Safest way to clean inside of a TTO mechanism?
- Thread starter Gunky
- Start date
You could put it in some boiling water to soften/loosen the crud up, then soak it in some household/bathroom cleaner like CLR or Lime Away (the one I use) for half an hour or so...or shoot it up with Scrubbing Bubbles.
It could be hard water scale, so the cleaners I suggested will get rid of it very well.
It could be hard water scale, so the cleaners I suggested will get rid of it very well.
I had one of the 1st year Fatboys with the nut on the bottom so it could be taken apart.
The barrel was full of petrified shaving cream which was as hard as concrete.
The barrel was full of petrified shaving cream which was as hard as concrete.
While I agree with Buster's recommendations in general, I need to say that:
1) Don't boil a gold-plated or plastic/resin razor. Boiling a gold razor removes the protective lacquer on gold plating and may discolor and/or melt plastic or resin.
2) Don't use any kind of polish on a silver-plated razor, use the aluminum foil and baking soda method described elsewhere on B&B.
2) If you have any painted or plastic surfaces on your razor, CLR, boiling, and even a major soak with Scrubbing Bubbles might remove or damage these surfaces. SB is the least damaging and should be OK for such things as adjustable dial numbers etc. but even there, go slow, check regularly, and rememeber: it's always easier to try it again than to ruin something forever!
1) Don't boil a gold-plated or plastic/resin razor. Boiling a gold razor removes the protective lacquer on gold plating and may discolor and/or melt plastic or resin.
2) Don't use any kind of polish on a silver-plated razor, use the aluminum foil and baking soda method described elsewhere on B&B.
2) If you have any painted or plastic surfaces on your razor, CLR, boiling, and even a major soak with Scrubbing Bubbles might remove or damage these surfaces. SB is the least damaging and should be OK for such things as adjustable dial numbers etc. but even there, go slow, check regularly, and rememeber: it's always easier to try it again than to ruin something forever!
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I shaved with a TTO for over 15 years and in the end you loose when you want your razor clean...
I am in love with the original 3-piece design for simplicity and the easy cleaning.
This doesn't help you a bit, I know. An ultrasonic bath maybe?
I am in love with the original 3-piece design for simplicity and the easy cleaning.
This doesn't help you a bit, I know. An ultrasonic bath maybe?
I have used an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner with a mild detergent and hot, but not boiling water. Unclogs most everything from a gunked up TTO.
+1 on Buster's suggestions and Wingnut's cautions. Initially, try just giving it a soak in hot water with a little dish soap (I use Fairy liquid), that will dissolve a lot of residue.
I use a oil/lubricant that is petroleum based. My oil of choice is Tri-flow. The petroleum will help cut through a lot of gunk(think of people cleaning with a kerosene soaked rag), and things like Tri-flow have teflon in it, which will also lubricate the razor. I also find Barbicide will help cut through gunk as well, and is meant to soak razors and other kinds of cutting tools in.
Hi,
To remove 'residues', soak in a warm, 10% solution of hand dish-washing detergent overnight. Repeat if necessary. Rinse with warm water.
For best and most efficient cleaning, use an ultrasonic bath.
These ultrasonic baths are ideal for cleaning TTO razors
After cleaning & drying, you may want to consider some lubrication of the twist screw threads as the other posters have mentioned.
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
To remove 'residues', soak in a warm, 10% solution of hand dish-washing detergent overnight. Repeat if necessary. Rinse with warm water.
For best and most efficient cleaning, use an ultrasonic bath.
These ultrasonic baths are ideal for cleaning TTO razors
After cleaning & drying, you may want to consider some lubrication of the twist screw threads as the other posters have mentioned.
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
Barbicide is used as a disinfectant, and that's all it does.
Get your razors clean by other means first, then dip it in Barbicide as the final step. Only leave it in Barbicide for a few minutes, otherwise discoloring of the metal may result. After the Barbicide bath, rinse with water and let dry.
Try soaking in Scrubbing Bubbles. Its made to remove deposits including soap,etc and its fairly mild. Comes in different scents. Doesn't harm anything. I have used it in many razors with no problems.
Are you sure its not designed to be that way? TTOs will give some resistance during the last quarter-turn when closing. This ensures that it is not just closed, but locked.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's my experience that the only TTO's with that "last quarter turn" thing going on are the adjustables like the Fatboy, Slim, or Black Beauty. I haven't experienced that with any of my flare tip or 40's style SS's. Am I not getting these razors as tight as I should be?
a bath in warm water with dish soap in a ultrasonic cleaner is where i begin ,after it's dry i throw some ballistol in every hole and i move the mecanism until it"s smooth like butter .it works great .graphite lubricant is another option .
