CLEANING SERIES #1: How to properly clean the painted finishes on a vintage sewing machine.

The old "Less is More" really applies here. With simple materials and sewing machine oil as your "cleaner" you can gently and carefully restore luster to a machine's finish. If done with patience, you will be rewarded with a substantially better looking machine without damage to its more delicate finishes. Note the right half of the machine bed and the dramatic improvement just with the patient and gentle use of sewing machine oil as a cleaner. The left side of the bed has only been dusted.

[@chessmasterr6296]

I found one in the street with a free sign attached to its box. Its a beautiful machine and I imagine someone cared about it very much and wanted it to bring the same happiness to the stranger that picked it up that it did for them. I just feel completely full of gratitude.

[@elizabethc3842]

I was gifted one by someone I never met, their kindness will never be forgotten

[@salsabil9384]

You're so lucky👏👏👏

[@torylester3359]

A good friend of mine just gifted me her late mother's 1907 in cabinet. The cabinet is coming apart at the joints where the glue has failed ect. Me and my husband are pretty decent wood workers, so I plan on restoring the cabinet and machine. No broken parts, just failed joints. The machine is not seized up. Needs a belt and the bobbin plate is stuck, so I need to look under that. But I feel I can get it running. The machine is not of great monetary value, but it is super valuable to my heart. It's beautiful and I fell in love as soon as I laid eyes on it!!!!

[@lisajanes1005]

So fortunate!

[@christinedonahue2102]

Oh I am so thankful for you making and sharing. I am still trying to figure out the age of mine but it really needs a good cleaning. I got the machine and table for $20.00 and I am afraid to touch it. I wish I knew how to put a picture on here.

[@juliebyrne4170]

My grandma had a Singer just like this. A salesman came to their house and my papaw bought it for her. She sewed many shirts and quilts for her family on this machine. She used to let me sew on it sometimes and I loved it! I thought it was long gone but my 91 year old mother said my brother had it. How he ended up with it is a long story. He said I could have it and that it works. I have recently got into quilting since retirement and I sometimes feel my grandma with me when I sew. I believe my grandma set things in motion for the machine to come to me. So many memories!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

What a lovely story ending that you now have and use the machine. You are very blessed.

[@emilysmith2435]

I am very encouraged by this video. I just bought a vintage singer treadle machine, and found out after I bought it that it was kept in a cow shed for 20-30 years. I'm hoping to get it ready to sew again.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Great that you rescued that machine Emily. I once found a machine in a barn surrounded by goats, LOL LOL. Under all the dust was a gorgeous machine and incredible walnut burl table. You just never know....

[@evelynkwong1607]

Excellent tutorial and I will be applying these tips to a 1913 Sphinx machine I found at the local antiques mall. My favorite is how detailed and knowledgeable your explanations are! Thanks for sharing your passion for preservation with us!

[@TheOriginalAndBestTim]

Thanks for this video, bought my wife a singer 15k with treadle table for valentines day which was looking very grubby, cleaned it up using the techniques you showed in the video and it looks great, got a nice shine to it, the decals on the upper part are in excellent condition, the ones on the base are well worn, so think it had a lot of use before being left in a garage or shed to get mildewed and dusty - still seems to run perfectly, not bad for a machine built 100 years ago!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Congrats on your 15K Tim. I have 2 of them now waiting on overhauls. I know some people like to refinish old machines with new decals etc. However, I prefer to clean and preserve the machines as they are. I find the worn paint and fading decals as a patina that reveals all the generations that used the machine. So glad you were able to rescue yours.

[@dianehall5345]

Thank you for this tutorial. What a difference! Its those touches of TLC that make the diference. I had to learn to care for my 1930 kitchen wood stove via my grandmother. I keep the top lightly oiled. If I plan to put toast directly on the cast iron surface, she taught me to take a ball of wax paper and buff the stovetop when it is cold. Nothing sticks! But that is another video topic altogether. I rarely see tutorials on restoring and using a vintage cookstove...

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Great to hear!

[@bondee5865]

Thank You Vintage Sewing Machine Garage; your instruction has saved the finishes of my three, well worn decal and paint finishes. I didn't touch them until I found a credible restoring video! I've been informed that one was manufactured in the 1800's, and the paint finish looks like it too. All I wanted to know when shopping was "Does it run"! I love the control of the sewing needle with my foot and the power it has. I do not have to replace the motors either. (Just a $14 belt) Also the fact that I have an incredible machine which reflects an era long gone yet very revolutionary compared to the fact that people used to have to painstakingly hand sew one stitch at a time for centuries; we've come a long way baby!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Yes, I agree that we often look back at older tech and think it was not innovative compared with what exists currently. Yet, that's not fair because when you consider the context of when something like a sewing machine (treadle for example) was first created for consumer use, it was life altering. A treadle may not seem super fast now, but imagine how it compared to hand stitching as you mentioned. It's all relative!

[@viol999]

I watched all your video's on maintenance to give me some idea on cleaning up my 1951 15-91. I tried your trick of using sewing machine oil to clean the paint. It worked fine but I decided to follow up with Mothers Carnuba cleaner and wax intended for automotive paint and it did a fantastic job. It left a beautiful protective gloss after rubbing out with a clean cotton cloth.

[@chellychevres2969]

viol999 I just recently bought a vintage singer, is a little dull, I put some sewing machine oil and clean it with a soft t shirt kind of cloth, thinking about the wax......did it work good for you? Did you get the shine?

[@diannemoyes1505]

Love the preserving aspect. I want the original beauty but the use over the years to show.

[@alexruiz2154]

Thank you for your videos! I recently cleaned a Singer Model 66 (1921) following your tutorial. Also restored the parlor cabinet that came with it, I couldn't be happier with the results.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Nice work!

[@randyfarley9214]

Very informative. Thank you. I’m in the process of restoring my first machine. It’s a Singer 15-91. I have found your videos very helpful.

[@wayneschmidt490]

As a sewing machine restorer myself, I am thoroughly enjoying your videos and picking up several useful techniques for my own use. Thank you. One thing is confusing me in this video. You say that the black finish is black lacquer decorated with decals, then clear coated with clear lacquer. My research suggests the black finish is japanning (a mixture of asphaltum, linseed oil and turpentine baked onto the machine) the decorations were lithographed industrial transfers (a process where only the paint is applied, there is no clear backing as in decals) and the clear coat was shellac, not lacquer. This last is easily checked by shining an UV light on the machine. Shellac glows yellow-green. Lacquer doesn't. I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm concerned that my research is in error and if so I need to add corrective notes to many of my videos so I don't mislead anyone. I would greatly appreciate any clarification you can provide. Thank you for your time. Now I'm off to watch more of your videos.

[@steadystitch]

That's a gentleman's way to tell someone is wrong.

[@wayneschmidt490]

Thank you. Your channel name, 'steady stitch,' suggests you are a sewer, yet I didn't see any sewing videos on your channel. Do you sew, or is the name a reference to something else?@@steadystitch

[@steadystitch]

It is something in the making Wayne. Love your channel. @@wayneschmidt490

[@petersiliekrause2203]

🤦🏻‍♀️ I had planned on doing lots of chores today. Now I found this video, now I‘m going to have to watch all of them, and there goes my day. Subscribed.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You got this!

[@lydiacoker1613]

So glad I found your video... inherited my grandmothers 110 yr old peddle machine! It’s been stored in concrete block structure, so wood and machine are in rough shape, but cabinet/frame/ drawers look ok! I don’t think I could get it working but would like to clean it for display in my home.. thanks again!

[@maryschneider6033]

Thank you so much for sharing all of this valuable information! I can't wait to get started cleaning my machine that my Mother gave me.

[@MonaSkovJensen]

I am so glad that I found this video and watched it before I do anything to my new vintage 1920 Singer! Thank you for all the information, easily explained and it is amazing what the sewing machine does!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tonigibbs8912]

Thank you. I found your instructions to be very helpful. My daughter gifted me a vintage Singer Sewing Machine for Christmas. It's not in very good condition and I would like to restore it. You have given me a starting point so I'm off now to start the process.

[@amandakay0429]

About to clean up my great grandmothers Singer 127 from 1925. Probably hasn’t been used since the 60s so want to treat it with care. Thank you for the very informative videos!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Go for it!

[@richlovin2173]

Initially I thought your idea of cleaning with sewing machine oil was crasy. I had a basket case 92 year old Singer so I tried your cleaning method. Outstanding!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

That is awesome!

[@connieh3348]

The second sewing machine you were cleaning is my dream sewing machine. I've been looking in my area for one with the decals in good shape for years and the closest I found was a 1927 singer. The one your cleaning is beautiful.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thank you!

[@donnajohnson9834]

Wow - so helpful. I am just beginning to think about cleaning and using my grandmothers 1922 Singer, and Im so glad I came across this before touching it. I will look forward to the others in this series.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You are so welcome!

[@elainebye9090]

I just purchased a 1923 red eye Singer, and I'm so thankful for your video!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Wonderful!

[@MarleyBu]

Nothing beats these beautiful old black ones. I think the paint process is called japanning. I watched a documentary about Singers Kilbowie factory in Bonnie Scotland. It showed the machine getting made from a lump of iron to getting packed onto ships. Brilliant doc but no sound. 😊

[@dcinrb8538]

My Singer Featherweight came with a "Singer" metal oil can. Took me 12 years to find her. Patience is your friend. Thank you.

[@jestie]

thank you for this video! i recently acquired one myself, i've been looking to get it to work again. i'm an archaeologist, so preserving the machine to the best of my ability is something i strive for and a lot of information out there on cleaning the decals specifically seemed so hit or miss to me & were typically without pictures, or videos having no instructions. this helped a ton, especially being able to see the clear difference, the attention to detail, and, of course, the lack of destructive methods to these beautiful machines.

[@ryndl]

The neck is where they are carried, lifted, lowered into cases etc. Skin oils, dirt and dust eventually wear away the finish. The nicks on the neck can also be caused by rings when handling the machine. Just think about how often we move them by grasping the neck

[@rosemarywalczak1681]

If I had a sewing machine back in the 1800s and early 1900s you would be a very lucky person!

[@gergemall]

@@rosemarywalczak1681❤

[@AnonymousAmyMakes]

I just got my hands on a 201-2. It's in pretty rough shape. I'm so glad I found your videos to help me bring her back to life! Thank you for such an informative video!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Glad I could help!

[@adhithyasodhi3203]

Great advice, they're only original once. Lovely to see respectful preservation.

[@general5104]

Thank you. You sound passionate about old vintage machines. So well made and back when manual labor was polished with Sweat and Lacquer and cigarette Smoke! Common Sense ran the world, back then. Ai would have been "Active Inventors". So much better engineering, back during the Industrial Revolution. Thank-you for your video. I subbed. Bill, from Tn. 🇺🇸

[@user-qf9od6iu8u]

Your way works brilliantly using the sewing machine oil. Thank you so much, now have a nice clean, shiny machine.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Great to hear!

[@HegenerHomestead]

My husband just got me one from a yard sale, it looks in great shape and now I'm super excited to clean it up even more and start using it. I hope I have all the parts needed!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

That sounds great. If you are missing parts, try searching online since Singers are the easiest to find parts for even those this old.

[@HegenerHomestead]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage how can I tell what year/model it is?

[@tagladyify]

On the right side, on the base, in front is a serial # plate with a long number. It usually begins with 1 or 2 letters, but the very oldest machines are just numbers. This is the singer serial number. There are charts online that tell the approximate year made and model. The model may be off though. Mine was listed as a singer 15, but after more research and looking at comparison of plates and body shapes and features mine is likely a 66 or 66k.

[@colleenfletcher2550]

Check the bobbin plate.

[@TravelingHat]

I'm bringing my Great-Grandma's Singer 66 back to life. Thanks!

[@CatariaNigra]

I am so grateful for your videos. I just got my Singer from 1908, and she is so beautiful, but I really was a bit at a loss how to handle her. I will take my time to watch your videos before I do anything with her.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Wonderful!

[@hyderhode]

Thank you. What a beautiful machine!

[@lindahollander3588]

I liked the one with birds on it

[@rhondacw777]

this video is a God send. I just bought one of these and trying to figure out how it works, cleaning, etc.....The mechanics work and the bobbin and case had me flipping out!!! Thank You!!!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Glad I could help

[@beckyw2903]

This is a great informative video! My husband and I found a Singer model 66, I think from 1910, at an antique shop today, and we’re hoping to restore it. The big issue is that the treadle is missing, so we need to find one, but the machine looks to be in good condition. And I do have plenty of sewing machine oil!

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

Wow! Am going to sit at Nanas 201, and replay and clean. Thank you! Cleaning with oil, that’s genius.

[@bethyounker555]

Thank you so much for all the great information. You made it really easy to follow, and I've disassembled and cleaned up the 301 that I just got and I know that it's ready to go for a good long time! Also thanks for the video on the hand wheel reassembly. :)

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Glad it helped

[@colvinator1611]

Most helpful video. Very well presented and described. My ' new ' hobby project ( 1898 Treadle Singer ) arrives tomorrow, and now I know how to clean it ! Thanks very much, Colin UK.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Best of luck!

[@wallyverbeck1454]

Well, I guess it was a good thing I watched this. I just got a 1924 66, and the first thing I was going to do, was douse it with WD 40. Thanks.

[@944gemma]

I feel the same way about these old girls. You clean them up. Give them a drop of oil where needed and they’ll run forever. They sew one stitch and they do it very well.

[@romy4593]

I have an 1891 New Domestic Treadle and she has feet for all kinds of sewing! She can do underbraiding, embroidery, quilting, button holes and leather sewing plus more!! She even has the thread winder which was an add on. I have every attachment they made for this and it came with it! I have a 1917 White Rotary with even more attachments which I have to research what they are all used for as there are 20 of them! These do alot more then a single straight stitch!!! Now if you have a machine that only came with one foot..then naturally it would only do a simple stitch but these were made for so much more then straight stitch sewing! They had these old girls on big sailing ships! They were used for canvas sewing out on the open ocean along with mending.

[@sunshine3914]

Romy, Thanks for the info. I dealt in antiques for over 35 years & never knew!

[@fotogal13]

What a great video! I love your obsessive attention to minute detail. So informative! I can't wait to restore my grandmother's machine. I believe it's a 1904 and has the exact paint design as shown in the 2nd machine.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I sure envy you as I so wish I had my own grandmother's machine. What a wonderful heirloom you have.

[@NearlyNativeNursery]

Very good advise. Thanks for posting.

[@ankuuuu1440]

Great video! Very useful! I have a 1936 Singer machine and I just started restauring it, hopefully it will make a great piece for the living room!

[@elizabethc3842]

Oh, you're not going to use it, that is truly a shame. It's like owning a classic car but keeping it locked in a storage container and never driving it-

[@williamcampbell4137]

Thanks for the video. Just what I needed.

[@amos616]

I seriously just love your videos. They’re all so helpful and informative. Thank you!!! 🙏🏻

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Glad you like them!

[@charlottekotowski3488]

Thanks for the great video, have several machines that need restoring-- so glad I viewed this video before I ended up destroying the beautiful finishes!

[@ellenforsyth6719]

I’ve just got a 1910 (I think!) machine with gorgeous coloured decals so hoping this video will help me clean it up a bit- thank you!

[@roseanneadams3994]

Just won a vintage Packard on EBTH, so this will definitely help. Thanks so much.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Glad it helped!

[@megalopolis2015]

This was very educational and entertaining. I have a Singer 1947 201-ish series. (I got my daughter a sphinx model). I want to take as good care of it as possible. Thank you.

[@baire702]

Beautiful work!

[@Alex-wu2sl]

Hi! I just got an absolutely beautiful 1915 Singer model and I had no idea how to really make it shine, so this channel popping up on my feed is a blessing. Gonna be binging this so I don't accidentally destroy the finish or operation of the machine.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Congratulations Alex. The older these machines are, it can be challenging to find one is great condition although there are always exceptions such as yours!!

[@jshu7001]

I just found you after getting a machine from a friends family. Seems it’s dated 1906. I’m looking forward to watching and hopefully bring the machine back to life for myself and daughter to use. I believe it was stored in the house I got it from but the house hasn’t been lived in for a while and not the best condition. But I’m hopeful. The wood of the desk isn’t in the best shape but I’m sure with research I can figure that out as well. Thank you for this series.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Welcome aboard!

[@loissuppo7819]

Great information. Thank you.

[@missjibbfully]

I found my great grandmothers Singer 103D in the barn just last week. Cleaned her up, gave her oil and she is a real beauty. Only con is that parts for that machine is really hard to find (at least in Europe) as it was made in pre-WWI Germany. So I am really careful with the old lady when I'm sewing on it

[@elizabethc3842]

I find everything I need on ebay, you would be surprised at how many people have salvaged many little parts (including screw because Singer has their own thread pattern) just put in your model under the search and away you go... happy hunting 😁

[@CharlieTechie]

Lots of good information, thanks for sharing.

[@laurnabrown2601]

P.s. that machine is a BEAUTY!! Thank you for sharing

[@arettaharris4448]

Shuttle valve 580c backh

[@PotaSkylight007]

Thank you for this Video.. I just buy Singer "New Family" from 1872. On Garage sell for 30€..i can tell decal is in very good shape.. I want keep original shape..without restoration...because this is Beautiful piece of history.. And this Information is very helpfull because this is my first shewing Maschine..

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Very nice!

[@heatherstclair4167]

Wow thank you for sharing!!!

[@amyslingsby6947]

Oooh good point about the cigarette tar! I have my grandmother’s machine and want to restore it and its cabinet. However, I also have a mid-century rocking chair and multiple photo albums and they STINK of decades of cigarettes. She never smoked, but my aunt did and all the other adults. I opened an album the other day and instantly felt like I’d had a pack of Benson & Hedges menthols. They both passed in the 1990s and these things were stored in my non-smoking siblings’ cellars (!) all this time but the stink remains! The machine, like everything else, is probably thickly lacquered in tar.

[@lakeside_design]

Hello, thank you for your detailed answer, I think it's a sort of dilemma, because if I prefer wax I have no chance to change my conservation strategy, if I choose oil, I possibly rub bit by bit my nice ornamentation, I fear. But you are right, this is a lasting process and yes, it's one period of using this machine and normal traces are unavoidable and I'm OK with it. I like your kind of working, your endurance, your sensitivity your fine motor skills ;-) By the way, I've a nice tool for cleaning the place between the front linkages and the housing: there is no word at "LEO". There are felt balls with a thin long wire to coat color onto leather (shoes a.s.o.) You can buy it in different dimension (in UK?) you can bent it in position Great respect, Mathias

[@vanessajones3508]

Thank you for this video. I bought a Singer 1928 99 sewing machine. This video will be a big help to me.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Wonderful!

[@diannecass880]

your conservation methods are appreciated. 💚

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Glad you think so!

[@bigbuck6256]

Awesome video! I just got an "Free No. 5" from my grandmothers house. its in great shape but the table/cabinet needs cleaning and conditioning!

[@wilmer4258]

I have a Free no. 5 and absolutely love it. My cabinet is in fairly good condition but bits of the carved apps around the drawers have fallen off. The lovely lady runs beautifully once i cleaned and oiled her. I love her. Just acquired a Singer 25 and needed some parts and was told that my Free is a clone of the 25!!! Apparently they take the same shuttle. We shall see when the shuttle arrives.

[@nalayat2050]

if u have a canister vacuum cleaner, u can purchase a micro tool set to attach to the vacuum hose to vacuum the dust out of your sewing machine. or if you attach your vacuum cleaner hose to the exhaust end(with the micro tool attached), u will have "canned air". with the micro set, u can more or less pin point where u want to vacuum or blow out. micro sets are under $14.00.

[@samanthalowther6441]

This was an incredibly interesting video. I have loved watching it. Thank you for generously sharing your knowledge!

[@sharonwithem7817]

I just acquired a 1955 model Singer... Had no idea how to clean it... Thank you!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You're welcome!!

[@bbohe-alpacafeltartistry7779]

Thank you for this video. I just acquired a beautiful 1918 Singer treadle machine. Now I have some idea of how to restore it.

[@juliesczesny90]

My cousin gave me that one!! Just married it to a 5 drawer treadle base, that's in 3.5 out of 5 condition! I should have it, hopefully, running tomorrow, with leather belt. Has bullet shuttle & spindle bobbin! Only surface rust on metal, tiny chips on edges. Want to clean the black iron, most of the art is still there!! So, I want to reseal it all, after cleaning chips, just below the edge trim! I've dusted it, blown it.

[@juliesczesny90]

Mine is identical to the second, because of the lower spindle winder!! ❤

[@jf8461]

Very informative, thanks!

[@angrytrees7519]

Just got one with the table from what I think is 1904 today. It appears that someone tried to clean it with something harsh in the past because the finish is messed up. Going to do my best though. I'll be bingeing your videos !

[@armydrake01]

Very informative and easy to understand. Great video.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thank you!

[@bbrosser694]

I am excited to find you here on KZbin, since I would like to know much more about cleaning and properly caring for a vintage Singer Treadle sewing machine-- Black with decorative decals. Your recommendations as to what types of products to use for cleaning made a huge difference, because I know that in the past I've chosen the wrong types of products. So, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks for watching BB and congrats on getting your treadle Singer back to looking great!!

[@witchvideofly]

I have this exact machine. I just got it. 🤩

[@purpy102]

I don't use water on my vintage machines, only sewing machine oil. Water can silver the decals. I use t-shirt scraps, much softer than tissues.

[@lw2471]

Hi, is that synthetic sewing machine oil? Thank you!

[@jeanburgin160]

Good information, I have a 127J that I want to clean up and make lovely again. I have subscribed to learn your methods... thank you for sharing... That is beautiful and there sure is a difference.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks and welcome

[@deannesherriff3247]

I’ve just bought a 66k with lotus decals, made in 1924, it’s been converted to electric from hand crank. Needs a lot of cleaning and tlc, but nonetheless works well. Beautiful.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Very cool!

[@baire702]

I’m a preserver too. I like to keep her as original as possible. I think all these gals have earned their bumps and bruises.

[@elizabethc3842]

It's what makes them unique

[@gergemall]

Thank you so much, an amazing transformation.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You're most welcome

[@squatchhammer7215]

Thanks for the information. I had a hard time to find a good lacquer cleaning video for my Remington Typewriter.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@korenjulietcarver402]

What do you recommend putting on as a protective coat? I have seen some videos of people putting Shellac on it after they have cleaned it. I recently got a Singer 12k from the 1880s and I would like to protect it from wearing away any further. Thank you!

[@al5547]

Oh man, thank you; I just got a Raymond treadle, and have been very nervous about how to clean it without damaging the decals any more than they already are.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

No problem 👍

[@Don-bi6zc]

I restore antiques frequently, working on an old Miami sewing machine right now. For non lacquered parts I've found Zippo lighter fluid works great. lacquer was applying with denatured alcohol. Thanks for the video.

[@juli.strangex]

I just got a Victoria nutzstich zz-570, wich has a YMK-40 motor. I will clean it and can’t wait to use it

[@larryrowe5259]

Wish I had seen this video 3 hours ago. I just "cleaned" my 1914 singer with foam window spray and paper towels! Crap. I'm not doing anything else until I see your next video on the metal parts.

[@semperfi-1918]

Good video. I just picked up a nice 1941 singer in a small table. Table needs TLC but overall the paint and decals i can tell looks good.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Very cool!

[@LRWdesign]

I have a treadle Singer 66 that I need to clean and restore. The cabinet has some lifted and broke veneer in places. I am watching your videos t assist me in cleaning it. The machine looks to be in good condition, the cabinet needs some minor work and the treadle needs a refinish. But overall I think I can restore it and use it. It was my grandmothers.

[@loriscook5231]

Mine is 1923 Singer made in Scotland with a Lotus decal. It’s easy to look up online and date your machine by the number on it. Mine had an easy life and was kept out of the sun as the decals and wood cabinet was in very good condition. I love domestic antiques, I think about the people who used them and their lives and families.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Very cool!

[@wendypillemer5383]

Thank-you for this useful video. I became interested in these older machines last month when I was sewing pleated masks. The 8 layers of cotton challenged my Husquarva Viking, and I was directed toward and started to appreciate these machines- which I had previously disdained as a “gramma machine”. Soon after I acquired a “Precision Super Deluxe” with an ARROW badge. The tension knobs is on the front of the machine, the same as it is in your 15-91 video. It is very heavy and looks well maintained, but It has a mildew odor that I never believed possible for a large metal object. I wiped it down with warm water and soap ( before viewing this), and have been airing it outside for almost 2 weeks. It is a lot better, but if I bring it inside and put in my sewing room it, the musty smell rapidly disperses from the machine. Any suggestions?

[@elizabethc3842]

There has to be something inside the machine that rotted, old thread maybe or fabric, take it apart or have someone service it, I would bet a million you will find something stuck in the workings. Please let me know what you find. [e-mail]

[@HegenerHomestead]

Can one repaint a clear coat of lacquer to seal everything and protect it longer? My decals are starting to come off when I got it. I have a 128-3

[@aprallen1]

When applying oil to the paint finish will it completely soak in and dry? I was just wondering because if you sew with it you don't want oil on the fabric.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hi. No, sewing oil is not self drying. After applying to the paint finish, you want to buff it with a soft cloth. This should remove excess residue so that you can work with your fabrics on the machine surface. After applying oil to the paint finish, I would do some test stitching to ensure that the scrap fabric does not pick up any oil which should ensure you have a clean surface.

[@Haforn-ng2vy]

Once you have cleaned the surface as much as is possible, is there anything you do or that can be done to stabilise and protect what remains of the finish? I note that in places the shellac appears to be all but worn through and the surface of the decals appears exposed in places.I have seen people suggest re-shellacking but I suspect this might look a bit odd with an aged machine - high gloss over a damaged and uneven base. Is there a polish or something similar that can be put on such that further ware is slowed down?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I normally suggest buffing with sewing machine oil. Some people have used car waxes (NOT the cleaner waxes or compounds), but you must experiment with those carefully as any abrasives in many car waxes can make things worse. You might search out furniture paste waxes but do test cautiously and see if you find something that will offer a bit of a seal to preserve what remains of your original finish. I do not strip and refinish machines in part because it would require a full stripping without which I believe you are correct about it looking odd and not coherent to the original design. Others may have found alternatives and it would be interesting to hear of any.

[@0michelleki020]

I got a Singer Model 28K today from my workplace for free, it's in good condition with manual and everything.

[@gregorypoirier3256]

How did singer do the red color on the end cap and side cover on1906 Singer 27 Sphinx Treadle Sewing Machine? Was that a paint or what? Thank you

[@131dyana]

Thank you very informative.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You are welcome!

[@jayanthonyolson]

So I have recently bought one of these at a re-store. It's not the exact same, it is one made by Standard and has Model N on the side and at the top it says "Howe Improved" and has the table and foot pedal mechanism. I originally bought it because I wanted to use the base as a stand for a coffee table. The wooden table/housing part is in very poor condition. I just want to know if it has some kind of historical value or if I can go ahead and give it a new purpose? I can email you photos too if you'd like.

[@rowdeyredgirl1]

I just bought a New Domestic with the treadle stand. It has a motor added on it. I can see the imprint of decals but the machine is all black. I want to clean it and use it. Anithing you can suggest would be appreciated. Love this vid. Very helpful ❤

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

See my CLEANING SERIES of videos for ideas on how to properly clean a machine.

[@monicah325]

This video was so helpful! Do you have a preferred brand of sewing machine oil for these types of machines?

[@valentinalucherini7607]

Thank you for your video...they are so helpful and descriptive! I just bought a singer 15 treadle and the previous owner was sanding the table with the machine on. The resultsbis that now the machine is caked in sawdust. You mentioned canned air... do you think that an air compressor could be a good idea or it is too aggressive? Thank you!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Great question. I would avoid canned air in this situation as it can cause problems with getting the dust in places you don't want it. What would work well is a vaccum cleaner with a small attachment. Stores also sell small sets of micro attachments for vacuums for when you want to clean computer keyboards or car interiors. That is what I use.

[@321beaches]

Thanks SO much for all the info. It was just like sitting with you and learning from all your experience. Watching you gave me the confidence to buy a Singer 66 from 1920 today. When I got it home I actually squealed when I discovered the original manual in the drawer! My goal is to restore it myself. I plan on watching your videos and taking it slow. Do you have a video that addresses how to clean the base the cabinet sits on? The iron on the base of mine has quite a bit of rust, especially closer to the floor. The 4 wheels themselves do turn but are very rusty. I figure I can learn on the base and get better by the time I get to the machine itself. =) Thanks again!

[@baire702]

Special Miami Homes Team well done! KZbin videos are excellent source for cleaning up these gals. :-)

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

You can either remove rust, (abrasion) or use a rust inhibitor that bonds with the oxidation. Google it, as I am no restoration expert and better educated minds will have published on it. But rust inhibitor turns it black, then you need to paint over it to protect the treated places. I’m really happy with it. Got it off Amazon for $6.

[@elizabethc3842]

Some of it may not be rust, sometimes old oil turns orage-ish, but with gentle cleaning you may find it perserved it, or not 🙄