Painting in the numbers...

[Live2Ride]

I'm giving this Slim Adjustable to a friend who, like many of us, is fed up with the cost of cartridges. The cool thing: this razor is from his birth year.

Unfortunately... though I've spent some time cleaning it, there's some tough soap scum, (soaking in near boiling water, scrubbing bubbles & Simple Green + tooth brush), it has some brassing (which I didn't see until I photographed it) and the numbers are gone.
View attachment 98208
View attachment 98209
Here are my questions: What else can I do to remove the soap scum? Should I repaint the numbers? Anything I can do about the brassing, short of replating it?

Thanks in advance, Gents!

 

[BBrad]

The purist would say don't repaint or replate, since it would no longer be "original."

In its present condition, it is still able to deliver a fine shave, and still looks to have a lot of life left in it.

Spending the money on a replate/repaint restoration will exceed the acquisition cost of a near-mint example. Really nice Slims can still be found for under $30.

Bottom line, though, is what do you want to do with it? That is what really counts!!

 

[prophetic_joe]

I would not repaint or replate. I would take the cost that would have been spent replating and buy myself a more pristine slim for a collector piece and use this one as an everyday shaver. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Live2Ride]

Appreciate the input, fellows! I realize replating isn't cost effective, but the special thing about this razor is it is my friend's birth year and quarter.

I think you're both right, though: leave it as is - blemishes and all.

Any thoughts on getting the soap scum off? Thanks!

 

[yuppiejr]

If you've been through the dishsoap + boil and scrubbing bubbles soaks I'd say it's time to break out the MAAS polish with a toothbrush, some q-tips and a soft cloth and go to work. ($10 shipped on eBay or less for a tube that will last forever)

With the metal polish, less is more - give it a light polish, clean with soap and water and then inspect - repeat as needed.

 

[Maul555]

clr?

 

[dantodd]

In addition to polishing it you could also put it in a pressure cooker, I haven't tried it but others have said that it gives good results.

FWIW, if I were in the same situation I would probably fill in the numbers. This is a birth year gift and not a collector's piece so keeping it original isn't important. The best way to fill in the numbers is use a low viscosity enamel and a syringe applicator (should be able to get at model shop) put one or two drops in the number and let it flow, this will give the best result without completely filling the number or leaving brush strokes etc.

 

[ghostknife]

Try an Ultrasonic clean, take it to a nice jewelry store or optometrist and ask them nicely if they can do it, they usually have pretty good units on hand. IF you plan to restore some more razors you could pick up your own like this one, it's probably not great but i'm hoping it will work ok. I've thought about painting in the numbers for my own as well after I polished them off trying to remove gunk too, hence I thought I'd acquire a cleaner unit

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270556026492

 

[gobeavs]

Is there a way to repaint the numbers without using the syringe thing?

What's the best way to go about that? I was thinking to blot a little paint on and then rub/clean off the excess w/ some kind of remover after it dries?

 

[Radar O\'Reilly]

Black nail polish. Dab it on the number till it's filled, then wipe off the excess with your finger. It will fill the number, shrink a little as it dries, and is commonly available. If any polish is left on the surface, a few vigorous rubs with a smooth cloth will remove that, but not the polish in the numbers. I use the same technique on my Singer sewing machine.

 

[Radar O\'Reilly]

Try an Ultrasonic clean, take it to a nice jewelry store or optometrist and ask them nicely if they can do it, they usually have pretty good units on hand. IF you plan to restore some more razors you could pick up your own like this one, it's probably not great but i'm hoping it will work ok. I've thought about painting in the numbers for my own as well after I polished them off trying to remove gunk too, hence I thought I'd acquire a cleaner unit

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270556026492

HarborFreight has a unit for about the same price that will hold 2.5 liters and also heat the water instead of the 20 US ounces (little over 2 US cups) that one has. They also have a smaller unit:
http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=ultrasonic&Submit=Go

 

[Live2Ride]

Thank you for all the responses, Gentlemen! Much appreciated.

This morning, I could see going either way. I decided to try the razor and the answer became crystal clear: clean it up a bit more and send it off. It's almost 50 years old and earned the blemishes - just like my friend and, more so me, as I'm 2 years older. If you want perfection, buy NOS - then fret whether or not to use it at all! My wife is under the impression I overthink this stuff...

This is how it looked for this morning's shave:

Thanks again, Fellows! Will let you know how it is received...

 

[Bobtrumpet]

Any thoughts on getting the soap scum off? Thanks!

I've had good success using a shower cleaner designed to remove soap scum (don't recall the brand). Spray it on, leave on for a while, rinse off and buff. None of my razors have a lot of scum so you might try a longer soak and some toothbrush action.

Using an ultrasonic leaner is also a good idea.

 

[Live2Ride]

Gents, thank you again for all the great suggestions. I boiled the razor for 5 minutes. Wow! Would not have believed how much more stuff came off had I not seen it myself. Followed that with scrubbing bubbles, toothbrush, simple green, and polish.

This is how it looked when I shipped it off today (without the rose my 8 year added to the shoot)

Thanks again for the assistance, Gentlemen!