Today I came into possession of two Gillette Super Speed razors. They work alright but need cleaning. I have seen a few Super Speeds here that members have cleaned and restored. Any suggestions as to what to use to clean these razors.
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Today I came into possession of two Gillette Super Speed razors. They work alright but need cleaning. I have seen a few Super Speeds here that members have cleaned and restored. Any suggestions as to what to use to clean these razors.
When I was collecting DEs I bought Scrubbing Bubbles in the pump spray bottle and dumped the contents into a Rubbermaid container with the resealable lid. One large enough to put a razor in and it covered with the liquid. I leave the liquid in the container and cover it waiting for the next one. Now I use it on grungy scales on vintage straights.
I leave grungy DEs in there for five to thirty minutes and then go to work on them with a tooth brush. If they needed a polishing I used Semichrome or Flitz on silver and Windex on gold plated razors.
Some guys drop them in mineral oil over night if they are TTO (twist to open) and I have done that. I've also sprayed them with some bicycle lube and it worked well with no ill affect when I shaved afterwards.
Hi,
If you have access to an ultrasonic bath, then that is the way to go.
Soak razor overnight in 10% solution of liquid dish-washing detergent, then sonicate in the detergent solution for about ten minutes.
Rinse and repeat if necessary. This will get the surface cruft off.
After drying, you may want to lubricate the threads of the turning screw.
WRT the polishing etc, I use a small amount of MAAS, and use it very gently.
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
Hello, d.m. ellington:
I have cleaned a number of these Gillettes. Mine were from rummage sales and flea markets, and they looked as if dragged out a swamp.
First, I soaked them in warm water and vinegar; then gave them a bath in dish soap and water, scrubbing them with an old toothbrush. A touch of Moss shined them up. Finally, another soap and water bath and a towel and an air drying gave me almost new razors.
Regards,
Obie
The same as above, scrubbing bubbles though here in the uk something similar and a good bush with a toothpaste, then a good polish and the results are usually first class.
+1 for all that has been said here.
If you are using any abrasive metal polish with old DE razors, use it very mildly. The nickel (or gold) plating is very thin; with too aggressive cleaning you might wipe it out.
If that happens or if the plating was already worn, it is possible to get it plated again, but not very cheap. Also taking DE's like Super Speed, Fat Boy or Valet into peaces before plating might be difficult.
Obie,Quote:
Originally Posted by Obie
What is "Moss"?
Thanks.
Hello, RaiderShaver:Quote:
Originally Posted by RaiderShaver
Thanks for your note. Maas (sorry for my original misspelling) is a metal polish compound that comes in a tube, available at most hardware stores. It's good stuff. Many gentlemen here use it.
Regards,
Obie
Thank you for the help. I'm cleaning up my grandfather's old de razor today. It was just given to me. I'll have to get some metal polish to finish it off. Thanks again.
I soak them in a simple green/water solution for 30 mins or so - then brush them with an old electric toothbrush.
Rinse them off and let them dry. Then I soak them for a few mins in mineral oil just to lube the moving parts (if there are any).
No need for polish - the simple green and toothbrush do a wonderful job on their own.
Is there a way to disassemble a Gillette DE to clean it? I thought there were instructions somewhere on how to do this.
Thanks,
RB
Don't make the mistake I once made. I had a Mercur Futur and I soaked it in a strong bleech solution for a few hours. When I took it out most of the plating was gone and it was full of rust. It went straight into the garbage.
Razorburn,
There were some threads on Badger & Blade (B&B) that linked to site that showed how to dis-assemble a Gillette Adjustable (IIRC it was a Fat Boy)
I can;t remenber the site (old-age !!), but here are some B& B links that might be of use:
Restoration help needed for 1940's SS - Badger & Blade
How do you disassemble a Gillette super speed - Badger & Blade
IIRC there are two (2) means of securing the thread cap on the TTO - one you can un-screw, the other is squished in place, and has to be forcibly removed :(
The easiest, and probably best way to clean Gillette TTO razors is to leave the razor whole, use an ultra-sonic bath.
Soak the razor overnight in a 1 - 2 % solution of dishwashing detergent (the liquid stuff), then transfer the solution and razor into the ultra-sonic bath. Give it three (3) eight (8) minute cycles, followed by an eight (8) minute cycle in distilled or de-ionised water. Let razor dry thoroughly; you might want to lubricate the TTO threads with mineral oil, though many do not.
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ