I've read it over maybe 50 times. Did I miss something? I'm not seeing the part that says anything about not getting anything off on a rag, but maybe I missed it.

That's definitely odd behavior, even if the sewing machine oil had been baked on!

What if someone polyurethaned it?

Morganfam7, did you try acetone on a patch of the really hard stuff? If the brown starts coming off on your rag, it might be lacquer?

I thought about trying the acetone when I read about that. I've gotten sidetracked with the foil thing in the front, and the oil gunk under the stitch length knob covering the decal. I've been working on it for two hours today. It looks a lot better, but I'm not finished with it yet. When I get back to that area I'm going to try that acetone. I see where part of the decal on the front has a perfect line like someone shielded that part from spray.

I'm also working on a completely rusted up White Rotary. Parts are soaking in Evaporust. I can't get some screws off yet, but Mr. Wrench is doing his thing. :)

Thanks for the reply! How's your machine coming along?

I'm guessing you are through the shellac and into the black tar stuff you want to leave that stuff alone.

I don't know. This is on top of the decals on back. The gunk I'm cleaning off the front is on top of the decals, too. But, oh, that foil oval looks so much better. On the front, I can use machine oil, and get color on the cotton ball. Not so on the back. Slowly rubbing her back to some of her former beauty.

On a side note, I mentioned this machine when I went to a warehouse fabric outlet this weekend. The sewing machine lady immediately told me that the timing was off. I think she was trying to sell me a new machine. Ain't happening :)

Even if the timing IS off on a vintage machine, it's usually dead easy to put back. What was her criteria for that diagnosis?

Tammi, thank you for writing that! I hate it when someone tries to tell you your "whatever it is" is not any good or needs drastic repairs, or whatever, just so they can sell you something new! I'm just like you -- It ain't happenin'!

Jeanette

There's a dealer/technician like this here in my city. I won't say which dealer but I think his name is Pfred. Every vintage machine that comes in that's the first thing he says. I had a question about one of my machines once and he told me to bring it in and he would fix the timing. I told him there was nothing wrong with the timing. He said yes it was off, he does a hundred or more Japanese machines every year. I said you've got a good racket going and left. Went to another place with a better, much nicer tech(which has since closed:() and after asking me a couple questions, suggested I try a different foot. Bingo, solved my problem.

Cari

acetone should remove any decals you have left.

Some times there is tar from a melted belt or cord on a machine. It comes off with Tar and Bug remover.