WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T DO THIS!!! Unless . . .

[Blaser0217]

So, I've had a ball end Tech and an Old Type sitting in my shave drawer collecting dust for several months. I decided to go ahead and create a "rotation" in order to keep things interesting.

SIDE NOTE: The reason I haven't been doing this is because I've been trying to figure out what works best for me, so I was using my Red Tip exclusively for several months. Then, the other day SWMBO's mom surprised me with her father's (SWMBO's grandfather) H2 (1962) Slim in beautiful condition (that's a whole other thread).:thumbup: Now, with the Slim, I've decided I have enough for a proper rotation. But I digress.,

Anyway, decided to clean up the tech and old. Went through the usual hot water, then scrubbing bubbles. Then I got the bright idea to throw a little baking soda and peroxide into an additional hot water rinse to really get the gunk out. YIKES!!!! I'm pretty certain it took the gold finish right off, and if it didn't it at least tarnished the heck out of everything.

At this point, I had a choice: panic, or remain calm. I chose the latter. Broke out the Flitz, and about an hour later I had two beautifully polished razors.

So, what's the moral of the story? DO NOT PUT YOUR GOLD RAZORS IN BAKING SODA AND PEROXIDE!!!! Unless, if course, you want to take the finish off and polish the heck out of the brass underneath.

I can post pics if anyone wants to see the finished product. I didn't take any pics of the horror that preceded the gleaming brass brilliance.

[drews50]

You know we are picture junkies. If course we want pictures

[Blaser0217]

Pics will have to come tomorrow morning. SWMBO makes fun of me when she catches me taking pictures of razors. :blushing:

[jsj_297]

I too wouldnt mind seeing some pictures......:blushing:

[luvmysuper]

Pics will have to come tomorrow morning. SWMBO makes fun of me when she catches me taking pictures of razors. :blushing:

Might as well get used to that my friend. It won't be ending anytime soon! :lol:

[inspiringK]

Yip, I am going to wait to see some pictures for this one. :001_rolle

[MacDaddy]

It's been a long time since my chemistry classes, but that reaction releases a large amount of oxygen and will oxidize the heck out of anything you put in it. Thankfully, over-the-counter hydrogen peroxide is an incredibly weak solution or you might have had to pull your razor out with a spoon. :lol:

[ShaveMark]

Pics will have to come tomorrow morning. SWMBO makes fun of me when she catches me taking pictures of razors. :blushing:

Ah, we can see who wears the after shave lotion in your family!:blink:

[Smokinwill]

definitely want to see some pics.

[FoMoCo]

good to know, I just bought a gold tech that is pretty dirty and most of the plating is gone... I was planning on polishing out the brass but wasn't exactly sure how to get rid of the little bit of plating with out hurting anything else :thumbup:

[onotoman]

If you have indeed removed the coating (gold) then no matter how well you've polished the brass, it'll tarnish quickly and you'll end up polishing forever more.

This is why Victorian and Edwardian servants spent most of their life polishing door knobs, door knockers, fire surrounds, lamps and any other brass surface. These surfaces were only exposed to air (and some gasses of combustion), your razor will be subjected to water, soaps etc, so will tarnish even quicker (sorry).

My advice would be to get it replated in Gold or better still, nickel first then gold over the nickel and you'll get 50 years out of it.

[Blaser0217]

Sorry for the delay, gentlemen, but here are a couple of pics:


151782

151783

My camera kind of sucks, but I think you get the gist. Also, my "ball end tech" is actually a frankenrazor of a ball end tech handle and new head. I got it from SWMBO's grandfather, as well. I kind of like the way they look, but I'm concerned about constant polishing. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[insomniac]

My advice would be to get it replated in Gold or better still, nickel first then gold over the nickel and you'll get 50 years out of it.

Unless the razor is an heirloom, then it's probably cheaper just to find another one.

[inspiringK]

I guess the problem will be the amount of polishing needed, but from here they look pretty good.
Good Luck.

[probesport]

Pics will have to come tomorrow morning. SWMBO makes fun of me when she catches me taking pictures of razors. :blushing:

Don't take pictures of your razors in the kitchen :tongue_sm

[cooncatbob]

Lucky you didn't try ammonia and bleach.

[Crag]

At the OP...that is oxidation, a sort of quick tarnish and also happens to be how brass workers age Brass into a Patina. If you can find some tarn-x or one of those jewelry discs and toss them in one by one...the tarnish should come off...you may need to do it more than once.

TarnX would work best...

[alex2363]

Unless the razor is an heirloom, then it's probably cheaper just to find another one.

wat he said^^^^^^^^^^^

[franz]

Don't put your gold razors in scrubbing bubbles, either.


Lucky you didn't try ammonia and bleach.

Kaboom!

[alex2363]

Unless the razor is an heirloom, then it's probably cheaper just to find another one.


You know we are picture junkies. If course we want pictures


Pics will have to come tomorrow morning. SWMBO makes fun of me when she catches me taking pictures of razors. :blushing:


I too wouldnt mind seeing some pictures......:blushing:


Might as well get used to that my friend. It won't be ending anytime soon! :lol:


Yip, I am going to wait to see some pictures for this one. :001_rolle


definitely want to see some pics.

^^^this

[alex2363]

Sorry for the delay, gentlemen, but here are a couple of pics:


151782

151783

My camera kind of sucks, but I think you get the gist. Also, my "ball end tech" is actually a frankenrazor of a ball end tech handle and new head. I got it from SWMBO's grandfather, as well. I kind of like the way they look, but I'm concerned about constant polishing. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
oh...............