I always use my soft plasticine erasers to clean the type slugs. The soft kneadable ones that are used to erase charcoal or soft pencil. They are cheap (less than 1 EUR/USD) and perfectly remove any ink residue. If it gets dirty you can either knead it or just cut of dirty surface.
I've heard of people using silly putty and blu-tack for cleaning typeslugs, but Bergeon RODICO meant for working on expensive watch movements is a new one on me! Sounds like it works great though. I still have a few sheets of this vintage 3M stuff (almost like a foamy felt if that makes sense) that was meant to be typed on in stencil mode that cleans typeslugs, and it works relatively well.
When you mentioned using a toothbrush for gentle cleaning it made me wonder whether you might find “peg wood “ useful for some things I see it in use on Wristwatch Revival for cleaning watch parts. It is a small piece of wood with a rounded point. He also uses Rodico for cleaning some watch parts, to pick up some very small parts and as a base to put parts on while he is working on them.
I found ketbiard cleaning brush set on Amazon. So I got a couple to use on PC keyboard and typewriters. One of the brushes looks a lot like that make up brush. I also use a desktop vacuum that has a blow feature. That 'clay' looks to be the easiest method
I worry about scratching the slug with steel tools, like the dental pick. I use wooden toothpicks and a tissue, and to be honest, they work fine most of the time. Letters that need it are the a, e, g, v, h, n, m, o, p, q and possibly others, but I usually just clean those I notice needing it. While I like the typed page to look good, obsessing over clean slugs seems a bit pointless to me. JMHO. Burgeon stuff is great but usually pretty pricey.
Do you know if it's possible to clean a typewriter using only dry tools? I've got some mineral spirits but I don't have easy access to a well-ventilated area and it's too cold for me to practically clean my machine outside ( roughly 20 to 30 degrees outside lately). I've got all the basic implements (toothbrush, brass brush, dental pick, etc), it's really only the ventilation issue stopping me.
You can remove dry residue like dust and debris, but the main problems are usually lubricants that get hard and turn to glue. These can best be removed with solvents. I have, however, done the “rubber ducky” treatment, which is to remove the plastic panels and dunk the chassis in very warm water with a bit of Dawn dish soap, operate all the keys underwater. Then a dunk in hot clean water to remove the soap, followed by an immediate blow-out with compressed air to remove the water, and lightly lubricating all the metal surfaces to prevent rusting. The key is quick drying after the wet treatment. Be careful of delicate plastic pieces like card guides.
I see scans of quite a few typewritten documents at work and have great admiration for typists who kept their type slugs clean.
I always use my soft plasticine erasers to clean the type slugs. The soft kneadable ones that are used to erase charcoal or soft pencil. They are cheap (less than 1 EUR/USD) and perfectly remove any ink residue. If it gets dirty you can either knead it or just cut of dirty surface.
Great idea!
We learn ENGLISH with you.
You talk very clean to foreigners.
👍.
I've heard of people using silly putty and blu-tack for cleaning typeslugs, but Bergeon RODICO meant for working on expensive watch movements is a new one on me! Sounds like it works great though. I still have a few sheets of this vintage 3M stuff (almost like a foamy felt if that makes sense) that was meant to be typed on in stencil mode that cleans typeslugs, and it works relatively well.
I’ve been using CRC QD Cleaner which dissolves the old ink but not the paint or plastic. Brass Harbor Freight detail brush.
When you mentioned using a toothbrush for gentle cleaning it made me wonder whether you might find “peg wood “ useful for some things I see it in use on Wristwatch Revival for cleaning watch parts. It is a small piece of wood with a rounded point.
He also uses Rodico for cleaning some watch parts, to pick up some very small parts and as a base to put parts on while he is working on them.
I use mounting putty (like Blu Tack) for cleaning slugs - knead and roll a chunk over faces.
Enjoyed this video as I do all your videos 👍
I found ketbiard cleaning brush set on Amazon. So I got a couple to use on PC keyboard and typewriters. One of the brushes looks a lot like that make up brush. I also use a desktop vacuum that has a blow feature. That 'clay' looks to be the easiest method
88 keys?😳must be the piano model. Maybe the flat top standard with the candelabra 😂
I worry about scratching the slug with steel tools, like the dental pick. I use wooden toothpicks and a tissue, and to be honest, they work fine most of the time. Letters that need it are the a, e, g, v, h, n, m, o, p, q and possibly others, but I usually just clean those I notice needing it. While I like the typed page to look good, obsessing over clean slugs seems a bit pointless to me. JMHO. Burgeon stuff is great but usually pretty pricey.
You can get those brushes in that set of 3 at the dollar tree 🌲
Joe Van Cleave and the Shiny Slugs 😃 is music to my ears.
That’s a good name for a band!
Do you know if it's possible to clean a typewriter using only dry tools? I've got some mineral spirits but I don't have easy access to a well-ventilated area and it's too cold for me to practically clean my machine outside ( roughly 20 to 30 degrees outside lately). I've got all the basic implements (toothbrush, brass brush, dental pick, etc), it's really only the ventilation issue stopping me.
You can remove dry residue like dust and debris, but the main problems are usually lubricants that get hard and turn to glue. These can best be removed with solvents. I have, however, done the “rubber ducky” treatment, which is to remove the plastic panels and dunk the chassis in very warm water with a bit of Dawn dish soap, operate all the keys underwater. Then a dunk in hot clean water to remove the soap, followed by an immediate blow-out with compressed air to remove the water, and lightly lubricating all the metal surfaces to prevent rusting. The key is quick drying after the wet treatment. Be careful of delicate plastic pieces like card guides.
Why doesn't exist CLEANER RIBBON? It will aid much.
How about cleaning with an electric toothbrush?
huh okay I'll check it out might same me some time.
First one here! :) Great video Joe!