Cleaning and repairing the Shellac clear coat on Vintage sewing machine heads
#626
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
#629
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,822
I've not read this whole thread, but am starting on it tonight. So, the answers may already be here.
I realize I've had a couple of misconceptions. I thought the color on a sewing machine was shellac. (Someone questioned me on that yesterday.) Now, as I re-read some of this, now I think maybe the clear coat is the only shellac part. If so, what kind of paint is under it, or does it matter (if you are touching up bare metal)? Someone has a "featherweight touch-up paint" on Ebay that is acrylic and I know that's not original.
When a machine develops a "crinkle" in the finish, what has happened? Is that the clear coat or the entire finish (old Pfaff)?
bkay
I realize I've had a couple of misconceptions. I thought the color on a sewing machine was shellac. (Someone questioned me on that yesterday.) Now, as I re-read some of this, now I think maybe the clear coat is the only shellac part. If so, what kind of paint is under it, or does it matter (if you are touching up bare metal)? Someone has a "featherweight touch-up paint" on Ebay that is acrylic and I know that's not original.
When a machine develops a "crinkle" in the finish, what has happened? Is that the clear coat or the entire finish (old Pfaff)?
bkay
#630
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2,609
Crinkle finish is caused by the machine being subject to hot and cold like extreme heat in the summer in a barn or attic.It could be in the Japan finish or in the shellac. Test the clear coat with a dab of alcohol and if the finish becomes sticky and melts your clear coat is shellac.
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