Help cleaning a tin phonograph?

[columbia1spring]

Members.
I have a Bingola II that plays and sounds wonderful. The problem is it’s extremely dirty from sitting. (as found).
Any tips/advice on how to clean it. I’m not looking for miracles, but maybe the top layer of filth, without damaging the decals.
I tried Dawn and a soft sponge, did nothing..
Thank You!

[An Balores]

The top looks very dirty - and maybe a bit of rust. Hopefully someone will pop up on here in a bit with a definitive cleaning method for this, but I might be inclined to try very careful use of some T- to bring it back up a bit. Go easy though, as you don't want to remove the pretty design or other paintwork

[Curt A]

Try WD-40 - it won't hurt it and will probably brighten the paint without damaging the graphics. It works great on painted horns.

[columbia1spring]

I will try it asap,
Thank You!

[columbia1spring]

Under the turntable, the motor access panel, the WD 40 cleaned that right up, the rest of the machine, it
didn’t do anything, my soft rag didn’t even get dirty..

[Curt A]

Trying anything more aggressive might cause some damage to the graphics... so, use caution. The real problem is the rust.

[Curt A]

Maybe Gregg Cline could make a decal to duplicate the graphics. Then, you could strip the machine to bare metal and restore it.
https://www.phonodecal.com

[Curt A]

The cabinet looks like a canned ham tin...

Screenshot 2024-02-29 at 4.16.07 PM.png (352.63 KiB) Viewed 212 times

[Marco Gilardetti]

Maybe Gregg Cline could make a decal to duplicate the graphics. Then, you could strip the machine to bare metal and restore it.
https://www.phonodecal.com

I definitely wouldn't do that on a machine that still has its original decals.

Have you already tried with some window cleaning fluid? The best known around here is named Glassex, but I think that similar fluids are available all over. In my experience, these have a high cleaning power, but at the same time I have never had anything damaged. You might try it first over an area in which there is no decal, just to see if the dirt goes away. Then, if positive, test it over a part of a decal, perhaps one that is in a quite hidden spot, or the decal you like least.

[columbia1spring]

I’ve tried using windex and it didn’t do anything. I think I’ll just leave it as is for a future restorer down the road. Who knows what they may have 50-100 years from now.