Plane restore ?

[EdL]

I bought a sad 8C from a friends estate sale...10 bux and it came with a cool 50's vintage lawn sprinkler.

It sat on a shelf in a sometimes heated building for 50 years, all the metal is restorable and l've done it before.

Whats the best way to clean 50 years of crud (including over-spray) off the tote & knob? They are in excellent condition, l see no reason the finish won't be good if l can clean them without damage.

Ed

[Bill_Houghton]

Start with some mineral spirits.  If this will be a user, take some fine grit wet-or-dry sandpaper or fine steel wool, and, using mineral spirits as the "wet," sand/abrade away.  You can remove the crud and get a smooth finish at the same time.

If you want to preserve the original finish, start with the mineral spirits and a paper towel, and see how much you can remove.

[adamcherubini]

Start with 10% solution of ammonia and water. If that doesn’t work go to 20% and wear gloves. Ammonia evaporates 100% leaving nothing behind. If you start with mineral spirits, you’ll have to degrease before finishing. Use grey or maroon scotch brite.

Mix up the ammonia in a spray bottle and use it for everything in your shop. Simple, cheap, effective, safe.

This is what museum conservators use.

[EdL]

Thanks! I'll try the ammonia first as l have that on hand.

Ed