my first treadles of my very won ( 1969) one white one new home both rusted POS's
From then to now 99% of the whites are nasty dirty rust buckets, everyone I know says the same thing.
But Why ? why are whites always dirty rusted. these two are just flat rotten nasty. that 2nd pic's one the VS2 the under side is shinny, bright metal, behind the plates on the arm the rods are bright sliver.
the outside after a gasoline bath, I uncovered three spots of yellow/gold lines, maybe removed 40% of the very rough shellac encrusted dirt or dirt encrusted shellac
This left me with a 70% rusted machine body.an other 20% with rust under the paint pushing that off the metal, only held in place by dirt infested shellac
So, out came the 6" wire wheel and a drill motor, an hour later Bubba white , is now naked Bubba White
conclusions, White didn't Japan these or the FR's , There enameled then covered with a very very heavy coating of shellac
guessing , There shellac was used in a much more pure/natural form than singer used. which cause the shellac to soften in hi heat and collect dirt, over time sagged and collect in corners and thinned in flat ares, which exposed the thin enameling. In time leaving spec holes/tiny holes in the paint.
heat and freezing lifted the enamel with the help of rust.. it may well be japaning it doesn't act like it, but it is thin, The major problem is the over use of that shellac