Seized Gold Plated Adjustable

[Mark1966]

I scored a gold-plated adjustable Fatboy from the bay recently which arrived today. The only problem is that the adjustment is absolutely seized - no movement at all.

Now I've found threads on dealing with seized adjustables and seen all the threads about cleaning gold-plated razors but none that put the two together. I'm loath to soak it overnight in WD40 or boil the razor for fear of damaging the gold-plating/lacquer over the top.

Anybody with suggestions or experiences?

Many thanks

 

[squirrel_nut_zipper]

Start by soaking in warm, soapy water to loosen what hopefully is just dried crud (old shaving cream). You can also use Scrubbing Bubbles or a soak in mineral oil without any harm. I have done both of these with no ill effects.

 

[Wisdom]

My first Gillette Executive Fatboy had a stuck adjuster.. I disassembled and cleaned it, but the adjuster still wouldn't budge. What worked for me was wrapping the adjuster in a soft cloth and gently twisting it with pliers. I didn't soak it or anything.. make sure it's open or disassembled when you do this so you don't force the adjuster plate against the silo doors.

Didn't leave any marks or cause any deformation and the piece has worked flawlessly ever since.
-\Visdom

 

[maxman]

My executive was seized up too.
I soaked it in scrubbing bubbles and it came loose.

Don't boil it. Please don't do it.

 

[Mark1966]

My executive was seized up too.
I soaked it in scrubbing bubbles and it came loose.

Don't boil it. Please don't do it.

Don't worry, I will not boil it I promise.

I'll have to find the Aussie equivalent of scrubbing bubbles though

I'm not sure though that even an overnight soak will work - this is jammed pretty tight!

I will report back though after I've had a chance to try some things.

 

[Go West Young Man]

There's probably decades of gunk turned into cement in there, so you need to the 'gradual breakup' approach. A couple hours in warm soapy water, work the TTO knob around a bit, back in the water for a few more hours, keep moving the adjustments back and forth. You should start to feel a little bit of give after the first few go-throughs, then it's just a matter of time until everything get broken up and moved out of the razor.

 

[L. Martino]

What worked for me was wrapping the adjuster in a soft cloth and gently twisting it with pliers.
Didn't leave any marks or cause any deformation and the piece has worked flawlessly ever since.
-\Visdom

Bingo! Using a channel lock and soft towel has unstuck a few adjustables for me over the years. I soak the razor in hot water and Dawn for a while before trying that method.

Martin

 

[Mark1966]

Yippee

I now have a working gold-plated adjustable.

Soaked overnight in cleaner and water, refreshed with boiled water a few times to help if along. Couple of pairs of multi-grips over some soft cloth and a few turns later all is good.

Now onto the other one I have where the silo doors are not quite aligned, what to do there.....

Thanks all for advice and help

 

[luvmysuper]

I love it when a thread has a happy ending.

Thanks to all the guys who provided advice here, it's what makes B&B the greatest forum bar none.

 

[Mark1966]

I love it when a thread has a happy ending.

Thanks to all the guys who provided advice here, it's what makes B&B the greatest forum bar none.

+1 (happy forum user!)

 

[braxis]

I am glad that you got it working! One other thing you can try in the future that works and gives a good cleaning is denture tablets. It is gentile on the razors and cleans the mess out of them as well.

 

[ginhud]

Denture tablets - - that's something I've never heard of before! Thanks for sharing! Penetrating oil has never failed me yet either!

 

[wulfgar1976]

I scored a gold-plated adjustable Fatboy from the bay recently which arrived today. The only problem is that the adjustment is absolutely seized - no movement at all.

When I clicked on the thread, I thought it was going to be about the razor being seized by customs

 

[polod]

Same here.

 

[Mark1966]

When I clicked on the thread, I thought it was going to be about the razor being seized by customs

Sorry

Isn't the english language a wonderful thing!