Need help with cleaning
 

I read the post about cleaning a vintage machine but it covered the working parts. I found an old singer at an antique store that doesn't work that I want to just display. It's made of cast iron, or that's what it looks and feels like and it's rather dirty. I was wondering what can I clean the cast iron part with that won't cause it to rust. I was thinking just soap and water and dry it really good but wanted to ask the "experts". I looked on singers website and did find out it was made in 1947. I also have one made in 1927 that also needs to be cleaned up.

Thanks!

Look up 'Glenn' and read what he has written on this topic - scroll to the top of your screen and use the search in the upper right
you can also go to the sticky and look at the resource section - lots of good info on there, too

What to use to clean the outside parts always seems to be the hardest information to find. I think that's because so many people prefer different things and what works fine on one machine can totally ruin another. It's a difficult thing to figure out. The one thing you can always use and it will not cause harm is sewing machine oil. Oil works really well on machines that are already in decent condition and the finish is not terrible degraded. If that's the case, then you must read-read-read and pick your products very carefully.

I've noticed a number of times when I read an article on cleaning they will tell you all the things you need to have on hand (except what to clean the outside!)

On another note...display only? Are you sure you don't want to free up the insides and get it working again? :D

I am no expert but got a treadle that was just dirty - not rusted - and I keep it in the house. The fellow in the wrought iron store I went to said cean it with simple green. I didn't do that. I used some soapy water on a damp rag and wiped it clean and wiped it dry and then wiped it more. After I was sure it was dry I used a foam brush and black stove polish. I didn't put any gold lettering back on. It had long disappeared anyway. I am pleased with the result. It did "freshen up" the iron parts. Let us know which method you end up using and post us some pictures!!

To be clear, you're talking about the irons and not the machine itself. I would never use soapy water on an antique or vintage machine with decals.

Cari

Yes, Cari, just the irons. I used some wood restoration products I learned about on this board for the top and drawers, and of course, used only sewing machine oil on the machine itself, which was in pretty good condition and didn't need anything much. It is a 15 and sews nicely.

I just wanted that to be clear for the OP, so she didn't go at her machines with soapy water.

Cari

Good idea. That wouldn't turn out so great!!

PLEASE DO NOT USE SOAP AND WATER TO CLEAN OLD BLACK SEWING MACHINES.
Sorry for shouting. I just don't want you to do something you'll regret afterward.

The old black ones aren't painted. They are covered with japanning. It's a black finish that is closer to varnish in composition with asphaltum added for the black color. They paint it on the surface then bake it on to cure it. After that the decals are applied and then everything gets a clear coat of shellac to protect the decals.

The shellac either wears off over time or becomes old and brittle and flakes off. That leaves the decals unprotected.
exposure to water will either cause the decals to turn silver or destroy them completely.

Sewing machine oil is safe and effective for cleaning old sewing machines and won't harm your decals. That's why we always recommend only that.

There's a very good chance that just oiling and cleaning your machine will free it up to where it can be more than just a decoration again. It takes a lot to kill these things.
Please post some pictures too. We love pictures.
Pushy, aren't I,
Rodney

No soap and water
 

:(Oh dear, I'm afraid I started something!! I thought I was responding to the original poster's questions about the iron parts, meaning not the cabinet and not the machine, but the treadling . My mistake! Sorry! I wouldn't use soap and water on a black machine either!!!! I hesitated to use it on the iron, but, I really didn't soak it (just wet the rag and squeezed it out pretty good) and got it dry fast. The iron base is still in good shape from the stove polish. No rust at all. Sorry again