Lacquer problem Aristocrat
- Thread starter larzone
- Start date
In my experience, when you start to see that reddish color, it's usually the plating going away from the razor. So it's probably that.
Do you have a picture?
Do you have a picture?
- Thread starter
- #3
Try to post a picture later, but I noticed this layer on the inside of silodoors. I could peel that layer of with my nails and there are shiny gold under that layer.
i have noticed some red on my handle. i assumed it was stain or maybe ink.
It has been suggested to use a oven cleaner. I've tried this to varying degrees of success. A commercial grade lacquer remover may be the way to go. I stay away from Maas (and like polishes) on the gold plating. The gold plate is very thin.
Good luck,
David
- Thread starter
- #7
As I stated before, there was a thin layer of this stuff on the inside of the silodoors that I peeled off with my nail. I know that Ronson (lighter) sprayed a thin layer lacquer on tablelighters-set, I've seen this on my own collection.
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Well, the only red I can see in your picture are the red circles you drew. But I'll take your word for it.
I had a Diplomat with red lacquer in the knurling. The only thing that got it out was a lot of toothpicks, a knife to whittle them, and some free time.
I don't really see it in your photo either, but what you're describing does sound like lacquer. When it was initially applied it may have been clear or very slightly tinted (to "warm up" the gold tone of the plating), but it goes darker red with age. I've noticed this more often on the NEWs than on anything else, but you'll see it on pretty much any razor that got the lacquer treatment.
Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me, but unless it's a '46-'47 Aristocrat that's lost its endcaps what you've got there is at least a '41 Aristocrat, if not a '40 Regent Tech. They're much less common than their later counterparts, and are certainly harder to find in as nice condition as yours appears to be in. I'd be tempted to just leave well enough alone, personally. As far as I'm concerned aging lacquer wouldn't really affect the value of the razor unless it's very badly distracting, or beginning to flake off (like it sounds like it was on your silo doors). If it's bugging you, though, I'd probably want to test things out on a different razor first if it were me.
Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me, but unless it's a '46-'47 Aristocrat that's lost its endcaps what you've got there is at least a '41 Aristocrat, if not a '40 Regent Tech. They're much less common than their later counterparts, and are certainly harder to find in as nice condition as yours appears to be in. I'd be tempted to just leave well enough alone, personally. As far as I'm concerned aging lacquer wouldn't really affect the value of the razor unless it's very badly distracting, or beginning to flake off (like it sounds like it was on your silo doors). If it's bugging you, though, I'd probably want to test things out on a different razor first if it were me.
- Thread starter
- #11
Unfortunally it's just a Aristocrat with missing endcaps. Came with one off and I removed the other one when I adjust the lifters.
It's lacquer, I manage to scrape some off with a pointy knife but this is not a good way to do it, afraid that some plating wear off.
Yes it is most certainly the lacquer. I've had this on a number of the older gold=plated razors I've had with the lacquer hiding in nooks and crannies and being orange through to red with age.
If I recall correctly I found that penetrating oil/spray that I've used to loosen stuck razors worked well to loosen up the lacquer and then a toothbrush can scrub it out. This shouldn't harm the underlying gold plating BUT...
... you may be surprised how different the plating looks with all the lacquer removed. It seems much 'flatter' or 'duller' in colour.
If I recall correctly I found that penetrating oil/spray that I've used to loosen stuck razors worked well to loosen up the lacquer and then a toothbrush can scrub it out. This shouldn't harm the underlying gold plating BUT...
... you may be surprised how different the plating looks with all the lacquer removed. It seems much 'flatter' or 'duller' in colour.
Ah, OK. In that case you're probably safe with a little bit of experimentation on this one, then.
I haven't personally ever tried to strip just the lacquer off a razor to leave the plating intact, so someone else may have better first-hand advice for you. But if you're looking to strip it entirely so you can re-lacquer it I would try the solvent route first, personally. Anything physical beyond the toothpick approach would run the risk of removing the thin plating.
- Thread starter
- #14
I'll try with oil tomorrow. There's not that much lacquer left so I think it looks like dirt, therefore I want to remove it.
