cleaning old/vintage sewing machines
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How am I supposed to clean up and refinish old sewing machines? I am collecting several old treadle machine heads to decorate my sewing room. I have 16 of them now. They look nice sitting on top of the white wall cupboards in my sewing shop. Thanks for your help.
Replies
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I don't know either and am trying to figure it out. I have found what not to do. Water is a very bad thing, it makes the black turn whitish. And rubbing alcohol removes the fancy design work and not the grease and gook. Please help me too.
*I am looking for an old Singer Featherweight machine. I would LOVE to have one of those. Send one my way if you have an extra one. Paula
*Here's what I used. Car wax! The machine is painted, just like a car. Use a "cleaning" wax. Get an expensive one. Liquid. Xymol is supposed to be very good. So is Meguiers. Just be very careful to keep the wax confined to the outside surfaces of the machine. Don't apply it directly to machine. Put in on a soft cloth and let it absorb into the cloth. Rub softly, let dry and polish with clean cloth. I've removed red dye and scratches with this method. Good luck.
*This sounds like very good advice. You could also ask Frank Smith at the Sewing Machine Museum. The website is /rampages.onramp.net/~arlprosv/museum.htm. He knows a lot about old machines; his email address is [email protected]'s also a Singer Dealer Museum in Oakland, CA. Jim Slaten buys and sells machines and parts, and I'm sure he would have some ideas. He's at 800-474-8433.
*Hi,You may want to go over to Sewing World. There is a very active topic on old machines. If you haven't been there before go to http://www.sewingworld.com/cgi-bin/bbcgi/ultimatebb.cgiThere is a forum under Sewing Machines & Sergers / Singer , with a topic "Vintage Singers". You will find a ton of info, including some about cleaning. You can read any messages but will need to register before posting.((Sorry about the reference to another board.))
*gosh, don't worry about references to another board. we all need all the help we can get....
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