Gillette Blue Tip - Rescued & Replated

[nocutsnonicksnoweepers]

I got a couple of very beat-up Blue Tips that came along with the purchase of a beautiful Rocket HD. I decided to see what I could do with the worst one of them (1956 B3). I am quite happy with the final result - and have done a similar restoration on a Red Tip (also 1956 B3). As soon as I have time to take some photos of the Red Tip, I will post that in another thread.

I also have a Fat Boy (1959 E4) and a Fat-Handle Tech (NDC-trianglular slots) that I plan to replate in the near future.

I am a clinical scientist - with a chemistry background, so I purchased the goods and created my own DIY nickel-plating set up. My other hobby is restoring vintage motorcycles. The basic plating principles are the same - whether it's razors or bike parts.

I started with an ultrasonic cleaning. Next, I buffed and polished with a muslin wheel and jeweler's rouge. Followed by an ultrasonic degreasing/final cleaning. Cleanliness was certified with a water-break test. Then a reverse, electrolytic process to "activate" any original nickel prior to replating. The next step was electroplating to deposit a new, pure nickel plating on the razor. Finally, a rinse in clean water - thorough drying - gentle polishing with soft cloth (no chemicals) - and repaint the TTO knob. Done!

The journey from drab to fab is relatively labor intensive - all steps take a bit of time - cleanliness is essential - preparation is key - and the electrolytic steps must be timed/monitored pretty closely....but the results are well worth the effort.

Please excuse the photo quality of the "Before" picture. It was provided by the seller prior to my purchase. Due to my excitement to start the Blue Tip restoration, I forgot to take my own photos before starting the process. Anyway.....I think this pic will, at least, show the relatively poor condition the razor was in when I got it.

My intent with my restorations is to create nice-looking razors that are meant to be used. They are certainly not perfect like an NOS razor that will likely be for display only. Nope....my restorations are "User Grade Restos" that are aesthetically-pleasing, affordable and functional.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[BubblesTGB]

Very nice! I wouldn't even know where to begin a project like this. That will teach me for studying finance.

 

[duderubble]

Very cool. I'd like to try this with a replating kit from Caswell.

 

[nocutsnonicksnoweepers]

Thanks for the comments, guys. I feel certain that either of you could easily do this. The Caswell kit is a comprehensive way to get started. The kit provides what you need for a basic replate all in one package - thus eliminating the need to purchase separate items (anode, power supply, nickel plating solution, etc.)

The good thing about this process is that - if you are not pleased with your results - you can always have a professional plating company to strip the razor back to the base metal - and redo it. No harm. No foul. I say "go for it" if you wish to try it !

 

[Bobcat]

Very nicely done!

 

[Shutterbug57]

Very nicely done. While, as you note, it is not perfect, it is a far, far cry from where you started and will preserve the razor for many years of use.

 

[demaro]

Beautiful !!

 

[nocutsnonicksnoweepers]

Good call Shutterbug. This razor must have had a rough childhood. As you can see there are some gouges on the guard bar. Probably from contact with a sink edge or a drop many years ago. I made no attempt at grinding metal or using solder paste to fill irregularities in the metal. I simply prepped the existing finish so that it would take fresh plating. It looks much better in person. Macro photography in a light box accentuates any small flaws that don't really show otherwise.

The whole purpose of this resto was to beautify and preserve this razor for years to come. My Red Tip resto looks much better because its condition was better to start with. I'm going to post it as soon as I can take some pics.

Thanks to everyone for your encouraging comments!

 

[brucea]

Really nice! I repainted my red tip recently. I had a problem keeping the line straight. I used tape as a guide but some paint slipped under the tape. How did you keep the line so straight?

 

[BaritoneJP]

I have a blue tip that I need to clean and polish up ...

Nice job!

 

[KindestCutofAll]

Beautiful work. You must be a proud papa.

 

[ERVARGASNY]

That looks Sensational. Good job. Thanks for sharing.

 

[nocutsnonicksnoweepers]

brucea,

I have found the easiest way for me to paint TTO knobs is:

• Wear a jeweler's-style, 10x magnification visor so I can zoom right in on the area
• Use a small artist's brush (squared-off end style is best)
• Make sure there is plenty of paint on the brush (so the paint "flows" and will get in the grooves)
• Put the square edge of the brush as close as possible to where the TTO knob meets the handle
• Gently press down on the brush - so that the brush tip stays where it is - and the bristles bend so that they are parallel to the TTO knob
• Smoothly draw the brush toward the end of the TTO knob
• Rotate razor about 1/8 turn and continue to repeat the process until entire TTO knob is painted
• Open silo doors to create a base - and stand razor on-end (with freshly-painted TTO upwards) until dry

YMMV, but this technique has yielded me a Blue Tip and a Red Tip with no paint on the handle.

If you get paint on the handle, you can fold a paper towel several times so that you get a "stiff" corner - put a small amount of acetone on the corner of the paper towel and remove the unwanted paint a little at a time. Do not flood your paper towel with acetone....because if it runs down onto your freshly-painted TTO, it will remove that paint. Definitely a situation where less solvent = better clean-up.

Good Luck,

Chris

 

[Dools]

That is Beautiful!!

I LOVE the Blue Tips

Thank you for sharing, and, Inspiring.

 

[damhans]

Good work

 

[taco8slo]

Very nice, thank you for sharing about how you accomplished the restore, looking forward to more of your restore stories. I laugh when I see your screen name, that is impressive too.

 

[nocutsnonicksnoweepers]

Happy to share with you, Dools, and the B & B Community. Thanks for the kind words. There seems to be a lot of positivity amongst the members of this site!

I have a Red Tip resto/replate thread coming soon. I have already replated the razor, but I am not quite happy with the tint of the paint for the TTO knob. Gotta tweek that a bit, then find time to take some photos of it.

I am also getting ready to start a major resto/replate of a 1959 Fat Boy that needs a little love thrown its way.

Chris

 

[nocutsnonicksnoweepers]

Erik,

LOL.......You are the first one to comment on my screen name! I thought it was pretty funny when I came up with it, but it is NO FUN if I am on a computer where I have to manually enter my user name !

Hans,

Thanks for checking out my post. I really appreciate that Tech I got from you. Who knows? Maybe I will do a feature on it in the near future!

 

[Pattorashu]

Very nice work, it looks awesome

 

[brucea]

brucea,

I have found the easiest way for me to paint TTO knobs is:

• Wear a jeweler's-style, 10x magnification visor so I can zoom right in on the area
• Use a small artist's brush (squared-off end style is best)
• Make sure there is plenty of paint on the brush (so the paint "flows" and will get in the grooves)
• Put the square edge of the brush as close as possible to where the TTO knob meets the handle
• Gently press down on the brush - so that the brush tip stays where it is - and the bristles bend so that they are parallel to the TTO knob
• Smoothly draw the brush toward the end of the TTO knob
• Rotate razor about 1/8 turn and continue to repeat the process until entire TTO knob is painted
• Open silo doors to create a base - and stand razor on-end (with freshly-painted TTO upwards) until dry

YMMV, but this technique has yielded me a Blue Tip and a Red Tip with no paint on the handle.

If you get paint on the handle, you can fold a paper towel several times so that you get a "stiff" corner - put a small amount of acetone on the corner of the paper towel and remove the unwanted paint a little at a time. Do not flood your paper towel with acetone....because if it runs down onto your freshly-painted TTO, it will remove that paint. Definitely a situation where less solvent = better clean-up.

Good Luck,

Chris

sponcibilit
Thank you Chris ! I was not able to get on here due to work related torture. I will try to remove what I have and try again. If not this is the way I do my painting on any future jobs. Thanks again and sorry for the delay in responding