Using orange oil & WD40 on vintage Singers
 

I am looking at 2 singers. I've been told the FW has had its cleaning done
with WD 40. I thought I remember reading here, that using that product
is a big no-no.......and,
other is a 66 hand crank (with the back clamp foot) that has been cleaned
with orange oil.

Are they going to give me problems down the road?
Anything I should do once I get them???

thanks
Mish K in NJ

Not necessarily. But, I would clean the machines with Tri-Flow (internal parts) or surface clean with sewing machine oil only. DO NOT use 3 in 1 oil. Neither the WD-40 or the 3-in 1 oil is good for the internal workings of a sewing machine-- regular sewing machine oil only! Check some of the other posts on this site!

Jeanette

Mish K,
Sewing Machine oil is the standard. When I had a filthy cosmetically challenged machine I've used GOJO non pumice hand cream in the past though it does remove decals slightly but cleans quick. I've used orange goof off on tape but wouldn't apply over decals. Use soft cotton cloth or cotton ball with SM oil and use very gingerly on decals.

Is there a sticky on SM cleaning? I remember an old one got removed because too many machines decals were ruined.

Jon

Yes SM oil is safest.
[h=3]HOW TO CLEAN UP and use a vintage sewing machine - videos by Muv and Fav[/h]

I used it use WD 40 (anyone want to buy a gallon?) and kerosene(varsol). But to be honest I am impatient and I have found that on average the vast amount of build up on the exterior is on the chrome pieces(needle area, etc) and so I just go straight to my Maas metal polish. It seems to clean off all of the dried on oil and polish in a much quicker fashion. For the machine bed and other painted areas I wipe down with machine oil to clean up the obvious then I switch to a cleaner/Polish like Turtle Wax. It works well for me and to date I have not damaged any decals. I will say that if the lacquer is deteriorating most any process will continue to remove it so you will just have to decide what you can live with.
This is just my experience. I am sure there are many other opinions out there.

Here is the link to cleaning up and using vintage machines:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...v-t167789.html

Jeanette

The problem with WD-40 and orange oil is they will eventually dry out and get gummy. WD-40 isn't a very good lubricant either. Give your machines a good cleaning with sewing machine oil to remove the other products and you'll be fine.
Rodney

thank you for the advice.....Will surely do as suggested.
I am anxious to get the 66 hand crank...they said it is original
to this machine....it has the back screw attachment, not
the side style. They have dated it to apx 1910. Decals are not
great, worn as to be expected....but there is some damage
to the painted edges...it was hard to see in pictures....I did read
the posts on the shellac and cleaning.....I am hopeful that will
get me thru cleaning it...
thanks again
Mish k in NJ