I wasn't brave enough to soak the whole thing in E-O-R. I took off shiny metal parts and put them in Evap-o-rust - soaked until it looked like the rust was off. If they turn dark you need to use some chrome polish with rust remover in it. A lot of it was old dried oil down there so it was not really as bad as it looked. The moving parts were somewhat protected by dried oil. The tolerances are so close, there isn't room for much rust in the 'moving' parts. I don't like the idea of E-O-R inside the moving parts - maybe it's ok - maybe just me. I also polished up with some chrome cleaner. The black is kind of different to work with. It wasn't terribly rusted so I got a lot of it off with E-O-R but I'm squeamish about wire brushing that or buffing too hard. I think it is just bluing like DH uses on guns. The upper back end was in fairly good shape but I haven't done anything to the motor end of it yet. I put all the pieces back on the machine before I stuck it aside. I had way too much other stuff to do more pressing. E-O-R does not take off old dried oil. You might need a solvent for that. I can see I need to get some solvent and go back at a few places before I move on to the motor end. The chain oil is heavy - I do not recommend it for much other than in situations with all that rust between moving parts. I had to clean it off and then use T-F but that oil had something in it that penetrated and took care of the rust. I kind of worked on that machine when I had some time when I wasn't wanting to start a whole new project. I knew I would only be working on it a little here and a little there. It will be a long time before I get back to that one.

stirs it up a bit more when you shake it - if it only reminds you to shake it...

When it comes to lubricants, there have been so many products sold that purport to offer some miraculous properties that will make them worth the extra money. (Marvel Mystery Oil, STP, 3in1, Liquid Wrench, WD40, ad nauseum). For example, "synthetic" motor oil (I'll admit, I've used them for years in my vehicle) are made from petroleum as well as "dinosaur-based" oil. It's just that there are more processing steps, and in some cases more specific additives. Graphite and teflon have all had their phases in motor oil, but are not largely used, sometimes because they penetrated so well, that they would leak through gaskets. Here's a link on motor oil, synthetic vs. "old school" http://www.consumersdigest.com/automotive/motor-oil
I bought a little needle nose dispenser of clock oil, from a local clocksmith who sells the product online. not to plug anyone but just search for clockoil(.com). Clock oil is also to be used one drop at a time, and you put another drop on in a year, in a hole with a pin, and severe loads, but I don't know that it's not repackaged snail-slime...
BTW, I'm not dissing TF, I use the heck out of it, and their spray, and grease, I'd just like to know what the real differences are between products, not subjected to my usual susceptability to advertising hype...

My former boss used to own an oil lab. I asked him about using the synthetic oils on my machines. He said they are too thick. He said I need a very thin oil on a SM. I showed him the T-F and he thought it was a good choice but since he didn't still have the lab he couldn't tell me much.

Not many gaskets on my sewing machines...

Same idea as the little tiny ball in a bottle of nail polish. :)

The mixture in the T-F bottles will "settle" like oil/vinegar salad dressing. Shaking it up keeps the "particulates in suspension" so you are not just putting on the carrier stuff alone.

I have thought about putting it in a glass bottle to see what happens.

You say it has solvents in it, but it is a good overall lubricant? I have used it without any problems, but didn't realize that it has solvents in it and don't know if that is a good or a bad thing for general lubrication.

Nope, I just shake the heck out it. I've not found it to need an agitator.

Joe

Yes, it is. That is what I use it for. The solvent is there to keep the lubricated area clean. The PTFE is there to add to the lubricating qualities.
I do not use T-F as a cleaner, it's not only too expensive for that, there are better cleaners to be had.


Joe