Is it normal or not?

[Lady_Aristiana]

Hi!

I bought a Fat Boy from eBay for hubby. We're trying to restore it, and I wonder if that's the best we can achieve, or, if make it even better is too expensive, if it's usable.

2 problems:

1- On the handle (sorry if I don't use the proper term), there's a kind of yellowish-goldish color. I tried to clean it with a toothbrush, it doesn't go away.

2- On the head, there's a lot of scratch (I don't mind) but there's also some part that look less shiny. It doesn't show a lot on picture but on person, it's clearly there.

Pictures 4 and 5 and only to show you the rest of it.

 

[jtb]

Hi!

I bought a Fat Boy from eBay for hubby. We're trying to restore it, and I wonder if that's the best we can achieve, or, if make it even better is too expensive, if it's usable.

2 problems:

1- On the handle (sorry if I don't use the proper term), there's a kind of yellowish-goldish color. I tried to clean it with a toothbrush, it doesn't go away.

2- On the head, there's a lot of scratch (I don't mind) but there's also some part that look less shiny. It doesn't show a lot on picture but on person, it's clearly there.

Pictures 4 and 5 and only to show you the rest of it.

The Razor looks like it's in pretty good shape. You could try soaking it in scrubbing bubbles, then try the toothbrush. It could just be brass showing through also. As far as it being shiney, I don't know if there is much you can do about that, remember the razor is over 50.
You should try to do a babicide or marvicide soak before using it. It will disinfect it.

 

[bonusmarple]

The yellow is the brass showing. Gillettes were built with nickel plated over brass. Eventually, the nickel will wear off and you will see the brass. Your husband won't care since you went through the effort of cleaning up the Fatboy which is a classic DE.

 

[SRock]

The yellow is the brass showing. Gillettes were built with nickel plated over brass. Eventually, the nickel will wear off and you will see the brass. Your husband won't care since you went through the effort of cleaning up the Fatboy which is a classic DE.

 

[Blue58]

I agree that the gold color you are seeing on the handle is where the nickel has worn off and the brass is now showing through... the wear on the top is normal for a razor this age and I think this just gives the DE razor more character,

I also agree that it would be a good idea to use barberside or some good serious disinfectant before using the razor.. I am new here but I think you can find the barberside here on B&B or links to a site that does have it.

Other than that I think you got a very nice razor and your husband should be very happy to have it. also if you need blades for your new DE razor you can find links in the other forums here in B&B of sites to get any number of blades for the DE. I would recommend getting one of the sample packs so your husband can find the blade he likes the best.

 

[DavyRay]

Very good photos!

Scrubbing Bubbles and a toothbrush are all you need. That stuff will kill anything on the razor. Brassing is normal on all used gear, from old Ni kon F-body cameras to old Gillette DE razors. It is a badge of honor for a well-used tool. It's like patina, only it isn't dirt.

 

[Lady_Aristiana]

I already soaked it in Scrubbing Bubbles twice, following B&B guide on how to clean a razor. It helped a lot. Then I used some Cameo powder...

I realized the eBay pictures shows the wear I'm talking about. Especially the 4th picture. http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320559230751 Though, I don't mind the wear, as long it's not caked dirt, I can live with it!

The box is pretty beat up but it's not broken. The razor "box" is rusted, IMO, good only for being thrown in the garbage.

 

[alabamalawyer]

The cleaning process (which I think I got from here) I used for some old DEs was:
1) If not a gold DE or one with plastic parts . . . put in boiling water for few minutes.
2) Following that I would soak it in a mixture of CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust) cleaner and water. I would then clean it with a toothbrush.
3) Polish it with a metal cleaner like Blue Magic or Maas. I use Q-tips to get around the head of the razor.
4) Rinse it off and soak it in barbicide solution

I had good results with this.

 

[Luc]

It looks like it's in pretty good shape yes. I don't think you can get it better than that.