Cleaning and repairing the Shellac clear coat on Vintage sewing machine heads
#221
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2,609
Miriam is right those white spots are where moisture and dirt got under the shellac. Clean the machine and then use my french polish process. they will go away and smooth out and fill in with the shellac. Wipe down the machine with naptha and then clean all decals with sewing machine oil and then do the french polish. This will shine the machine and add more protection for the decals.
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#222
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 4
Thanks for the info. I am new to this and couldn't find a description - what is the french polish method?
I want to try your method but I'm scared I'm going to damage the machine...do you have a video showing what you do?
Also, what do you think of using Blue Magic's TR-3 Resin Glaze (dab it with a cotton ball and rub on machine a lot) - someone else used it and got good results.
I want to try your method but I'm scared I'm going to damage the machine...do you have a video showing what you do?
Also, what do you think of using Blue Magic's TR-3 Resin Glaze (dab it with a cotton ball and rub on machine a lot) - someone else used it and got good results.
#223
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
Thanks for the info. I am new to this and couldn't find a description - what is the french polish method?
I want to try your method but I'm scared I'm going to damage the machine...do you have a video showing what you do?
Also, what do you think of using Blue Magic's TR-3 Resin Glaze (dab it with a cotton ball and rub on machine a lot) - someone else used it and got good results.
I want to try your method but I'm scared I'm going to damage the machine...do you have a video showing what you do?
Also, what do you think of using Blue Magic's TR-3 Resin Glaze (dab it with a cotton ball and rub on machine a lot) - someone else used it and got good results.
You can try the Blue Magic's TR-3 Resin Glaze if you are more comfortable - it's your machine.
#225
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
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Glenn, my machine did not do well with French polish - I think it is the lack of any kind of finish on the machine. Should I brush on some shellac then polish? HOW? Does it get thinned? Should it be applied straight out of the can? It seems like it is just the bottom of the machine - the arm seems a bit better - well at least it looks shiny. The bottom just doesn't look right.
#226
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2,609
Glenn, my machine did not do well with French polish - I think it is the lack of any kind of finish on the machine. Should I brush on some shellac then polish? HOW? Does it get thinned? Should it be applied straight out of the can? It seems like it is just the bottom of the machine - the arm seems a bit better - well at least it looks shiny. The bottom just doesn't look right.
#228
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2,609
Lighter fluid(zippo cig lighters) is the same thing. Our Lowes carries naptha. If you can't find neither just clean the surface with warm water and a soft rag with a little dish soap. The rag should be damp and not wet. You really need the maptha or lighter fluid to clean any oils left on the machine. You can also wipe it down with damp rag with denatured alcohol lightly to remove any oil but be careful with the decals. I use old white t-shirts and old whitie tighties for this.
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#229
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
Lighter fluid(zippo cig lighters) is the same thing. Our Lowes carries naptha. If you can't find neither just clean the surface with warm water and a soft rag with a little dish soap. The rag should be damp and not wet. You really need the maptha or lighter fluid to clean any oils left on the machine. You can also wipe it down with damp rag with denatured alcohol lightly to remove any oil but be careful with the decals. I use old white t-shirts and old whitie tighties for this.
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