Restoring a singer 15 !!
 

I was given this sewing machine from the back of a garbage truck... She was gross... so now she is soaking in a spa of WD40... I TOOK OFF ALL HER "CHROME-SILVER" and this magic stuff I used on her took off all the yuck and she looks great.. all her decals are off as well and I am waiting on new ones to redecal... I will be posting her soon...

yeah if I could get these to load... I don't know how to make the file smaller after the picture has been taken..

What kind of camera are you using? On my camera I can change the settings to take Internet ready pictures which are 640x480. You can also go to your "My Pictures" files on your computer and change the sizes there.

picture of the spa treatment!
 

Here are pictures of Beth my model 15 and so far to date on how she is looking... this i did on the kitchen counter yesterday.. lol

why were the decals removed?

i removed a good part of them by mistake with the cleaner that I grabbed not knowing that it was the wrong stuff. so then I just decided to take them all off... I have a set of decals coming my way.. and I just found another set of all yellow roses.. so this is my project machine.. stupid me.. and then to find out she is one of only 5000.... my other one is 1 of 35,000...

oh yikes...how do you know what cleaner is the wrong cleaner?

This cleaner is great on the chrome/silver stuff and for taking off built up grease.. but it will remove your decals if left on... autoparts cleaner... I know now...

sorry you had to learn that lesson the hard way...but thanks for sharing the info! is Wd-40 safe enough you think

WD 40 is safe... i use that all the time. this other stuff, i used it because it was so caked on, it is still seized tighter then tight! so I have she soaking in WD40 under neath... but she is also rusted pretty good. so we will see if she turns out to be just a show.. I have had worse so there is hope still...

How fun and exciting!!! I said it before and I will say it again, you just can't beat a 15!

Usually, WD40 is not a good choice for cleaning up a machine - it can dry and leave a residue. I would have started the clean up with some Dawn (diluted slightly) and then if needed graduate to something stronger. Maybe a bit of Goop on the bottom of that machine. Just because you find it on the curb or in the garbage doesn't mean you need to go all out and strip paint etc off a machine. It is good to have a machine you don't have a lot invested in to experiment with - ask me how I know. I would especially not use anything harsh on a machine with plastics (I know this one isn't but just for future reference - plastic can melt) Muv has some really good videos about cleaning up a machine. Most of the time it is all they really need. http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...v-t167789.html Muv also makes marmalade

Ok I read where there is rust involved as well. You need some rust remover for that. Most people go overboard on the chemicals right from the start.

Lostn51, Billy, posted a wonderful tute on this board about cleaning old machines. I used it for cleaning my 1925 model 127. I now have a beautiful little machine that sews well.

That tutorial Billy posted is a bit of over kill unless you are planning to repaint a machine.

And the products he uses can damage/remove decals...

Ph where did you find your decals that are on the way? We all would love to know.

Oh where did you find the decals???? We all would love to know.

WD40 is great for lube and unseizing your machines and cleaning them, you need to wipe it clean with a mild dish detergent afterwards, but it will not harm you machine. and when it rains and my suv won't start a shot of it in the carb and it starts everytime... I got the decal off of ebay and I am planning on duplicating them once i get it.. and it they work i will share with all.. I ordered transfer paper to try my hand at it for florals as well......

Can't wait to hear about your luck with the decals. I have a machine or two that could use decal help!

You intend to make copies of the decals and share with all?

I belong to a yahoo group "Old Pfaffies" and I continuously read that WD40 is NOT for the mechanisms in sewing machines. When I have stuck parts, especially moving parts, I use Winchester Break Free.