Thread: A few restoration questions from a newb

Apologies for poor quality of pics...I am travelling at the present time and do't have access to my usual photo gear.

Originally Posted by Whizbang

Apologies for poor quality of pics...I am travelling at the present time and do't have access to my usual photo gear.

When you get home give them all a good cleaning with the Mothers Mag and Aluminum, MASS or other metal polish. Use well crumpled newspaper as it has an abrasive of it's own. I think you'll be surprised with the results.

Post more pictures when you get home. Travel Safely.

Ps; Mothers also does wonders on celluloid scales.

I almost always start with 000 steel wool after a good hosing down with WD40, especially between the scales. Do it over a paper towel to catch the excess.

Steel wool will not scratch the blade, but will remove any loose or built up soap and gunk on the blade including rust and remove all the crud from between the scales without damaging anything.

A coffee stir sticks with steel world wrapped around the tip will get between the scales well.

Then some 600 or 1K Wet and Dry will tell you which way you need to go and not leave deep scratches, 1k scratches will easily be removed with any good metal polish.

Anything below 600 grit will require some work to remove the scratches.

That will give you a good assessment then, decide how far you want to go. They don’t have to shine like new to be shavers.

If you have rust at the pivot, you will have to un-pin to get it,

Here is a good recent restoration thread.

I have restored many DE and SE razors. I usually begin a restore with a soak in hot soapy water (Dawn dish soap)...and a mild scrub with a toothbrush. Is this approach advised for SRs?

Originally Posted by Euclid440

I almost always start with 000 steel wool after a good hosing down with WD40, especially between the scales. Do it over a paper towel to catch the excess.

Steel wool will not scratch the blade, but will remove any loose or built up soap and gunk on the blade including rust and remove all the crud from between the scales without damaging anything.

A coffee stir sticks with steel world wrapped around the tip will get between the scales well.

Then some 600 or 1K Wet and Dry will tell you which way you need to go and not leave deep scratches, 1k scratches will easily be removed with any good metal polish.

Anything below 600 grit will require some work to remove the scratches.

That will give you a good assessment then, decide how far you want to go. They don’t have to shine like new to be shavers.

If you have rust at the pivot, you will have to un-pin to get it,

Here is a good recent restoration thread.

The 000 steel wool you mention...is this just the hardware store grade or is it a special type? And if so, where can I find this type?

Just hardware store steel wool is good. No harm in soaking in hot soapy water, just dry it good before putting it away. Its ok to leave a little patina on the blade. When you get it to the point your happy with it, send it out for a professional honing. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Here is a good recent restoration thread.

Hey I recognize that thread! Thanks. Tomorrow I think I'll revive it with some progress photos.

“The 000 steel wool you mention...is this just the hardware store grade or is it a special type? And if so, where can I find this type?”

Yup, garden variety, hardware, woodworking or even some dollar stores.

Coupled with WD40 it is a great cleaner, scrub your scale then polish with a good metal polish or Novus a great plastic polish. Works well as a final metal polish.

Today I picked up some Mothers Mag polish and some wet dry sandpaper as advised and work on the first razor for about 3 hours. There is some pitting. I am not going to try and remove all of it...would like to leave some character. Still have more work to do...this is the practice razor...the other three I would like to do after I learn on this one.
Sorry for the poor quality pics...I am not at home.

In my opinion you would do better to remove the scales and do a proper removal of rust from the tang and pivot area.