EBAY purchase

**calcustom** · 03-15-2009, 10:11 PM

I just purchased this Gillette NEW off EBAY. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting
I plan on soaking it in mixture of dishwashing liquid and water and giving it a good scrubbing with a toothbrush.

I have been researching methods of disinfecting.
These are the options I have been looking at.

1. A solution of 2 teaspoons of household bleach in a quart of water.
2. A solution of 70% isopropyl alcohol
3. Boiling

Which of these or other methods would be the most effective and the least likely to damage?

**JesseR** · 03-15-2009, 11:08 PM

I think one of Mantic59's videos recommends soaking the razor in a solution of 1 part vinegar and 4 parts hot/boiling water for about 15 minutes, the scrubbing with a tooth brush, and then rinsing in clean water.

If you decide this course of action, DO NOT clean the razor with bleach during the same sitting. Bleach + vinegar (or other acidic cleansers) can produce deadly chlorine gas when combined. I would actually forgo the bleach altogether because its a strong oxidizer and could corrode/weaken the metal over time.

**Bertilak** · 03-16-2009, 05:07 AM

Do not boil. The gold tone razors have some sort of lacquer finish that boiling can cause to peel off. Happened to me.

**kzoo1** · 03-16-2009, 05:53 AM

Nice score.

+1 on the no boil advice.

**kingfisher** · 03-16-2009, 06:03 AM

70% isopropyl alcohol (as it DRIES) kills almost any kind of bacterium on the planet. It should not harm any metal. The main key is to make sure that the razor air dries after applying the alcohol.

Bleach solutions kill not only bacteria but also viruses, but it's unlikely any viruses would survive for long on the razor, and the ones that potentially could survive can be rinsed off with running water.

I would go with the alcohol.

**scoopster** · 03-16-2009, 07:42 AM

I suspect 1 part in 4 of vinegar will do some damage to the finish of just about any kind of razor. I think the ratio should be closer to 1 in 10. I've done 1 in 10 in a gentle boil and had the vinegar turn the nickel plated razors a bit brown. A little polish does take care of that.

**adamant** · 03-16-2009, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by JesseR

I think one of Mantic59's videos recommends soaking the razor in a solution of 1 part vinegar and 4 parts hot/boiling water for about 15 minutes, the scrubbing with a tooth brush, and then rinsing in clean water.

If you decide this course of action, DO NOT clean the razor with bleach during the same sitting. Bleach + vinegar (or other acidic cleansers) can produce deadly chlorine gas when combined. I would actually forgo the bleach altogether because its a strong oxidizer and could corrode/weaken the metal over time.

I thought it was ammonia and bleach. Ammonia is basic, though. In either case, you're right, it is probably better to not mix cleaners anyway.

**mmack66** · 03-16-2009, 08:13 AM

That razor doesn't look like it needs anything drastic. A round or two with scrubbing bubbles should do the trick. Then maybe an alcohol or Barbicide dip to ease your mind.

**calcustom** · 03-16-2009, 09:22 AM

No boiling,check.
Alcohol is the way were going to go.
Thanks everyone!

**nrek619** · 03-16-2009, 10:33 AM

scrubbing bubbles and barbicide........ don't polish or you will lose the plating.......

**Dadof3** · 03-16-2009, 12:51 PM

Beautiful razor...nice catch! I've used Mantic's vinegar and water technique from his video on a 58 Super Speed. Came out nice.

**AsylumGuido** · 03-16-2009, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by nrek619

scrubbing bubbles and barbicide........ don't polish or you will lose the plating.......

Ditto this. Scrubbling Bubbles and Barbicide are my regular two steps and I have cleaned more vintage razors than I can count. The lacquer on gold razors can discolor a bit after cleaning and disinfecting, but can in most cases be restored with a simple treatment of Windex.