Help! Did I do something wrong? (Cleaning)

[Kevan]

I recently got a '62 Slim from Ebay and attempted to clean it today (my first shot at cleaning a vintage DE. It was pretty clean to begin with and both the TTO action and adjustable knob worked smooth as silk. Anyway, here's what I did to clean it:

Soaked in warm water/dishwashing liquid, cleaned with a toothbrush: 20 minutes
Soaked in Oxy Clean & Warm Water, toothbrush clean again: 15 minutes
Soaked in Alcohol: 15 minutes

When I was done it was nice and clean/shiny. But now the adjustable knob doesn't turn as smoothly as before and the TTO knob squeaks about half the time when I turn it (it didn't before). It's also much harder to tighten the TTO knob the last quarter-turn, whereas it was very easy before.

Did I do something wrong or is it just residual water on the mechanical parts?

[luvmysuper]

The TTO action could be that you loosened some "gunk" inside and it is now in that area. The squeaking sounds like you need some mineral oil down the center hole under the blade doors. Try the oil and keep working the TTO knob and see if the action improves.

[Kevan]

Mineral oil? Would olive oil work?

[niknak]

Mineral oil.

Olive oil would work for a little while, then it would go rancid and stink.

[Johnny Dale]

Mineral oil for sure. I have tried 60weight gear oil on one so it would smell like my shovelhead! :biggrin:

[Robxcarlson]

You could use baby oil, which is mineral oil... it's better on the razor than the baby.

[luvmysuper]

Mineral oil for sure. I have tried 60weight gear oil on one so it would smell like my shovelhead! :biggrin:

I wouldn't mind that at all.

But rancid olive oil while I'm trying to shave under my nose? Don't think so.

[Kevan]

Okay, I'll try some baby oil.

Think it's okay to shave with now though?

[luvmysuper]

As long as you can get the blade gap adjusted where you want it, and the doors close tightly on the blade, yep, it's fine to shave with.

[Barbarian]

Mineral oil is like 2 bucks at any store. You should be able to get it easily. Then you will have some for your next razor too!

[SRock]

Mineral oil.

Olive oil would work for a little while, then it would go rancid and stink.

Exactly!

[Kevan]

Thanks guys.

I left the razor alone (and open) for a few hours and afterward, it worked fine. Smooth and no squeaking. I shaved with it yesterday too.

I must say that the sheer bulk of these vintage Gillettes will take some getting used to. I dialed the adjustment up to 6 and it was a very smooth shave. I have to get used to a safety bar again after using a Merkur Open Comb for the past three months. I needed the Fusion for touch-ups and to get BBS, but overall I was impressed by the shave the Slim provided, especially on 4 days worth of beard growth.