strange red stuff

[SimplerSam]

Hello, New here and have always been interested in old school and simpler ways to live life. I have started this new affair with a Gillette New Goodwill found in a local shop. Cleaned it up real good and let it soak in some iso alcohol over night to sanitize. Shaved with it this morning and was quite pleased with the experience. However, in the crevices of the comb and around some other area there is a very fine red colored substance that almost looks like a coating or varnish. It will not scrub out. Was this a factory coating or something someone else put on or is it old shaving oils that have solidified? Did I do wrong by shaving with it already and am I gonna get some strange disease?

Any help including being made fun of is welcome.

 

[JazzyJ]

Welcome to B&B!

Pictures would definitely help identify what's on your razor.

In the future, soaking in alcohol is unnecessary. Alcohol's disinfectant properties work by evaporation, so you can just dip in alcohol for a few seconds and let dry. The best way to sanitize your razors though (short of finding someone with access to an auto-clave), is to use Barbicide. You can pick it up at Sally's or any other beauty supply store. Be sure to follow the directions, as improper use can damage some razors.

 

[MacDaddy]

Welcome, Sam! It's likely the lacquer that was put on the razor originally to protect the super-thin gold plating that the NEWs had. It may have been clear or it may have always had a slight tint to it to "warm up" the gold, but it darkens with age. Perfectly normal, and even desirable for someone looking for good original condition.

 

[SimplerSam]

Nice, thanks MacDaddy sounds great. New to vintage razors, but I am an pretty extensive collector of other vintage stuff and this one looked pretty good to me. JazzyJ, thanks for the tips on the alcohol, I know about barbacide but I can not use it as it has sodium nitrate in it and I am allergic to it in a bad way. Is there anything else or do you think the iso alcohol got rid of the beasties?

 

[nymtber]

Scrubbing Bubbles (most of us use it to clean up soap scummed razors) also kills 99.9% of bacteria.

I Have just used Alcohol, and I think its fine.

 

[JazzyJ]

+1 on the Scrubbing bubbles.

I'm sure youre fine with the alcohol. It probably hadn't been used for a while anyway. There are plenty of people here that don't use barbicide and no one has died from some crazy razor infection as far as I know.

 

[77TransAm]

Scrubbing bubbles or an automotive cleaner called "Spray Nine". It kills just about everything, read the bottle. HIV, Hepatitis, you name it! It's basically like a scrubbing bubbles without the foaming action, and it's in a Windex type bottle. It works miracles for grease and grime on cars or any surface. I love it. Give it a shot