Typewriter Platen Cleaning How to Clean Feed and Bail Rollers Rejuvenate Remove Ink

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Yes, I have been using this method for 30 yrs with no adverse effects Nothing much is gonna hurt these old time hard as glass rollers BUT if they are new recovered rollers I go easy with the LT

[@E_Proxy]

Beautiful and clear as always ❤️

[@kwacz]

I was always taught to use soap and water on anything rubber such as dawn dish soap for example. Clean then rinse with clean water and dry. Things like alcohol for example will over time dry out rubber with repeated applications. Don't know about laquor thinner though. I have in the past cleaned platens and rubber rollers with pb blaster quickly (after removing from machine) and then immediately clean thoroughly with dish soap and rinse / dry. But I would not let the pb blaster sit on it for any length of time just in case. It does a good job at getting them cleaned off.

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Well been using LT for 40+ years with no negative effects, give the best grip of all methods Sometimes depending on the gunk on a platen I do use simple green, then LT A new roller I would refrain from using LT, maybe just a few drops on a rag

[@kwacz]

@@phoenixtypewriter2136 good to know this is safe method. I did not know.

[@BaoBao0923]

Just got the platen off my Remington, time to clean

[@woodrowclose]

Can you use rubbing alcohol to do the same job

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Lacquer thinner is much stronger, never tried rubbing alcohol, try it, report back the results, can't hurt anything . . . .

[@woodrowclose]

@@phoenixtypewriter2136 I will do. Expecting a delivery tomorrow of the rubbing alcohol.

[@someonespadre]

@@woodrowclose I think rubbing alcohol is mostly water. Hardware store has the 99% isopropyl alcohol but I didn’t want to buy a whole gallon. Lacquer Thinner is a more reasonable option.

[@woodrowclose]

@@someonespadre Many thanks David. I will try the lacquer thinner.

[@tmunk]

Do you ever notice that Olympia platens tend to have a lot of white paper glaze on them? I've found that adding a little water to the mix cuts that right off, but I'm curious if that is just a weird coincidence about Oly platens that anyone else notices.

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Not sure if it just Olympia's, because I have seen odd stuff on platens that the lacquer thinner has no effect on, And then I use simple green (mostly water) and comes right off..... So yea there is certainly variables to take into account.

[@danmiller6890]

I’ve had good luck with a green Scotch brite pad and Soft Scrub liquid cleanser. I take it out of the machine, stand it up in the sink and scrub it (only the rubber) with hot water and the Soft Scrub. I then rinse it thoroughly and meticulously dry it immediately. Comes out looking like new. Just my humble experience. :)

[@DirtydogMech]

What about soap and water? Like dawn dish soap ?

[@Lexig76]

The platen rollers on my typewriters are pretty hard, would it be too risky to use this method on them? Luckily none of them are cracked, but I do want to be cautious.

[@natorusemporium645]

How would I clean my feed rollers, as they are made from cork?

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

I don't know . . . .

[@cheynobi]

Will mineral spirits work on the roller?

[@Lexig76]

I’ve heard that it’ll eat away at the platen. I’ve never tried it, but I have avoided doing so 😅

[@linuslingenfelter5026]

How would I make new rollers? My old Model 10 needs some serious help with those... They are flattening out and cracking. Would there be a way to do this without making a new one? Thanks for all help

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

You have to fabricate them, or send then to jjshort.com for perfect new rubber Use automotive hoses, vacuum, windshield wiper. Hobby RC fuel lines, Etc to fabricate

[@hannahsayers652]

I'm getting a new typewriter and I have a few questions. 1. How can I tell if a platen needs cleaned? 2. What else could I use to clean a platen if in a pinch, or is lacquer thinner preferred? 3. If I use lacquer thinner do I need to wait for it to dry before using? How long does it take to dry? 4. Is it possible to over clean a platen? 5. Are there signs I should look for that might indicate the platen needs to be replaced?

[@elijahwolter9235]

1: you can tell the platen needs clean if here is ink from people typing on it without paper, if it just looks dusty and dirty. 2: I would say mineral spirts might work. I use mineral spirts to clean the segment and typeface. I myself have never cleaned a platen like this. I use a product called rubber rejuvenator. It’s $15 a can. It’s won’t get your platen super soft but with a few treatments I was able to get nail scratches show up on my platen and feed rollers. 3: I would wait over night just to be in the safe side as these are very old brittle pieces of rubber. As always take care when handling them if you drop one and crack it it’s $150 to get rubber reapplied by JJ Short. Or you will have to track down a replacement which can be a pain. 4. I would say it’s possible to over clean if you are being rough with it. You don’t want to strip the rubber you want to remove ink and dirt. 5. You can tell the platen needs replace if it is cracked in any spot, flaking, maybe melted if it was in a fire, or it has been dropped and cracked. I’m still learning about this. I have been doing this off and on for a year and a half. So far I have done 8 machines and haven’t had a problem with them. I just finished working on my first platen a few hours ago. I re did it after it had sit for a year. I did it before that also. I would suggest you join the antique typewriter repair group on Facebook. They will help you in more ways than you can imagine. I group where everyone knowledge is worth more than it’s weight in gold. Good luck with your new typewriter! Once you get one you won’t want to stop. Also be prepared to have to do a little work on them rather that be cleaning, or having to bend parts or replace them. Always use the right tools for the job. Hope this helps!

[@kaisatous8996]

@@elijahwolter9235 can i use isopropyl alcohol to clean?

[@BokBarber]

Laquer thinner mostly contains acetone these days. Could I just use acetone and get similar results? Asking because it's what I have on hand.

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Yes, Acetone just dry's faster, a lot faster, but that should work great for platen cleaning

[@georgebernstein1203]

Will the lacquer thinner do anything to soften the rubber? Will it harm it? Thank you.

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Nothing "softens" rubber, Been using LT on rubber platens/rollers for 40 yrs with no harm

[@magsos6152]

I know it’s been a few years since you posted this but is mineral turpentine the same thing? and would it work?

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

I don't know, I do know the main chemical ingredient in lacquer thinner is acetone Not sure what the primary ingredient is in turpentine Can't hurt to try . . . .

[@seannead.wharton4595]

How to fix a platen on a royal varsity? I don’t want to spend 100$ to get a new platen because I’m just learning to use it. There are no cracks just indents from the keyslugs.

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

You can remove and sand it . . . . . kzbin.info/www/bejne/noXSmqKQiJ6keqc

[@seannead.wharton4595]

How to sand it?

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

@@seannead.wharton4595 I put this link in last comment ..... kzbin.info/www/bejne/noXSmqKQiJ6keqc

[@user-ly5ev6hx8e]

Can I use paint thinner for the platen and type slugs?

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Short Answer = Yes

[@larosehatcompany2433]

Does this soften the rubber too?

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

No, nothing works to soften 60 year old hardened rubber It does give it better grip, only way to get rubber close to original is have it recovered jjshort.com

[@dianemaher3538]

What kind of lacquer thinner do you use? Where can it be purchased?

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Automotive paint shops have the best LT, homedepo & walmart carry LT too....

[@DeePsix501]

Phoenix Typewriter think mineral spirits would work just as well?

[@davef85]

How is the lacquer thinner not dissolving the rubber?

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

All depends on the chemical compounds of the plastic/rubber, never seen LT dissolve rubber, it will melt certain plastics, but for example, LT will melt Selectric II keytops, but Selectric III it does not. Rubber on platen rollers are impervious to chemicals, although I have never soaked them long term Been using LT on rubber and platen rollers for 45yrs with NO negative effects

[@FrankRomerophoto]

Wow, how often do you clean the platen with thinner?

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

when it needs it ? could be once a year, could be once every decade . . .

[@FrankRomerophoto]

@@phoenixtypewriter2136 Great. thx.

[@perrybucsdad]

Would denatured alcohol work as well? I use that for cleaning old oil off of clock movements and have it handy.

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Should work fine . . .

[@bwhog]

The real mystery is how to get liquid paper off! That stuff, on rollers, is like trying to clean ink stains out of a white work shirt that the boss made you wear to the office and then gave you a cheap-a** leaky fountain pen to carry in your pocket as a welcoming present.

[@gregcrandell8325]

Great videos!! Where do you get the bottles with the long spout that you use to apply the lacquer thinner? Is it safe to keep the thinner in these bottles? I would think if not sealed the answer would be no. Can you use lacquer thinner to clean the segment and joints as well? Thank you.

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Yes Yes Yes, I have had lacquer thinner in some of these bottle for 10 years, my bench bottles I never close They do close and seal good (link below) I use LT for about everything but plastics, one drop will mar some plastic www.jensentools.com/125-093-long-reach-lube-all-dispensing-bottle-4-oz/p/125-093

[@kaisatous8996]

Is isopropyl alcohol fine for cleaning typewriters?

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Depending what parts of a typewriter, yes sure.

[@kaisatous8996]

@@phoenixtypewriter2136 could i use it on the roller and the slugs?

[@jessicagalloway3465]

Do you by chance know where I could get a new feed roller (the back roller, new to old typwriters) for a 1940 magic margin royal typwriter? Stumbled upon one and got it all cleaned up. Noticed the back roller has cracks.

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

JJshort.com recovers rollers with new rubber , sometime you can strip roller and replace with rubber tubing, usually from an automotive store, vacuum hose

[@seannead.wharton4595]

Someone online said to use dishwasher liquid. Why the lacquer?

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Lacquer thinner because it's my primary cleaning fluid, takes all the ink and gunk off, add's more grip, works fast, inexpensive etc . But you ask 10 people, you'll get 10 answers. If you ask 10 professional tech's, you'll find they are using LT or some other strong chemical

[@seannead.wharton4595]

What brand of lawyer thinner?

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

@@seannead.wharton4595 I don't think brand matters, but I go to Automotive paint store, they have PPG brand

[@solstar4778]

New platin needed !

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Yes ! ALL these vintage typewriters need could benefit from new platen rollers

[@dadtype2339]

I love that quick release on Smith Corona machines, love love love it, so easy and so awesome , makes me wanna do fist pumps throughout the house praising the Engineer God's of Old.. because this was addressed and they just did an awesome job, for once thank God this was done and done right. Other machines it's like you need an atomic screwdriver set, a headlamp , a candle, a lucky rabbits foot, a cross a mirror, a young priest and an old priest, a bottle of Jameson, a magnetic wand and then you need rope and an eight foot ladder under one arm and a bucket of tears in the other, as you run up hill in the snow both ways, at full speed to find the Well Timmy is in, only to gather the towns people and get all the rigging completed and you lower down two volunteers, who then come back up for flashlights and changed their minds they now want to be paid and they make their own handmade shovels, they go back down to dig nextdoor to reach Timmy, because the Well Timmy is in he slipped through the drainage bars, there is no way to get him the way he went in, no way what so ever, the way it should work doesn't, it's a fools errand, forget it need to go another way, once there at the bottom, fire and explosives and mountains of cussing followed by hours of saying I'm sorry I didn't mean it please forgive me at outside a bathroom door at 2AM on a Monday, and then Timmy, you just want to strangle the engineer who did this, but finally after all that comes up and out of the machine! Sigh...yeah I really love the Smithy's as I call them.❤

[@fraserihle4847]

Lacquer thinner is not a specific name for a profit worldwide….what is the actual chemical that Americans are referring to when they say lacquer thinner?

[@phoenixtypewriter2136]

Google it . . . . www.sunnysidecorp.com/product.php?p=t&b=s&n=457G1