ALL of the varnish does not HAVE to come off - that old dried up oil varnish is a protective coat - keeps it from rusting - just clean the MOVING nooks and crannies and get lint and dust out - There are some small brushes in the tooth brush section of the stores or an eye lash brush will really get in the cracks - taking the bobbin winder off is a good way to clean without damaging the machine's paint. Not everything needs to be dis-assembled or perfectly clean though - Triflow oil is really helpful to get things moving...