-Off Oven Cleaner.
It removes the lacquer completely, but has no effect on the Gold whatsoever.
Not something you'd probably want to do with a pristine razor, or a gold razor that has brassing, as the underlying metal might blacken if there is missing gold.

 

[nuclear_shaver]

Thats what I ment sorry... Thanks! I generally like to give my newly aquired razors a quick rince with alchohol before using.