Cleaning my old Singer sm

I have a "de-gunking" product from my local Ace hardware store that removes baked-on gunk without removing a colored coating (like on my electric frypan). It might be called, "Goop," but I'm not sure of the name. You could try mineral spirits first.

Whatever, I'd hesitate to use it over the logo, if that's important to you. In fact, most Singer sewing machines have no value at all (in terms of being "vintage" or "antique" - the term "boat anchor" comes up frequently). If you like it and can use it, that to me would be where the value is, and you don't need the logo in order for it work for you. That's just my opinion.

As to the innards, I'd take it to a pro....it may need some fine- tuning and adjustments that you just aren't able to do yourself.

N.

Tha greasy film may well be the shellac coating that holds the decals on, degraded in heat and humidity. Those old machines were given a coat of enamel, a bit like stove enamel or car paint, then the decals were put on. They varnished over those with shellac to protect them. It can go brown and craze or go sticky with time. You need to clean it off without damaging the decals if you possibly can. If the decals are very worn and one of the plainer, more common sets, I'd be tempted not to worry about them vanishing if you just want a utility machine rather than a palour decoration.

Best stuff is plain ole sewing machine oil... Just smear the outside, let it rest a day, then GENTLY swab off with cotton balls. It won't damage any fragile decals. You can polish the oil off, then give it a GENTLE swipe over with a barely damp microfiber cloth wrung out in a solution of washing up liquid. If you have removed all the shellac and kept the decals intact, you need to make sure you have cleaned ALL the oil off before giving the black areas a coating of some new shellac to protect the decals.

For cleaning and restoring the innards and other working parts, look here:

It's the clearest and most comprehensive set of instructions for restorung this type of machine to use that I've seen.

Leslie, don't do much until you hear from Irene too. She may want to toss in some other ideas. And beggin' Miss Nancy's pardon, but antique and vintage Singers are both valuable and beloved. Tread gently. Polly

...

In fact, most Singer sewing machines have no value at all (in terms of being "vintage" or "antique" - the term "boat anchor" comes up frequently).

no value??? boat anchor???? so i guess they dont float your boat then. the mind boggles.

j.

"Nancy2" wrote ... I have a "de-gunking" product from my local Ace hardware store that removes baked-on gunk without removing a colored coating (like on my electric frypan). It might be called, "Goop," but I'm not sure of the name. You could try mineral spirits first.

Whatever, I'd hesitate to use it over the logo, if that's important to you. In fact, most Singer sewing machines have no value at all (in terms of being "vintage" or "antique" - the term "boat anchor" comes up frequently). If you like it and can use it, that to me would be where the value is, and you don't need the logo in order for it work for you. That's just my opinion.

As to the > My poor ol' 1950 Singer 15-91 spent 3 years in the garage with Missouri's

I use a product called "Tuff Stuff," applying several applications, then follow that with a aplication of a good quality boot wax.

This process is detailed here by Graham Forsdyke, PPurveyor of Singer Featherweights to the Gentry," and widely known in the vintage and antique SM world:

I've cleaned many a machine with decals this way and they come out just lovely.

As to cleaning and re-lubricating specifics, here you go:

-Irene

I disagree; just check completed auctions on eBay for machines that are in clean, working, and tuned up condition. Esp. Singer 'favorites' such as the 15-91, 201-2, 221, 222, 301, 401, etc.

I have sold two Singer 'Red Heads" (also known as a 'Red Eye" decals) on eBay - just the machine head with no motor or attachments or manual

- for over $200 each. More recently, a filthy Pfaff 230 (which was given to me), which I thoroughly cleaned, adjusted and lubbed, sold for over $300.

There are plenty of people (including myself) who value these old machines, because they were made to last several lifetimes with a minimum of care, unlike the computerized plastic wonders of today.

-Irene (who has about 70 vintage Singer sewing machines inc. 6 221s, one 222, and 5 301s)

Leslie,

I just remembered that I forgot to specifically mention two things I use most often besides Tuff Stuff.

One is kerosene - it is a great gunk remover. I've used cotton balls, q tips, paper towels, etc. but whenever I get a machine that is REALLY encrusted with gunk (grease, nicotine, etc) I'll remove the motor, any rubber bits, all wires, bobbin tire, etc. and soak just the machine head in my husband's automotove parts washer, which is in his shop and filled with kerosene. This unit is designed to clean engine parts.

Some folks will use large Rubbermade tubs filled with kerosene for the same purpose. (Leave these outside though!!!)

I've had machine heads so frozen up with gunk they wouldn't budge an iota; one model 15 sat in in the parts washer for upwards of 6 weeks and after that cleaned up beautifully and sewed like a dream. I eventually sold that machine, it was so gunk free it so smoothly. The kerosene dissolves all the gunk and gets into all the nooks and crannies.

To clean just metal parts (non painted) such as the presser foot, slide plates, etc, I use denatured alcohol on a qtip.

Finally, a dremel tool and all the bits is a GREAT thing to have. I'll use my dremel and the polishing bit to shine up things like bobbins.

Some of these are probably mentioned in the Treadle on article but I wanted to make special note of them as I wouldn't be without both!

-Irene

I usually start with dish liquid and water, applied and wiped off a few times. Then I follow with sewing machine oil. Works well on all sorts of grime. Apply, let set, wipe off. See if that gets you very far. Avoid ammonia-containing cleaners, as they'll silver the decals.

How far do you intend to go with the cleaning? You might want to check in at the yahoo group "wefixit", which has a lot of good files on machine restoration. There's also a Singer 15-91 adjuster's manual in the files section of that group, a subfile of "Leo's Manual Database". You can get the parts lists/diagrams from Singer, too.

Kay

Leslie, can't help you with preserving the decals while de-gunking, but wanted to lend a tip about what happened to my aunt's 15-91 after spending a couple years in the garage in humid Dallas. Apparently she got some rust issues in some important places (happens to the best of us, ha). She had to have a good going-over by a pro. Hope this isn't a problem for the innards of your 15-91. Best of luck with it. I have such an affinity for those old girls.

Sherry

...not according to my local market or my antiqueing peers. A few are; 90% are not. Typewriters fall into the same iffy category. But, if she treasures it, that's all that counts. ;-)

N.

Antique sewing machines don't actually float my boat, but I'm speaking of a general antique market, not just me. Believe what you like. I guess if you find a market, that's great for all concerned....if you want to sell one, that is. My impression was that she wanted to use it herself, in which case, make it usable, whatever that involves. We can agree to disagree. ;-)

N.

i know little about antiques of any kind. it may be a small market but there is a market for these, of that i am sure. i just made a simple statement on my view of old singer sewing machines. i'd love to have an old treadle. i actually have a handturn but it needs some work and finding what i need here in nz aint gonna happen. so i'll just hang on to my grandmas or my aunts, i'm not sure who owned it, just for the sentimental value. i'm not sewing anyhow so makes no difference. i'm curious now why you replied to my reply when i really have no knowledge of the issue. i just know they are highly prized by a lot of us quilters in cyberspace from what i've read and a few chats with a few of them. so why me? surely replying to Irene makes more sense, she is a restorer/reseller of those wee beautys. ya know what, dont even reply to this, just reply to Irenes reply. going back to facebook now. j.

"Nancy2" wrote ... Antique sew> In fact, most Singer sewing machines have no value at all (in

I second that link, Kate. If I find old round bobbin machines they go to TFSR, a very worthy cause. I've got a bit addicted to old sewing machines; no built in obsolesence and they actually get better and better over time. I'm in awe of the engineering and the stitch is perfect, albeit only straight stitch. Now I just need an old Singer overlocker....... and a bigger house! Carrie