Thread: Latest on the use of nail polished to protect gold wash

I flicked through a few old posts about the use of acetone(nail polished remover) on razors. My inquiry is slightly different and I'd like an opinion. I have a new razor high carbon steel Thiers Issard c 135. It has a lovely gold wash insignia in the hollow of the full hollow blade. The razors edge, however isn't in great condition and needs bevel resetting. I had a similar razor that also had this type of gold wash, and through the process of honing, I probably used a bit too much pressure when checking the progress of my work, and I unwittingly caused the tarnishing/scratching of the Gold with the cloth I used to wipe it clean. I hear you saying you don't need to use that much pressure or be so regular in checking the blade.
All things being equal, my thought, aligned with old posts of a similar nature is, if I was to put a coating of acrylic nail polish colour not important, would when dry form a barrier between me wiping the blade clean and the Gold. This is especially so when using slurry which is much more abrasive. So, I understand that nail polish remover or acetone will harm plastics on scales, but when I remove the nail polish, post honing with acetone,will it remove the Gold or cause un-wanted damage to the steel? I know to not get it on anything but the steel, so, can I use it in honing?

It would be much easier to put a piece of scotch tape over the gold wash.

I've only heard of nail polish to protect the old Somerset Simpson shaving brush labels that were so prone to washing off and going down the drain. Not gold wash. If you have a lesser razor with gold wash try a bit on one corner and see if acetone will remove it.

i've also heard that you can remove the writing on a blade with acetone if it is not etched but rather printed so be careful of that.

Most damage to the blade etch and plating is caused by wiping the blade between grits and after honing. The fine abrasives are on the blade as a haze.
YMMV
~Richard

Ok, thanks gents. I will go with Jimmys advice and do a test on another blade. Funny enough I don't have any nail polish lying round, so it will be one of 'hers' I will have to use, or buy some from the chemist and some acetone. Thing is, if I get caught with nail polish in my possession, it will add fuel to the fire that's raging about my Kanayama strop collection, and 35 razors is overdoing it? What is the world coming to?

Offer to paint her nails and then slip a bottle in your pocket when you are done......

Test carried out on a Dovo 5/8 Prima Klang, covering it's gold wash (quit a bit on this razor). I used acrylic nail polish, opaque colour of pink, so the polish was certainly covering the entire goldwash. I let it dry for 2 hours. I wet it, and just rubbed the blade dry as if I were cleaning it, and the polish was very hard and robust, and remained intact.
I then used some standard nail polish remover, with a tissue, and simply wiped the polish off in a couple of soft strokes. Took very little effort to restore the razor to its normal state and no damage occurred to either the goldwash or any steel the polish or remover came in contact with. I carefully inspected it 20 mins after I took the polish off, and in sunlight it,(the goldwash) was perfect.
So to clarify for all of us. Nail polish, does cover goldwash and protects goldwash from any damage. It also is easy to remove with nail polish remover, in a few seconds, leaving the razor surface undamaged.
I am confident now to apply it to the steel of any razor, covering gold, so as to hone with slurry, and later when finished the work, it's easy to get off and does the job of protecting the Gold perfectly. I think for you pro's out there who might on occasions be given a rare or valuable razors with intricate gold plating, this seems to provide a significant protective layer, that is apparent when it's left to dry thoroughly. I cannot say however that it won't damage Enamel or paint of a plastic base, on the blade or the scales. It works to protect the steel and gold. I can see a pro putting it on the hollows of both sides of the razor blade to keep the surfaces absolutely mint. Food for thought.
I will put a caveat on my test. This may not work on all surfaces, or with all plating on all razors. My test was on the razor I specified and it's goldwash. Some plating may be different, so be safe if not totally sure.

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