Thread: Cleaning razors around black etching and gold wash

I know that gold wash will come off if you use any type of metal polish. What is the best way to clean up a razor with gold wash if you want to save the gold wash?

I have some razors that have black etching on the face, like old wade and butcher or similar to the new dovo best quality logo. How do you go about cleaning them up? Is there a way to clean it and keep the black etching?

No matter what you use as soon as you start wiping over the etching you're in danger zone.
If you want to use anything always use a product that's not abrasive like Maas. and be extremely gentle when going over the etching.
Eyeball the etching when gently applying and slowly rubbing Maas for example. If you notice that the etching is diminishing immediately stop.

Will taping the etching work? Just thought of that. I'm afraid of electrical tape taking away the gold wash when peeling it off and scotch tape not having enough sticking power.

Anyone done this? I've got a dovo with some scratch marks right next to the gold that I want to get rid of.

Originally Posted by Leighton

Will taping the etching work? Just thought of that. I'm afraid of electrical tape taking away the gold wash when peeling it off and scotch tape not having enough sticking power.

Anyone done this? I've got a dovo with some scratch marks right next to the gold that I want to get rid of.

I haven't covered the gold wash for that reason, but I have covered gold wash when taping a razor for honing.... Honestly even though I have literally done this hundreds of times now with no problems, I still wince when pulling the tape off......

It amazes me at how delicate gold wash is. Or, maybe it doesn't amaze me.

Just last night I was doing some minor cleaning on a vintage round point razor (I forget the distributor name) titled "The Three Presidents" It has a gold wash picture of Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley. I rubbed Ren Wax over the razor and gold wash. From what I can tell, the ren wax didn't take off any of the wash whereas when I originally got the razor about a year ago, I took some Flitz to it. And even going lightly, it did alter the gold wash a bit by making it fainter. And, like Max said...I stopped immediately.

Chris L

You have to remember that in the scheme of things gold leaf and gold wash are the two least durable ways of applying gold. leaf will come off if you look at it too long and the wash ain't much better. I think its best thought of as a temporary decoration which will stand as long as you don't have to touch it.

so the gold wash is really easy to take off, but what about the black etching?

is that black etching decently applied? I guess I could try just some soap over it but it might not be harsh enough.