Cleaning and repairing the Shellac clear coat on Vintage sewing machine heads
#121
Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 3
I'm ready just to take off what I put on there, touch up the decals, and just spray lacquer on it......I'm at wits end, bad enough the lower part of the cabinet was ruined from a flood in my basement, refinished that myself and it came out great, that's when I started to clean the machine.....
#122
Take a break, step back away from the machine and try it another day. Whatever you do, don't take it too hard, everything is fixable! I've seen some pretty bad machines that were rescued and made to look brand new. Have you found someone to help you yet?
Joe... Glenn.... can one of you help?
Joe... Glenn.... can one of you help?
#123
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
I think Glenn is having a yard sale in the cold & rain today. Be patient he'll be around. Christine is right chill a bit. Can you give a bit of details - what is going wrong? Pics? We successfully did a couple - using Glenns' method on the paint/shellac for a finish. It is easy to work with and you don't have a big mess with spray when you are done.
#124
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2,609
Hi,
I'm new and I'm very upset about my machine......I just wanted to clean it and now I've ruined it and I don't know what to do! I think I seriously have to find someone that can restore the finish on it. It's my favorite machine to sew with. Anyone around Albany New York that does restoration?
I'm new and I'm very upset about my machine......I just wanted to clean it and now I've ruined it and I don't know what to do! I think I seriously have to find someone that can restore the finish on it. It's my favorite machine to sew with. Anyone around Albany New York that does restoration?
The old brown stuff you think is smoke is shellac that has yellowed and turned brown with age. This is the normal result of natural age and the patina that comes with it. I really need to see a pic so we can see what is going on.
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#125
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2,609
Most people try to make the old machines look new but you will not be able to. You can clean them up and make them look good but you will not be able to hide the age. This does affect the sewing. Most be try to over restore and they end up with more trouble.
#126
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2
Hi! I just bought a Domestic Treadle this week and want to restore the machine and the cabinet. I can't find the thread about restoring the cabinet and was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. Also, once I take the rust off the 'shiny' metal parts, what is protecting it from rusting again? The Brasso? Or just routine rub down it machine oil? Will cleaning the rust off remove the engraved numbers on the front bobbin plate? (Some kind of chart?)
#127
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2,609
Hi! I just bought a Domestic Treadle this week and want to restore the machine and the cabinet. I can't find the thread about restoring the cabinet and was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. Also, once I take the rust off the 'shiny' metal parts, what is protecting it from rusting again? The Brasso? Or just routine rub down it machine oil? Will cleaning the rust off remove the engraved numbers on the front bobbin plate? (Some kind of chart?)
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#128
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2
I can't upload any pictures from my computer, only URL. Maybe I'm too new? Here's the whole cabinet from my Facebook page.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]376911[/ATTACH]
Edit: Uploaded machine to FB, then linked URL...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]376912[/ATTACH]
Has original instruction book (flaking apart), accessories + box, and moves freely.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]376911[/ATTACH]
Edit: Uploaded machine to FB, then linked URL...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]376912[/ATTACH]
Has original instruction book (flaking apart), accessories + box, and moves freely.
Last edited by Eggie; 11-16-2012 at 12:22 PM.
#129
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2,609
Very nice cabinet and machine. First the decals are nice so only clean them with sewing machine oil and cotton balls this will take a while. Now for the cabinet it needs to be cleaned with the solution one in the tutorial. Then repair any loose veneer if any. Then we can add shellac in the areas it is worn off and we will do this with a rag shellac and linseed oil. The tutorial will explain if you have question just post them and I will glady help you thru it. But first the cabinet has to be cleaned good so we can evaluate the finish but it looks pretty good in the Pic.
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