Case restoration. Has anyone out there ever attempted to restore a gillette case? I have a New Standard, and the case is pretty much trashed. Just bare metal with a little bit of rust. There are little tiny bits of black vinyl that are still caught between the overhang of the lid, but that is all. I was thinking I could carefully disassemble and recover the outside with vinyl, and use a spray flocking in deep purple to restore the inside. Anyone have pictures of one of these cases they could post for reference? Any help is greatly appreciated.
New Standard Case Restoration
- Thread starter Blondie
- Start date
I am away from home so I can't post pics but mr-razors site is better anyway. I believe that these were leather cases as vinyl had not been invented in the 20's and 30's.
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- Thread starter
- #3
Where is Mr. Razors site?
Read this page through. CT knows this wonderful tale of the restoration of Luc's razor and case from the other side of the world.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=89251&highlight=purple&page=4
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=89251&highlight=purple&page=4
- Thread starter
- #7
Darjeeling, great story, I have a different case than that though. Mine is like the one Oldguy posted above. From what I can tell from the picture vs what I have, mine is a little more difficult job. I have the case that is covered in vinyl/leather, and I have to construct a new insert somehow. Stay tuned for a post of the current condition.
- Thread starter
- #8
Thanks for the pic. Here is a photo of my case in it's current condition:
As you can see, I have nothing but the bare metal frame. I think I can get an acceptable material for the outside, maybe a thin black vinyl, but I need more photos from different angles, and any ideas from folks about how to construct the liner piece that sticks up just a little higher than the black vinyl. This is a frame up restoration so to speak... The razor as you can see is in WAY better shape than the case, so I guess the case did it's job!
Glad to see you're restoring this. I just put back together a British 15 of mine, so I know how good it can feel to turn junk into something worth keeping
Here's a few different views of the empty case for Phil's benefit.
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Note the rear hinge is covered with a patch of leather.
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Len
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View attachment 63129
Note the rear hinge is covered with a patch of leather.
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View attachment 63130
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Len
- Thread starter
- #11
Interesting that they put a patch of leather to cover any seams on the back. Also, from a tactile perspective, is there a cushion feel to the leather, like there is some padding between the metal case and the leather?
This is going to be a challenge. But a worthy one. I can't wait to see your progress and I send you (our) encouragement and support. Go PC go.
Their is a cushion feel to the leather, mostly on top but not a whole lot, maybe 1/16" or less.
Len
- Thread starter
- #14
Ok, so here is where I am at so far. Just went to Tandy Leather and bought some really thin leather. Went with Deerskin as it was the thinnest they had, and the closest match. I also think it will have the pliability to stretch like I need it to. Went to Joann fabrics and got 1/8 yard of purple crushed velvet and purple satin. Almost identical to the unfaded satin on the back of the gillette card that glues into the top. I am going to use the original Gillette logo card as I have no source to get a gold logo reembossed on the satin. I will try to take photos and chronicle the process. I am planning on sanding or cleaning back down to base metal and then applying the leather to the outside parts, then moving to the interior components. The hardest part will be constructing the inner liner that sticks up a little above the bottom part of the case. Will keep everyone posted. I'm off to the garage to start cleaning/sanding!
Since you have the parts separated, you might consider a chemical rust remover prior to sanding. Something like this might be worth looking into:
Rust Remover
Quick And Effective Rust Remover
Remove rust from any metal surface. Immerse it, let it sit, rinse it clean. Fast, simple and effective. Won't harm copper, brass, aluminum, rubber, plastic or vinyl. Rust Remover is non-toxic, biodegradable and contains no acids or alkalis. It's non-flammable too and contains no petroleum solvents. Rust Remover will also brighten copper and brass.
Rust Remover
Quick And Effective Rust Remover
Remove rust from any metal surface. Immerse it, let it sit, rinse it clean. Fast, simple and effective. Won't harm copper, brass, aluminum, rubber, plastic or vinyl. Rust Remover is non-toxic, biodegradable and contains no acids or alkalis. It's non-flammable too and contains no petroleum solvents. Rust Remover will also brighten copper and brass.
- Thread starter
- #16
Sorry for the lousy photos, using a camera phone right now, will get better pix with Nikon later. My Blackberry is not getting anywhere near the deep purple color that is actually on there. Here is the recovered platform that the razor rests on:
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- Thread starter
- #17
Since you have the parts separated, you might consider a chemical rust remover prior to sanding. Something like this might be worth looking into:
Rust Remover
Quick And Effective Rust Remover
Remove rust from any metal surface. Immerse it, let it sit, rinse it clean. Fast, simple and effective. Won't harm copper, brass, aluminum, rubber, plastic or vinyl. Rust Remover is non-toxic, biodegradable and contains no acids or alkalis. It's non-flammable too and contains no petroleum solvents. Rust Remover will also brighten copper and brass.
I actually did this prior to sanding. Good idea.
- Thread starter
- #18
Heirkb, I was wondering if you would recognize your baby! As nice as the razor is, I was inspired to give it a good home!
That looks pretty damn beautiful already! I'm excited to see what you do with the rest, I can already tell it's gone to a good home
Hmmm...this makes me happy to see. I definitely now know that I'm undeniably a razor dork
Hmmm...this makes me happy to see. I definitely now know that I'm undeniably a razor dork
- Thread starter
- #20
Aren't we all?
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