I finally got a Singer Lotus Decal Machine
#21
You'd be amazed how much damage plain water can do. Most of us can tell a horror story or two about an early experience "cleaning" decals off machines . . . That is why we all say "READ THE STICKY" before you start as what may seem a gentle way to clean may not give the results one expects. Normally we clean them off using sewing machine oil. It will clean off the grim/dirt/dust but does not harm the decals, as usually the shellac overcoat is degraded.
#22
Here is one of those "opps".
This is my Lotus 66-1
While cleaning it, my husband took off the belt guard with the bobbin winder attached. He decided the bobbin winder was so grungy he'd toss it in the sonic cleaner (just water, nothing else in it) and he had a brain lockup and forgot the about the belt guard until after it hit the water. He pulled it out and gave it a wipe, and it was too late.
We've been looking for a replacement for about a year now, and just last night I hit "buy it now" and finally have one on the way!
This is my Lotus 66-1
While cleaning it, my husband took off the belt guard with the bobbin winder attached. He decided the bobbin winder was so grungy he'd toss it in the sonic cleaner (just water, nothing else in it) and he had a brain lockup and forgot the about the belt guard until after it hit the water. He pulled it out and gave it a wipe, and it was too late.
We've been looking for a replacement for about a year now, and just last night I hit "buy it now" and finally have one on the way!
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
I have a collection of fountain pens, some from the 1920s even. I knew a pen collector in Phoenix who used an ultra sonic cleaner with a special pen cleaning solution to remove dried up ink from the pen points. Worked superbly. However we found out it would take gold plating off the steel nibs, so we learned a big lesson that day.
Joe
Joe
#26
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 169
For the finish, try TR3 from an automotive store. I got mine at Pep Boys. Doesn't have any fumes either. About a million cotton balls, patience, and small circular polishing will bring it to great shine with no harm to the decals. I have cleaned a really bad Lotus and it came out terrific. It takes patience going over and over until the cotton balls come clean. For some reason, soft rags don't work as well. I highly, highly recommend it.
#30
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 15,506
I know nothing about restoring old machines but I know a thing or two about dusting my furniture. To me, the completely uninitiated, it looks like a gentle wipe with a damp cloth would reveal those stunningly preserved decals. If I had come across a machine as beautiful as this I would grab it in a heartbeat. Wouldn't matter to me if it ever sewed another stitch. It would simply be in a place where I could see it, and smile at it's beauty, every day. Please do share a picture of her after she's been cleaned up.
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