Goo on razor

I recently purchased a razor that was said to have been "in storage in a warehouse."

When it arrived it was in good shape, save for the fact that it had apparently been coated with some sort of preservative oil at one point. The residue is gooey and clings to the blade in spots, as well as making the razor difficult to open and close.

I would show photos, save for the fact that the stuff doesn't show up (I tried, and it wasn't visualized in the offering photo, either).

It reminds me, in a way, of the cosmolene that was used on firearms. It's also reminiscent of old cooking oil that's been reduced to goo in an skillet.

Any suggestions for removing this stuff? I hesitate to even strop it until I get rid of this stuff. Don't want it getting on a perfectly good strop.

Thanks in advance for any input!

I imagine acetone or mineral spirits will make quick work of it- just be careful about getting it on the scales, as either solvent will do bad things to acrylic, celluloid, finished woods, etc...

I would try alcohol on cloth patches first, as it would be less harmful to the scales, although alcohol is bad for celluloid too. Hold the blade pointing down and wipe only from the tang to the toe of the blade, never toward the scales. If it the really stuck on there, you might try a mild detergent and 0000 steel wool with a little water, same method. My .02. Hope this reveals a wonderful razor!

I would also go with rubbing alcohol. I'd stay away from the harsh solvents, just because they can easily ruin the scales. Goof off might work, too. But again I'd be careful with the scales.

So far, the goo has been resistant to rubbing alcohol. I haven't tried the mineral spirits or acetone.

Both razor and scales are in stainless, so hopefully that alleviates any concern about other chemicals.

Is there a scratching issue with regard to steel wool?

Did you try heating the blade under hot water or maybe (although I hesitate to recommend this), very very carefully over some heat source to loosen it up enough to wipe off the Goo?

You may also want to try using oil (new) to remove oil (Goo)...try baby oil??

-Robert

Bob

WD40 is a great solvent for removing sticky from most things. Spray on a paper towel and rub. Works great on Stainless appliances. I squirt down my BBQ and degrease with paper towels.

Also great for removing the goo after peeling off lables.

Marty

That does sound like the cosmoline we used in the Navy. We used JP-5 (jet fuel -- similar to diesel fuel) to remove it.

Do not use acetone if the scales are celluloid -- it will melt and dissolve them -- unless you don't mind having it rescaled.

Get some white kerosene -- the kind used in Kerosun space heaters -- and give that a try. It should break the cosmoline down without damaging the scales.
Namaste,
Morty -_-

Oops. I replied before I read your second post where you said the scales were stainless.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by M Martinez

Bob

WD40 is a great solvent for removing sticky from most things. Spray on a paper towel and rub. Works great on Stainless appliances. I squirt down my BBQ and degrease with paper towels.

Also great for removing the goo after peeling off lables.

Marty

---

I agree try WD40 it is not as harsh of a solvent or try mineral spirits will work also. I would stay away from the hot water or alcohol as these have a higher probability of damageing the scales. The WD40 sounds like the safest to me

Since the scales are stainless you can use about any solvent you want. Lighter fluid contains acetone and is pretty good IME. Certainly mineral spirits ought to do it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BobKincaid

I recently purchased a razor that was said to have been "in storage in a warehouse."
......
It reminds me, in a way, of the cosmolene that was used on firearms. It's also reminiscent of old cooking oil that's been reduced to goo in an skillet.

Any suggestions for removing this stuff? I hesitate to even strop it until I get rid of this stuff. Don't want it getting on a perfectly good strop.

Thanks in advance for any input!

---

It depends on what it is.... By the sound of it it is
old oxidized preservative oil --

You can apply a little bit of vegetable oil and let
it rest for an hour then wipe off. A couple applications
may be needed.

WD40 is a good goo remover.

If it is a spray on lacquer removal will be
harder but if it is hard to remove it will
not hurt the strop.

You can strop on newsprint for a while
and just toss the top layer of paper.

Try the obvious safe bets -- hot water and
shave soap, mineral oil, wipe with tissue....

I geuninely appreciate all the input. What a wonderful community this is!

At this point, I'm almost 100% convinced it's a cosmolene-like substance. I'll WD 40 it tomorrow and report back.

The other thing I've noticed is that there's a green oxidation on the lower file jimps. Hopefully, that lets loose, too.

If it all works out this is going to be a lovely all-metal piece. Granted, a fingerprint magnet, but sort of space-agey for such an otherwise retro instrument. Soviets. Go figure. It certainly has a personality all its own, complete to the not-quite-5/8s but not-4/8s-either outward angle-ended blade.

Somebody help me. I think RAD owns my soul at this point.

I'd like to see a picture of old stainless scales. Can you take a "whole razor in one" shot so I can check it out?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RobertH

I'd like to see a picture of old stainless scales. Can you take a "whole razor in one" shot so I can check it out?

---

They're "old" scales only in the same sense that I, myself, am old. They were represented to be from the mid-1960s. Everything about the razor seems to confirm that, from the box to the oxidization on the jimps, to the aforementioned ancient goo.

Very cool. I saw you could buy stainless steel scales from classicshaving.com for restoration but I haven't seen a razor using them yet. Original is even cooler! Thanks!

Plain old metal polish should remove it.

That looks like a Wapi / Wapenica from the pic


Spray Brake Cleaner should do the trick BTW if WD-40 doesn't

This thing's going to melt his face off after all these chemicals it's getting dunked into! Haha.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gssixgun

That looks like a Wapi / Wapenica from the pic

---

That would make sense. It was represented as being of Polish manufacture during the Soviet era.

JimmyHAD's suggestion is a good one - lighter fluid also contains naphta that shifts a lot of residues. As the scales are not an issue, again as Jimmy says, use any solvent that works, mineral spirits (methylated spirit), paraffin/kerosine, petrol (in an open space well clear of any naked flames), acetone (nail varnish remover), benzine or toluene (both known carcinogens), xylene and so on.

As Bladerunner says, heat may help. Holding the blade in hot water with a strong dose of detergent in it might do the trick, helped along with a green washing-up scrubby (don't scrub too hard). Don't go to steel wool!

Regards,
Neil

Went with the WD 40 for the first go-round. No luck.

Tomorrow, I try the lighter fluid. Don't worry. No open flames involved.

After that, I'll go after the oxidation on the jimps with some polish.

Anxious to shave w/ it, but my RAD has merged w/ my OCD and the game's afoot!

This is proving to be an interesting little journey!

Worse comes to worse take it to a gunsmith with an ultrasonic and that will get that stuff off if nothing else does.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by M Martinez

Bob

WD40 is a great solvent for removing sticky from most things. Spray on a paper towel and rub. Works great on Stainless appliances. I squirt down my BBQ and degrease with paper towels.

Also great for removing the goo after peeling off lables.

Marty

---

This is what I would try!