Green stuff on Fatboy handle?

[Deiki]

I just received my Fatboy that was recently purchased off the 'Bay and attempted to clean it. I used detergent, boiling water, scrubbing bubbles, and finally toothpaste and a brush. It is mostly clean, but there is still some green gunk on the handle and what seems like rust on the razor compartment. Pictures from the auction.

I was wondering how I can completely clean off the green stuff and rust to leave a really shiny razor.

Some of the green came off when in the detergent and the scrubbing bubbles didn't clean much. I'm assuming it's nickel oxide? It's not bothering me too much, but who wouldn't want a shiny "new" razor? The "rust" is really stuck on to the blade area too. I'll get some pictures of the rust if needed.

 

[mark_mw]

Use fine steel wool - the green stuff will go away, revealing brass underneath. The rust cleans off and usually nickel is left.

 

[Deiki]

I'm just worried the steel wool might rub off too much of the nickel plating.

 

[mark_mw]

No, it won't - the green is verdegris on top of brass - the nickle has worn away there already. On a mint mirror polish, the steel wool will make it duller, but that's not a problem for shaver grade razors.

 

[fidjit]

More Toothbrush and toothpaste ( preferably someone elses Toothbrush )

Keep scrubbing and the green should go.

A toothpick may also come in handy.

Should get into the little grooves and you can see what's underneath

 

[Alacrity59]

i use a plaque remover tooth picker...the curved one, gets right into grooves.

Too late at night for that picture . . . I'm not going to be able to sleep now . . . queue the Psycho music.

 

[dpm802]

I had mysterious green stuff on an Aristocrat that I bought at an antique store. Scrubbing Bubbles didn't remove it. Neither did an old toothbrush. I just figured I was stuck with it, and tossed it in a drawer for several months.

The next time I cleaned my razors, I soaked them in Simple Green for about an hour, rinsed, scrubbed with toothbrush, and repeated several times. This worked, and the Aristocrat came up cleaner and shinier than I ever imagined it would be.

Note: My green stuff may be different than your green stuff. My Aristocrat had a gold finish, but I don't thing that matters. In any case, Simple Green is the best cleaner I've found for razors, although its not an instant treatment, and you have to repeat it several times for best results. Keep swishing the razor around in the solution every few minutes, and when you repeat the process, always start with a fresh batch of Simple Green. Finish it off with ten minutes or so in Barbicide.

 

[zclake]

ultrasonic cleaner with simple green would work probably.

 

[Pioneer]

David - Do you dilute the Simple Green, and if so how much? And is this Simple Green APC? While I am all for enviro-friendly solutions, I don't see much in here that will clean these razors well - but hey I have never tried it so I won't knock it. This is the same stuff at simplegreen.com right?

 

[dpm802]

David - Do you dilute the Simple Green, and if so how much? And is this Simple Green APC? While I am all for enviro-friendly solutions, I don't see much in here that will clean these razors well - but hey I have never tried it so I won't knock it. This is the same stuff at simplegreen.com right?

Yes, I use the SimpleGreen All Purpose Cleaner, available everywhere.

As for diluting it, I usually spray a full strength solution all over the razor and let it sit for a few minutes, then pour distilled or filtered water over the razor just enough to cover it. Agitate it every few minutes, and let it sit in the cleaner for 20 minutes to an hour.

I don't know what the dilution ration is. Perhaps 1:20, but its not critical. You won't hurt the razor by using too strong a solution, and SimpleGreen can be diluted quite a long way and still be effective.

It is important to use a fresh batch with each cleaning cycle, and I usually put it through at least 3 cycles with a razor I just got from an antique store. Once its been thoroughly cleaned and used by me for several months, it can be refreshed with just 1 dunking.

Again, use an old toothbrush on the stubborn spots, and finish it off with Barbicide, isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or some other disinfectant.

 

[Chester]

Go buy a brass brush... a smallish one... one like a toothbrush for a velociraptor... maybe with a head 5cm long by 1.5cm wide or so. Soak your razor for a day in simple green, then dip your brush in it and scrub. Follow the lines of the knurling pattern, and work in both directions. No need to press very hard. The nickel plating won't be harmed. If you're down to brass anyhow, it won't be harmed, either.

 

[THAW]

I'm trying the Simple Green thing on greenish stuff on a Fat Boy handle I just received. My $4.20 BuyItNow eBay win!! The razor is wonderful but it has a little green on the handle. Hoping for good results like yours!

Btw if you have rust DON'T USE BAR KEEPERS FRIEND on gold razors!! It took the gold off a razor of mine and went down to the brass. It was only on the razor for less than a minute and I was using only a washcloth and toothbrush. Luckily it was a very small patch and hard to tell. I tried Diet Coke on a very old rusted safety razor which didn't work (but worked on another razor with a very thin drip-like rust) and neither has vinegar plain or with baking soda added. Never used Simple Green before. I found some under the kitchen sink a someone in my family had bought though.