My first vintage Gillette restore

[Ebtre]

Hey guys,

I just "restored" my first vintage, a 1961 Flare Tip Super Speed if I have understood correctly(G2). When I got it, it was in such a horrible condition that I nearly didn't even want to take it out of the box. Against all advice I found here, I determined I really had nothing to lose and freely proceeded to lightly boil the razor at once. That did a good job of loosening some of the disgusting green gunk which seemed to be at first oblivious to my cleaning detergents. There was no damage nor discoloration due to this. I've now spent two days toying with various European variants of the types of detergents and polishers recommended here in the forums, and have managed to do quite a good job of it, except for the part in my second picture here. The grooves in the flare tip are very tightly packed with black/green stuff and I've managed to scrape most out with sharp metallic objects, but I suppose I need to get a brass brush or something to finish it.

My question is about the first picture here, the edges of the silo doors and the blade holder have lost their coloring, and I suppose that is the real color of the brass(?) metal of the razor showing under the original silver(?) color. Same can be seen partly in the handle pattern. Is the only way to actually restore/fix by complete re-plating of the razor?

 

[highplainsdrifter]

I'm using one that looks like this and it shaves fine. If you really want a nice looking one just keep your eyes on ebay and the BST here on B&B. Flare tips are pretty common you'll be able to pick a nice one up for less than re-plating will cost you.

 

[gangaskan]

you could try using either scrubbing bubbles and a medium toothbrush or maybe baking soda and a toothbrush to get that gunk out of the grooves.


also, refer to this thread, its specifically for restoring a flare tip

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...-to-Cleaning-a-Gillette-Super-Speed-Flare-Tip

and yeah, replating is the only option in restoring the razor to its original state. most of the razors are brass with a nickel coating on it. (i'm not sure if they do copper then nickel, as this is what they do currently to get chrome to stick onto metal)

there are some re plating services on the internet as well good luck! i was thinking of getting my slim plated in rhodium.

 

[cwlsmith]

Everyone says to use Scrubbing bubbles, but honestly this is the absolute BEST process that I have found:

1. Put some water in a pan and start to boil it. Put the razor in a bowl that can withstand the heat of boiling water.
2. Shake some baking soda on top of the razor. Make sure the silo doors are open so you can get the baking soda inside as well.
3. After the water comes to a boil, pour over the top of the razor and let sit for 15-20 minutes.
4. Take razor out and scrub around with a toothbrush. Take some toothpicks and Q-tips to various parts of the razor to get any leftover stuff out (in my experience, there is always VERY little leftover because of the baking soda bath).
5. Get some Flitz and polish that bad boy up.

This is my go-to method every time I get a new razor, and I've tried Scrubbing Bubbles and Barkeeper's Friend and everything.

 

[Ebtre]

Thanks for the replies guys! I honestly don't know what would be the European variant of Scrubbing Bubbles, I haven't at least seen an item named such here in Ireland.
I have a vintage Slim arriving today, which looked to be in a very bad shape as well in the pictures, so I will try this baking soda tip!

 

[Cha-wing!!]

Wow I never thought of boiling my razors... Gotta try this ! Also, do you thin putting them in the dishwasher is a good idea ?

 

[Ebtre]

I was actually discussing this earlier on in the B&B Facebook community in relation to the water being very hard here in Dublin, which makes my razors look horrible stained only after one use. One guy said that he does that every other week, no problems. I don't really see why there should be, cutlery is able to take it as well. Granted they are made for that and usually stainless steel. As long as you're not using extreme temps and your razor doesn't have any delicate painting, I can't imagine what could go wrong.

I suppose one of the main points with the vintage razors is that you don't really know where it's been and who used it, so just the idea of washing it in the same place I wash my cutlery isn't really tempting...

 

[dillon_b12]

Wow I never thought of boiling my razors... Gotta try this ! Also, do you thin putting them in the dishwasher is a good idea ?

Read carefully. The suggestion was not to boil the razor, but to pour already boiling water over the razor. A razor setting on the bottom of a pan as it heats up to boiling can cause damage.

 

[cwlsmith]

Read carefully. The suggestion was not to boil the razor, but to pour already boiling water over the razor. A razor setting on the bottom of a pan as it heats up to boiling can cause damage.

Correct. I never, EVER boil my razors. They are metal, and can withstand the heat of boiling water, but putting them in the pan while boiling can cause some damage.

As to the dishwasher question, I would have to say it depends on the type of razor. If it's a Slim, it's a TTO. I don't know what running it through the dishwasher with all of those moving parts (plus the adjusting knob and components) would do to it. I can't say I've ever tried, so I can't say for sure. I would stick to a baking soda bath for now. See how that works out and go from there.

 

[Ebtre]

One Slim soaking in the soda water as we speak.

 

[cwlsmith]

One Slim soaking in the soda water as we speak.

Can you get Flitz there in Dublin?

 

[Cha-wing!!]

Read carefully. The suggestion was not to boil the razor, but to pour already boiling water over the razor. A razor setting on the bottom of a pan as it heats up to boiling can cause damage.

Woops, yes, read too fast! Sorry guys I'm French

 

[Ebtre]

Can you get Flitz there in Dublin?

I have something called Peek (http://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/acatalog/Car_Cleaning.html) which I found from a Woodie's DIY Home & Gardening store. I figure it's pretty much a similar product.

The Slim came in a much better condition than the Super Speed did, I was very surprised. There was some white soap scum indeed, especially visible in the adjusting numbers. Your soda trick did the job very efficiently, everything is gone. And I have to say, WOW. After applying the Peek polish, what a remarkably beautiful razor it is. The pictures don't do it justice in the pale Dublin evening light; the silo doors are actually very close to being mirrory...

Thanks again for the advice everyone & especially cwlsmith



edit: you can actually see the pattern of the table being reflected off the doors

 

[Arved]

There are guys who use automatic dishwasher detergent to clean radiators in their cars. About the only concerns I'd have running a TTO razor through the dishwasher are:

1. Elimination of any lubricants used to keep the moving parts moving.
2. Possible chemical attack of the brass. Might need some polishing afterward.

I prefer Wright's Metal Polish, both the brass (more abrasive, but significantly less so than Brasso) and Silver polishes. If they work for my $1000+ trombones, they'll work with your sub-$100 TTO razor . An advantage I like about Wright's metal polishes is they are water soluable (unlike Brasso and most other metal polishes), and so the clean up is a lot easier.

I agree with the admonishment against boiling the razor in the pan. Heat is conducted to the water by being hotter than the water, and there's better thermal conductivity between a metal razor sitting on the bottom of a a metal pan than between a metal pan and the water. The worry isn't so much from melting the brass, or even losing the plating, but from relieving residual stresses from the manufacturing operations (especially any stamping operations, which I believe are used to form the covers in a TTO design razor), resulting in warping of the parts.

(Excuse the above geekiness - I'm an engineer)

There are a few companies that sell home plating kits that would be ideal for home restoration of a razor's plating, such as this. However, cost is usually more than all but the most expensive TTO razors are worth. That's not a knock on TTO razors. I think I prefer them to the take-apart razor design (like my Merkur Progress).

 

[celestino]

Great job with the restoration and, as stated, replating would be the only way to fix up those tarnishes showing the brass.

 

[Ebtre]

Thanks for the interesting tech explanation on the boiling indeed! The way I boiled the Super Speed was that I had some water in the pan, and a smaller "pan" made out of kitchen foil sitting on top of it. That decreased the temperature visibly, but then again, boiling probably isn't necessary at all anyway.

You also answered my original question from the beginning of the thread now - I remember seeing similar products marketed in the American Shopping TV program-length-commercials(that were one of the only things running in Finnish commercial television during day-time-hours when I was a kid in the 80's-90's) to restore home silverware.

 

[tacchini]

Thanks for the replies guys! I honestly don't know what would be the European variant of Scrubbing Bubbles, I haven't at least seen an item named such here in Ireland.
I have a vintage Slim arriving today, which looked to be in a very bad shape as well in the pictures, so I will try this baking soda tip!

cif mouse or lysol mouse are the same thing as scrubbing bubbles, the peek polish is the stuff i use, its great stuff,of all the polish i have used peek is the best, the hot water and baking soda is great for getting the old gunk of razors as well.

 

[cwlsmith]

I have something called Peek (http://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/acatalog/Car_Cleaning.html) which I found from a Woodie's DIY Home & Gardening store. I figure it's pretty much a similar product.

The Slim came in a much better condition than the Super Speed did, I was very surprised. There was some white soap scum indeed, especially visible in the adjusting numbers. Your soda trick did the job very efficiently, everything is gone. And I have to say, WOW. After applying the Peek polish, what a remarkably beautiful razor it is. The pictures don't do it justice in the pale Dublin evening light; the silo doors are actually very close to being mirrory...

Thanks again for the advice everyone & especially cwlsmith
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edit: you can actually see the pattern of the table being reflected off the doors

It looks awesome. Glad to help!

 

[Cha-wing!!]

It is indeed superb! Thanks for sharing pics and advice, guys !

 

[dillon_b12]

Great job! The boiling method you used is more or less the same as the "double boiler" cooking technique. It's used in cooking to heat things gently and evenly.