What do you use for DE cleaning tools?

[dustinm]

I'm tired of the gunk buildup in the knurling of some of the DE's that I've bought, so it's time to figure out a way to get it clean without damaging the handle. In the past, with old cameras that I often buy, I've used toothpicks since they have the point but also a little "give" so they don't damage the finish. With the razors, though, I don't thing they will work so well because the knurling will tear them up too quick. Tonight I tried an exacto blade, which does the trick well when used carefully, but I want something a little thicker to run it down the grooves of the handle to clear stuff out.

Any ideas?

 

[Greybeard]

A soak in Scrubbing Bubbles, then clean with a toothbrush. If it's gold plated then dishwashing liquid and a soft toothbrush.



- Peter

 

[dustinm]

That usually works for most of the cleaning, but there is some stubborn stuff in on some of my razors that it won't take off. I'm probably going to have to sit there and clean each groove individually : . I've already tried cutting down the bristles on a toothbrush to make the brush really stiff, still didn't work. With the exacto blade, I can scrape the stuff off really easily, but the blade is narrow, so I have to move it side-to-side while I move it through the groove.

I'm almost thinking some dental tools would work well. I also thought about plastic toothpicks, but I don't have any and don't know if they are stiff or really flexible.

 

[WhosYerBob]

A soak in Scrubbing Bubbles, then clean with a toothbrush.

+1 Same here.

 

[sandmountainslim]

Nobody uses WD40 and a Brillo pad???
Wp

 

[T Rick]

Initial clean up, besides chemicals, toothbrush, toothpicks and Q Tips. After initial clean up, water rinse and dry after each use, a bit of liquid hand soap if nec., but I'm rotating so many, not much oif a chance for a build up (especially with the thorough rinse and dry after each use).

 

[King of Kailua]

daily post shave - rinse, a relatively brief swish and soak in a jar of 90% ETOH, then air dry until next use.

every couple of days - rubbed down with cloth.

every couple of weeks - scrubbing bubbles and a tooth brush, rinse, then ETOH.

I'll use a bit of Maas with a soft cloth to polish up a tool I may find at a garage sale, etc.

 

[MrGuy]

On old razors that I just picked up, a little dab of a mild metal polish on a terry cloth towel seems to work better than anything else I've tried. I work up and down over the handle, then hold the razor in the towel, twisting the razor while keeping the towel pinched on the handle.
As always, use as light of a touch as possible to avoid damaging the razor, and probably not a good idea on gold plating.

 

[mkevenson]

Just posted a new thread about this very subject:http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=123309

 

[MacMitch]

In addition to playing around with old razors I have been buying old hand tools and restoring them. I have accumulated a good number of products to clean metal. I used Mineral Spirits and a Q Tip to clean up a Slim that my son is getting Christmas but it was in very good shape. Mineral Spirits, Kerosene, WD40...there are many different things that willl help get various Krud off metal. I let old tools soak submerged for days, letting the solvents do their thing, before I start getting physical with them. I like a product called Krud Kutter for getting greasy, gunky, sticky materials off. There is a whole separate category of products for removing rust. Then there is another group of products designed to remove paint and finishes.

The Depot and Lowes have large selections of various products in all of these categories. They will also have nylon, brass and stainless steel brushes that work well on tough areas. It is amazing how much better these old metal tools can be made with the right solvents and a little manual rubbing.

 

[Greybeard]

That usually works for most of the cleaning, but there is some stubborn stuff in on some of my razors that it won't take off. I'm probably going to have to sit there and clean each groove individually : . I've already tried cutting down the bristles on a toothbrush to make the brush really stiff, still didn't work. With the exacto blade, I can scrape the stuff off really easily, but the blade is narrow, so I have to move it side-to-side while I move it through the groove.

I'm almost thinking some dental tools would work well. I also thought about plastic toothpicks, but I don't have any and don't know if they are stiff or really flexible.

If you're thinking about dental picks and not worried about scratches, you could try a small brass-bristled brush. Brass is softer than nickel and won't remove the plating. DON'T use it on gold.



- Peter

 

[curtis909]

A little elbow grease and simple green works for me

 

[DirtyDave]

I like to use a solution of Simple Green and a old soft tooth brush. The Simple Green solution is very good at gently dissolving the gunk and soft too helps clean out the hard to reach spots and leaves the razor nice and shiny.

If you need it, follow up with a bit of Maas or other polish.

 

[Protocol]

Soak in Simple Green overnight and rinse with boiling hot water.

 

[Mojo88]

For Nickle plated razors I have found that a brush made for cleaning the grooves on a golf club works well. One side is brass the other is a very stiff nylon. I usually spray a really corroded razor with scrubbing bubbles and put it in a container with a lid on it for a few minutes. I repeat this process then start with the nylon brush. Most times it is not necessary to use the brass side. I have a stiff toothbrush that I put Maas on for stubborn deposits, used like this it cleans and shines. On the small areas I will use a sandwich toothpick as they are heavier, I then follow with Barbicide and one final polishing. The worst razor only takes a few minutes. It seems that placing the razor in a covered container slows the evaporation and helps it stay wet longer.

 

[xriley]

Soak in Comet bathroom cleaner. Tried it after reading about it on some threads here. Works very well with very little elbow grease. Usually fill a glass up an inch or two and let it soak for a little while. Give it a few shakes while submerged, then let it soak a little while longer.

You'll be surprised.

 

[BBrad]

The key is you don't want to scratch . . . even in the knurled areas of the handle! Even the mildest scratch is a place for dirt, gunk, and eventual corrosion to take hold.

The toothpick method mentioned at the top of the thread is the absolute safest way to get the gunk out of the knurels . . . but it can be slow and frustrating!

 

[dustinm]

Well I went and picked up some scrubbing bubbles, and went to Home Depot and grabbed a pack of wire brushes that included a brass one and a nylon one. I've tried other cleaners and soaked them with no luck, but never tried scrubbing bubbles specifically, so we'll see how that goes.