I need to find a dissolvant?

Question

I'm restoring a 1920's Underwood typewriter. Some of the keys have been covered in a mixture of grease and oil so long that there is literally just a clump of it entirely covering the letter that is supposed to print. I've already tried scrubbing it off with a toothbrush and WD 40, and it helped, but I need something that will help dissolve it or something.

Answer 1

Of all things , there is typewriter cleaner.

Might try a  site that deals w/ vintage machines for cleaners , lubricants & parts.

Some mentioned the "hot" solvents & would avoid them since there are  components that they might attack such as rubber , acetate ,nitrocellulose & even the paint.

They might even cause the old lube ,ink ,& dust to clump even though they will not hurt the metal machinery.

I'm old & as I recall the stuff smelled a lot like kerosene or lighter fluid.

Had a couple of oldies  but then  cleaner & brushes were common at stationery stores.

Best regards

Answer 2

Those type faces are probably cast of soft linotype metal.

Don't use anything more mechanically aggressive than a bristle brush.

Try 'Dawn' dish detergent first, then alcohol or acetone as the solvent.

Answer 3

be careful on what you use...depending on what the actual key print is made of you could end up destroying it.  If it's made of metal then go with something like Methyl Ethyl Ketone (available at most paint or hardware stores).

Answer 4

Try nail polish remover. Test it first on small part of the key.

Answer 5

Naval Jelly or butyl cellusolve.  Be careful and definitely use the respirator with each.  Butyl cellusolve will smell nice and you will think, OK, but will sneak up on you and make you cough up blood the next day if you don't respirate.  If you are going for just the grease, try Fulsol household degreaser available thru your fuller brush man.

Answer 6

You need to use something that will not damage the finishes on the typewriter. MEK and nail polish remover ( acetone)  are both very "hot" materials and will probably do this. I'd try something like a water based paint remover and a brass bristled brush. Apply the material with a q-tip, let it sit for a minute or two then gently brush. Brass will not scratch the metal like a regular wire brush, but is much more aggressive than a regular toothbrush. Even with this I would cover the surrounding housing and key board with towels to protect them. I hope you realize that you need to be very careful how you handle the arms the print heads are attached to as even a slight bend will affect it's performance.