Razor cleaning help {please}

I should be getting my fatboys soon how do I go about getting the water out of the brush? do you have a fatboy?
could you give me some insight on how to properly clean it { I will be using a ultra sonic cleaner on a 30 second run with dawn dish soap}

I am sorry I have made so many threads I just have a lot of questions and you guys are very knowledgeable I value your input greatly and I have nothing but respect for every forum member, so if any one can help me please do. Thanks godbless

 

When I pick up a vintage razor from an antique store I usually just soak it in some hot (not boiling) water with some dish soap. If there is any crud on the razor I will give it a light scrub with a soft bristle toothbrush until it's clean. That is usually sufficient for cleaning. Just to appease my germaphobe nature I usually give the head a 30 second soak in rubbing alcohol. Let it dry in the open position for a while and then lube any moving parts with a few drops of mineral oil. That's all it usually takes!

 

Scrubbing Bubbles(non bleach), a vigorous scrubbing with a toothbrush, maybe a little dish detergent also. Then some toothpaste with a stiff bristle nylon brush.
That should do 'er.

 

Yup.

 

Don't worry about getting the water out. Wipe it down and hang it up in a stand to dry. If you don't have a stand then look for an inexpensive test tube rack.

a spray painted wood rack


clear plastic two level rack
​

Test tube rack work well, cost far less than "Razor Stands" are designed to not scratch plastic or glass test tubes and last most forever.

Don't worry about there being more holes than you have razors. Just like socks mate during hot humid drying stages when one sock evolves into a coat hanger (and you wondered why you have so many single socks and so many extra coat hangers), so will razors give birth to more razors.

 

What are you asking with this question? Water out of a shaving brush? Rinse...shake...let dry.

 

Yup. Yup. Yup.

 

Don't over think this thing we call traditional wet shaving. Enjoy your shave.

 

@Tylervanstone you are doing the right thing by asking the experts here. All of this advice is good; especially the over thinking part. As to razor cleaning: you can be as anal or lazy as you want. If you want the razor to be absolutely sparking and completely reconditioned, then enlist Capn' Murphy to clean it for you and get one of the re-platers (I like Razorplate.com) to make it brand new again (remember: no kill like overkill; but the results will astonish you). If you want it super clean and you think it would be really cool to have it look very different then you might think of spending even more money and use one of the gun coat specialists (Delta Echo Razors, North Shore Razors). If you just want it really clean and make sure that all of the soap scum is cleaned out then I would boil some water in a small pot, take it off the heat for a minute and then drop the razor in; leave it until the water is cool and then use a toothbrush and some Scrubbing Bubbles (will probably have about the same effect as your ultrasonic cleaner). Simple, gets out the gunk (if there is any), and disinfects (barbers use barbicide or hydrocide, but remember, there is no kill, like overkill). Or, you could just use the Scrubbing Bubbles and get to shaving 5 minutes after you unwrap your new purchase.

So, I say this from experience because I have sunk lots of money in all of these methods. I think there is some merit to all of them, but it really depends on you and your tolerance for clean things and spending money. Good luck with your Fatboy(s) and, by all means, enjoy your shave.

 

I always let a used, new to me razor soak overnight in some hot water / dish detergent. I put in in an old, clean peanut butter jar with the lid so I can swirl it around for the slightest agitation of the water.

The next morning, there is always bits of old stubble and crud floating around in the water.

This is a step I will never skip.

 

I have bought a couple vintage razors. My technique is to run the razor through 2 cycles of my sonic cleaner with hot water and a little dish soap. Then rinse and soak it in rubbing alcohol for 30 minutes. Then dry completely and using a Q tip lubricate it with a little mineral oil. The razors that I have purchased were already in pretty clean shape. This was more to do a final cleaning, sanitizing and lubrication before use. Razors were a Gillette G1 Fatboy and a Gillette Slim.

Not everyone has a sonic cleaner - I have one for cleaning ammunition brass. You can get a nice one for not that much money and they work great on cleaning any metal or even jewelry.

 

I forgot to say that I also use silver polish to give it a nice luster finish when done cleaning.

 

Dishwasher. Never had a problem with an all-metal razor.

 

I'm just scared the ultra sonic cleaner will cause brassing I should use rubbing alcohol do I have to put mineral oil on the razor? if so where do I put it?

 

Granted I don't have an ultra sonic cleaner, but a few razors I got from buying in lots were cruddy. I just soaked them for a few hours with Dawn dish soap. Then I use a tooth brush to get it clean, then afterwards I polish them with Flitz, even putting Flitz on the tooth bush for hard to reach areas. That's all I needed to do and they come out great.

 

But will the ultra sonic cleaner damage my razors that's all I am asking Its a real good US cleaner brand new and I bought it to use on my razors I would like to know your opinion on the use of my ultra sonic cleaner will it cause brassing? thanks

I would wash it once a week in the us cleaner

 

The US cleaner alone shouldn't hurt the finish. But, what ever you use as a detergent might. So, maybe just water. Remember that these razors are old and they were probably used most everyday until SE injectors came on the scene or when Gillette introduced the Trac II. You might find some pitting or brassing from the normal use that they were getting back in the day (just like my old cameras). But, they were made to take some punishment. Especially, for the nature of shaving (being subjected to water daily is a recipe for some corrosion and surface wear). So, they will be fine with a normal wipe with a wet cloth and then buffed up with a dry one.

I don't think I would subject it to a weekly ultrasonic cleaning. That just might cause the finish to wear faster. I think once a year or two would be enough; a bit like jewelry. You will be fine with a good buff up after you use it each time and then a monthly (or so) cleaning with Dow Bathroom Cleaner or similar.

Edit:
I don't know if an ultrasonic cleaner will affect the finish or not. But, I would imagine the frequent use of an ultrasonic cleaner will increase the chances of damaging the finish. Just a guess though.

As to where to put mineral oil. I use it all of the time (pretty much every time I use a razor). I put a drop on the TTO joint and twist a few times, then wipe up the excess. I put a drop down the center of the stem at the blade base and twist a few times. Then, stand it upright.

 

I use dawn dish soap

 

I pretty much do the same as @jimjo1031 mentioned above. I do like to barbicide prior to the flitz, however.

 

Yeah, I do 90% alcohol myself, forgot to mention it, ooops.