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It's been a while since I posted anything although I'm on here daily reading
Just acquired a nice Victor 16. The cabinet is very nice except it's very dark, almost black. You can hardly see any of the wood grain and nice book matched veneer. My question is how do I clean though all that old polish, dirt and 95 years of build up?
I have read other posts about using Kotton kleanser and go Jo non pumice.
If I was to use the Kotton cleaner, how do I go about doing this safely? The outside finish has a crazed look to it as well
Just wanted to see what others have done and how's the best way to clean the machine finish

I haven't used Kotton Kleanser, but GoJo works very well, and is less expensive.

With the latter, use the following approach: Get a couple of tubs of GoJo, some brushes, and some extra fine synthetic steel wool. Slather on the stuff with a brush, wait a few minutes, and then start rubbing it down carefully with the steel wool; you should see the dirt starting to come off. Once you've gone over the cabinet, wipe off the residue with a rag, and let it sit for a day or two, then repeat the process until you get all the dirt off.

The finish will still be alligatored, but that is a different matter.

Bill

My personal preference is for Kotton Klenser, just because I have had consistent good luck with it, but won't knock GoJo because I haven't really tried it.

Using KK is simplicity itself. You just paint it on with a paint brush and let it sit for maybe 15 minutes or so. Then wipe it off with paper towels and the grunge will come off with it. If you think you need to retreat more aggressively after the first application, reapply with some 0000 steel wool, rubbing (not too aggressively) with the grain, followed by the wait and wipe off. Be cautious with not over-rubbing with the steel wool on the high points of molding, etc. I usually don't use the steel wool with the first application because I am often pleased with the results of the first treatment without having to use it. You can always retreat as necessary, but if you are too aggressive the first time you can never reverse that.

You will notice when you are done that the surface feels a bit damp. This is normal and will disappear in a couple of days. When it is good and dry, I follow up with some Kotton Klenser lemon oil and beeswax polish.

I have brought several case finishes back to life this way without the result ever looking over done.

Clay

Victrolaman wrote:It's been a while since I posted anything although I'm on here daily reading
Just acquired a nice Victor 16. The cabinet is very nice except it's very dark, almost black. You can hardly see any of the wood grain and nice book matched veneer. My question is how do I clean though all that old polish, dirt and 95 years of build up?
I have read other posts about using Kotton kleanser and go Jo non pumice.
If I was to use the Kotton cleaner, how do I go about doing this safely? The outside finish has a crazed look to it as well
Just wanted to see what others have done and how's the best way to clean the machine finish

What is the original finish ( underside of lid, top of motor-board, etc. ) - was it red mahogany ?

Victor did offer the XVI in "English" or "Flemish" Oak, which is VERY dark, almost black... (on purpose)...

Great, thanks so much guys for the replies Yes under the lid it looks not like a red color but a brown mahogany? But the outside of the cabinet is so dark its very dark almost black and cant see the grain at all just a little. i can try to post a pic of it. Im always nervous about cleaning. But i have seen before and after pics of when using the Kotton cleanser or gojo and was impressed. The victor 16 has alot of carving flowers Ect like the 17 i have and i was going to just use a toothbrush around those. I do have so 0000 steel wool to, i was just going to go with the grain the wirght of my hand is all.

Also what can i use to polish the tone arm and all the gold hardware. I think they used a thin plating of real gold on those and didnt want to clean with something to will remove that but more or less just polish and bring a shine back.

When i bought my victor 17 about 6 years ago all i needed to use on that was some howards feed and wax and it was fine. Guess it depends on the conditions where the machine was in. From what i can tell it looks like 95 years of polish, cig or cigar smoke.
I will try the Kotton cleanser and see how i make out and report back. Should i wait till spring warmer weather or will the winter cold not help? i was going to do this in my garage

I will leave it to others re cleaning in a cold garage. I live in Florida.

Ammonia is great for cleaning the gold plated parts. It will remove the crud without harming the gold plating, which is very thin and gold is a soft metal easy to trash.

Clay

FloridaClay wrote:I will leave it to others re cleaning in a cold garage. I live in Florida.

Ammonia is great for cleaning the gold plated parts. It will remove the crud without harming the gold plating, which is very thin and gold is a soft metal easy to trash.

Clay

Just to add one caveat, be sure to remove the hardware prior to cleaning an use the ammonia in a well-ventilated area (and away from the cabinet!).

As others have said, Gojo cream works well on cabinets. For stubborn areas, I use naphtha and #0000 steel wool.

On my honor, I have nothing to do with the company (other than as a customer), but I think that New Life Furniture Masque, easily found in an online search, is about the best thing available for cleaning wood finishes. Used with a soft cloth for general deep cleaning, then buffed dry, or with 0000 steel wool if a slightly crazed finish needs to be smoothed (then buffed dry with a soft cloth), it's a great restorative. About twenty bucks, with shipping, and a jar is good for several cabinets.

Do not try to clean the gold with anything that is at all abrasive or requires rubbing. If you do, you can watch the gold disappear as you try to clean it. Only use ammonia. Most gold on Victor machines is overcoated with lacquer which the ammonia will probably remove but that's what you have to live with if the parts are too dirty to leave as they are. Actually, I leave it alone unless it's really dirty. A little bit of dirt is called patina; a lot is called filth. Use your judgement.

Jim