Joe shows some simple cleaning techniques for vintage typewriter restoration. This video also shows how to adjust sticking keys and clean a crinkle finish. Machine used is a 1956 Underwood Leader.
Thanks for the advice here. I've recently found my grandmother's Remington travel typewriter and stuck keys are the biggest problem I have right now. Thank you again
How did you get into this hobby? Or is it a side profession? Learned to type on typewriter in my senior year of high school. Loved the tactile feel of the keys.
Thank you SO MUCH Joe for such a thorough and detailed tutorial, with all sorts of additional techniques to consider. I particularly liked the idea of spraying some cleaner in a container lid to dip the brush into, as well as the option the place the typewriter into a large plastic bin while cleaning it with compressed air! I do not own an air compressor, but I could borrow one from a good friend, worse case. I am interested in purchasing one for myself, so if you have any recommendations on what size, type, or brand would be suitable for this task, please let me know! I now have TWO old typewriters in my possession, and neither have been cleaned as of yet. The most recent typewriter was given to me as a gift from a loved on last weekend! So I definitely need to get them cleaned up, and am motivated to do it, especially now that there are TWO of them waiting for some TLC! Last question- do you have any videos on your channel regarding how to clean the platen of a typewriter, what products to use or not use, or any other instructions or advice? Thanks again! Fawn 😊
You’re welcome! A few cans of compressed air might save you the effort of getting an air compressor. I will say the power of an air compressor is hard to beat for blasting crud out quickly. Duster cans will do the same job though, I’ve used them at home. You know, I swore I shot a video about platen sanding but I don’t know if I ever published it. I’ll try to find my own. I think Phoenix Typewriter will have videos about the process if you want to get the right idea
Thanks a lot for the video! It helped me fixing my sticking keys. Do you know where to find the screws to adjust the misalignment on an Underwood Leader or Universal?
Not all brass coloured brushes are brass - test with a magnet. Often a suede brush from a shoe shop might be brass and might have nice soft wires. Alternative is use and electric toothbrush.
No. Don’t put oil inside a typewriter. It will temporarily smooth the action then gum up everything a few weeks later. To substitute Lacquer Thinner you might try Isopropyl Alcohol, Acetone or Mineral Spirits
Thaks for this video! Question: Will the solvent damage any electrical components in my 1962-63 electric Singer typewriter? (smith-corona made it)? Question 2: and what type of solvent do you think is safe to use on a 'yellowed' tab bar. It looks like it could be some type of cream colored plastic, but yellowed with age, aged with skin oils ?? but i can't identify type of plastic used in 60's anywhere in my internet searches. comments welcome.
These cleaning techniques are for manual typewriters. Electronic typewriters are not my specialty but the mechanical components should be cleanable just like this video. As to the electronics, if at all possible keep them dry. Maybe opt for isopropyl alcohol in the highest concentration (90% or higher) so the least amount of water possible is used for cleaning and any wet spots will readily evaporate. I actually have a video about fixing oxidized plastic keys: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jSJXIcpL7XM.html Or a less intense method that should work the same: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ceNV7X6Q3g4.html
I thought these spots were White Out, but they turned out to be bare metal reflecting the light that was shining on the machine. I have found many spots of White Out on typewriters before, but usually they are on the platen.
Just cleaned an identical Underwood Leader, that light blue paint on the ribbon cover doesn’t hold up well to aggressive scrubbing but it’s really cute. Without any sound-deadening material lining the shell, though, the noise is a bit much
Avoid WD40 because it deposits wax that will gum up a typewriter. It is a lazy method that doesn’t work I think most typewriters have bells. Maybe not if it’s really old like 100+ years
It’s not ideal, and could damage the platen if it were really rock hard. This platen had a lot of elasticity left so it handled my mistreatment without issue.
