Thread: Wapi - Fixing staining on the scales

Recently I acquired a NOS Wapi with the stainless steel scales and wrapped in oil and waxed paper. I guess it had been in that condition for a long time as the scales are yellowed and show marks from the paper and oil. I've tried to remove the marks and polish it up with metal cleaner but to no avail. Please, give me some suggestions as to how I may remove the stains. Thanks.

Most people change those scales because they throw the razor off balance. They can be polished up with a little mothers or polish of your choice and steel wool, either synthetic or metallic. Start with the higher grits and work down only as far as you have to to remove the marks, then work back up to remove any scratches.

If you were using a polish/cleaner meant for soft metals it may not do much. What are you using? Consider using your current polish with 000 steel wool to apply the polish.

Jonathan

The stains you have a similar in kind to the "bluing" of a fine gun. Consider that the stain is well into the metal and will take a good long time to remove. A sheet of 3K grit wet or dry paper from and auto supply store will give the extra oomph you need. Then, many car and home type polishes work well.
"Barkeepers' Friend" stainless polish will be start also. I have used that. I have four Wapis and they are great shavers. They are a bit harder to hone and shave with due to the heavy scales. I've rescaled two, so far.
a blog on it:
a-look-at-bar-keepers-friend-general-purpose-cleaner

If you sand the scales lengthwise with a 400 grit wet or dry paper and keep the sanding uniform, it will leave a nice satin finish which contrasts well with the polished blade.
A uniform polish to the whole razor looks, in my opinion, a bit boring.
I agree with others that the balance of the Wapi is unusual

Many thanks to you guys. I'm going to go get some steel wool and try again. BTW I have tried Bartender's Friend but it didn't help. As to the blade balance, for me, it's ok. So go figure.