Typewriter restoration

[Wasabi5900]

I'm working on a Remington Noiseless 6 that's got some delicate rust near the ornate trim. Has anyone tried a mix of distilled white vinegar and a cotton swab for targeted cleaning? Not sure how to go about this. Any suggestions are welcome

 

[TypewriterGeek]

hi @Wasabi5900 I'd be super careful with vinegar on that old paint and trim. Vinegar is an acid, and while it's great for stubborn rust on a tool you're going to recoat, it can eat through the delicate finish on a vintage machine. You might end up with more rust or a stained mess.
A safer bet might be a very fine automotive metal polish on a cotton swab or a product like Evapo Rust Gel.
The gel sticks to the rust and is non acidic and paint safe.
You can apply it precisely, let it sit for a bit, and then wipe it away without worrying about damaging the rest of the body.

 

[Homelander]

Using vinegar on a Remington Noiseless 6 risks etching the metal and killing its collector value. Too many DIY restorations end up destroying originality in the name of quick fixes

 

[RibbonJockey]

Go easy on the vinegar, it's acidic and can mess up the plating. If you've just got some surface rust, try using 0000 steel wool with a bit of light oil first. For those tricky spots, a soft brass brush or even a wooden toothpick can do the trick. Always test out any method in a spot that's hidden first, just in case. And hey, try not to get any moisture inside where it might mess with the inner workings.

 

[qwertycollector]

Exactly right, vinegar is too harsh for vintage metal finishes. The 0000 steel wool with oil approach is much safer and usually does the job

 

[TouchType]

For those tough rust spots, consider using naval jelly (phosphoric acid gel). It's a lot more manageable than liquid acids and won't drip into sensitive areas. Just apply it with cotton swabs and don't forget to neutralize it with some baking soda afterward.