LOL, ya know, I thought about that as I was typing this, but still... It was done quickly because focused on it hard for hours after lots of practice, not because I used an "accelerator"

That is a beautiful job, Glenn/Skip, makes me more anxious than ever to come down and meet and visit with you and your wife. How 'bout a trip down there with a blackberry cobbler soon?

Finishing, refinishing and restoring a finish all take time if you want good results. There is a lot of time spent just getting the surface ready for the new finish.
Restoring a finish takes the longest because not only are you trying to get something to look good again, you're also trying to preserve as much of the original finish as possible.
Glenn is a master at restoration. He has a lot of years of experience in restoring old finishes and it shows in his work.
Rodney

It's the American way. We want it now, we want it cheap and we want it on credit because we don't have the cash to pay for it. Taking the time to do something "right" is a rare find today. I'm a perfectionist, so I'm with you Steve. But, I do think quick and cheap is the way 90% of the US leans. It doesn't matter that cheap also means low quality or poor craftmanship....

That is a great idea and I love blackberry cobbler. You will have to wait until after the second week in Aug. We are leaving in week to go camping in Ky and In and will be gone for two weeks then I will have Tx Jan fly in from Tx and we are going to the Tenn Toga for three days in Winchester Tn. I think you should try and come to the Tenn Toga July31 thru the 2nd of Aug. We have a lot of fun at the Toga. Log on to the Tenn Toga yahoo group for all the details. Everyone is welcome. Lots of old machines to see and play with and we even do projects on them. I would love to show off my collection to you and your hubby when you make the trip to Huntsville. It will be lots of fun.
Skip

I would love to come for an in person session but funds....... I am retired and on a fixed income so not so much money to play with.:(
Skip

OK for the Tenn Toga thing. I am going to check that out for sure. should I bring a machine? or two?

Of course, bring you favorite HC or treadle to do the project on and so we can see. Lots of chit chat about old machines and such you will have a good time.

If you are addressing me and my approach to cleaning the exterior of a sewing machine, I learned a very valuable lesson here: test your solution in an inconspicuous place and do not be in a rush to complete the work.

I made my original post to learn more about what appears to be a very successful exterior cleaning and finishing restoration process and one man's approach to this process.

Had I known more about the nature and composition of the finishes on the exterior of these vintage machines and, especially, the best practices that have discovered to approach the cleaning and/or refinishing of a vintage Neechi sewing machine, I would have done the work of cleaning of my Necchi using one of these practices.

I got to see Skip's collection of machines, and I'm still drooling! And his house!!!! Don't get me started on that beauty! He and his wife are so gracious, and they made us feel like old friends, even though it was only the 2nd time we'd ever met in person. Have fun Skip & Pat on your trip. Tenn Toga sounds like fun, but I probably won't make it this year.