Thread: cleaning old DEs

Hi all,

I've purchased several vintage DEs. Some are clearly nickeled but have lost their lustre: do you know what's the best way to clean them ?
On my straights I use Maas, but I'm not certain this is not too agressive on nickeled steel (don't want to lose the plating).

Maybe this is more a 'workshop' item but 99.99% of the stuff over there is about straights, so i decided to put it in here.

Thanks !!
Wim

Spray them down with scrubbing bubbles and let sit for a half hour or so. Rinse in hot water and repeat if needed. Using and old toothbrush to get out some of the stubborn stuff works well also.

Thanks!

I actually had to look that up because I didn't know 'scrubbing bubbles' is actually a product !? I'll try to find an equivalent product over in Europe ...

I'd try any liquid dish soap and a toothbrush and it might work just as well.

... basically nothing abrasive then.
Okay, can do.

decraew,

The CIF bathroom/shower cleaners are very similar to Scrubbing Bubbles.

I have used the CIF cleaners on my safety razors with excellent results

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Toothbrush (old head on electric toothbrush with care).
Soaking in non aggressive detergents.
A little boil if they are not too precious.
And best of all, an ultrasonic cleaner.

Yes, an ultra-sonic is great as long as you're not dealing with plating that is loose or coming off which can be an issue with vintage sometimes.

Ladies and gentlemen:

Last year I bought several old Gillettes — Red Tips and Slims — at a flea market. The razors looked as if they had been dug up from a swamp.

I bathed them, for about a minute or so, in boiling water with a touch of vinegar. That removed much of the gunk. Then I gave them a nice bath in hot water and dish soap — and scrubbed them with an old toothbrush.

A gentle rubbing of Maas metal polish and my swamp DEs were ready for a beauty contest.

I sold them all, except for a Red Tip, which I gave as a gift to my guitar teacher and friend.

Regards,
Obie