Received my $3 Gem Junior - and it needs some work

Received the Gem Junior I bought for $3.

The Good: Functionally it's very sound. The head opens and closes very firmly. There are no cracks or anything. Should perform well.

The Not-so-Good: It's in a bit of a yuck-is-that-mold?-tarnished-state and will need a bit of TLC to get to a point where I feel like actually using it

I wasn't too sure how I'd like this short, chubby handle but it actually feels really good to hold and I would love to be able to try it out and shave with it.

Right now it's enjoying being soaked in some water and mild dishwasher detergent. Might keep it in there over night.

Apart from that I am open to any suggestions as to the best way of cleaning it up.

Here's some piccies of the mess:

 

I've got one just like that. It should clean up pretty good. I think you will enjoy it if you have a good blade to go in it. The handle is kind of weird, but then again, so am I.

 

I swear by Scrubbing Bubbles.
Eats soap scum
Disinfects
Leaves the razor nice and shiny

 

So far my plan for cleaning this lil thing up is;
- soak it in water and detergent for hours,
- scrubbing bubbles and old, soft toothbrush,
- Maas

Mostly because I have all those things available

 

Overkill, in my opinion. 10-15 minutes with the Scrubbing Bubbles and a soft tooth brush is all I've used on all my razors.

 

I just can't get over that handle. I don't think I'd be able to use it.

 

Thanks, will be quite a feat (wonder?) if I can make mine look like yours. Beautiful.

 

I thought so too - but was very surprised of how comfortable it is to hold.

 

I just looked mine up, and I got it on the bay in January of 2013 for $3.50. I was very happy. GEMs are a bargain that many unwittingly pass by.

 

Agreed. Soaking it all night in soapy water won't make it any "cleaner" than a few minutes. The green is where the plating is gone and the brass underneath is tarnished.

The 1912's with the large Bakelite handles came out in the late 30's.

 

Thanks, I did end up taking it out of the soapy water after a couple of hours and am about to have a go at it with some scrubbing bubbles and see where that gets me.

 

I have one and I, too, was surprised that it wasn't awkward to hold and use.
I do find, however, that for me the shave isn't as comfortable as Gem's MMOC or Clog-Pruf offerings.
But that's me.
May it serve you well!!

 

Could using some Maas on this hurt the gold plating?
I can't ever seem to remember when to - and when not to - use Maas

 

I wouldn't. That plating is thin.
Like I said, I've been happy with the shine Scrubbing Bubbles leaves behind.

 

After cleaning you can use the Haggery's Silver polish I recommended since it is specifically designed for soft metals and plating such as silver and gold.

MAAS is much, much too strong for gold plate and even Flitz is too strong. They are not to be used on gold or silver plating.

 

Thanks, I already got a bottle of that in my Amazon cart