By the way Joe, you also can use those extremely sharp metal dental-tool style picks (available at Harbor Freight for example) to clean the insides of the letters. Maestro Duane Jensen over at Phoenix Typewriter has said that the type slugs are made of extremely hard metal and you cannot scratch or damage them with a metal pick. They're a bit more convenient because they don't break like toothpicks.

Thank you Joe, I just purchased my first used vintage typewriter, Smith Corona Galaxie Deluxe! I'm 62 and excited to bring a typewriter back into my life. I love your series and just watched how to clean the key slugs. I'm so glad I found you. Dollina

@carolynmcneil5348

Жыл бұрын

Hi Ron, I’m the same age as you and I used to be a pretty good typist in my day - when I was a teenager! Due to a penpal, I’ve reacquainted myself with a typewriter again, my first in about 40 yrs! I just bought a Brother portable and going through tutorials to make sure I change the new ribbon I bought properly. I might even collect them…….! Have fun

Your video quality is brilliant. The production values really help to immerse me in the instruction, rather than being distracted by the video. Best typewriter videos on KZread.

@Joe_VanCleave

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@flintmccolgan891

7 жыл бұрын

How long did it take you to fully clean these slugs?

@Joe_VanCleave

7 жыл бұрын

Maybe a half hour. It helps to use a loupe to see into the crevices of the type slugs. And once it's thoroughly cleaned it only requires periodic cleaning with alcohol and a mascara brush or swab.

Guys, I was literally all night trying to "fix" my typewriter. The ribbon wouldn't move and the letter was hitting the top of the ribbon. I considered taking the whole thing apart but no. The button with the colours red, blue and white. It was set to White. I clicked it back to Blue and the ribbon was working perfectly. Please don't spend hours, read this, click that button. 👍

thx a lot, this worked like a charm. I love these tedious tasks of cleaning little things. It's almost meditational.

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

Markus Step I’ve practically zoned out cleaning typewriters over the years. No it wasn’t the chemicals-I clean in vented areas.

Joe, if you don't mind the advice, the best way to clean the type is with a 1/2 " varnish brush with the bristles cut short so that they are stiff. Use white spirit with a dash of clear light oil, it's worked very well for a long while, the same solution can be used to scrub around the base of the type bar. If you can get your hands on an Underwood type bar grind the top of the segment wit hole out so that you have a hook, solder a handle to it and you have a SEGMENT PICK. THIS METHOD WAS USE UP UNTIL TYPE BAR MACHINES CEASED TO BE MADE

Very well explained ! THANK YOU! No one ever told me to clean my one hundred year old Underwood, let alone HOW TO clean. Excellent video.👏👏👏👏 Thank you for sharing.

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

Nancy Burall Underwood typewriters have been built similarly from about 1895 to about 1933. Not very precise, just a fun clink-a-te-clink little machine. I own a 1917 model myself. I thought my mother’s 1947 model was old but this one turned thirty when hers was built. Now she’s gone and I have her last typewriter: a 1959 Underwood Touch Master II.

Finally satisfied with the typeface of my old machine. I didn't knew the problem before I watched this video, thank you :)

Just subscribed to your channel.. Love your videos and learning an awful lot. Thank you for posting. Keep it up.

@Joe_VanCleave

Жыл бұрын

Welcome!

I have had fantastic luck gently using a dental pick to get in the nooks and crevices of the type slugs. Just be gentle. Love your videos!

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

Dan Miller in a pinch you can use straight pins. I can control them better, but you gotta have a light touch to use them.

Thanks for this very helpful video. You're an excellent teacher, and very thoughtful too.

I think your videos are very helpful. Thank you very much. I really like watching the typewriter episodes.

Great Video! Very detailed and answered all my questions. Good teaching style too.

FENOMENAL ! Just what I needed right now!!

I've used alcohol before, but I've recently switched to mineral spirits because because they won't damage the paint or decals like alcohol will. Also- a GREAT way of MAINTAINING clean slugs is to invest in some kneeded erasers. Just push the eraser into the slugs after every few hours of use. It'll pull the excess ink out leaving your typeslugs clean and pristine.

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

Colin Moore are they still making those?!

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

Colin Moore Mostly I use charcoal starter fluid-it’s even milder than mineral spirits but mineral spirits is good too.

To quickly clean [without using any sprays] the type is to simply hold a couple of inches of duct tape with the sticky side facing the type. Then type each key several times [while the ribbon is set to white]. In just about a minute, you have the cleanest type possible.

@Joe_VanCleave

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the tip, I''ll try that!

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

This kinda reminds me of something they had years and years ago: Typewriter Buds. It’s a thick big piece of red or purple gum you formed and mashed on top of the slugs. Then you just peeled it off and it got at least most of the gunk. Then you rolled it around a bit and put it back into its own container. Hadn’t thought of one of those in years!!

Very helpful video. Thanks for putting in the effort!

Thanks for this video! I just bought a typewriter from the antique store and it works really well. I would need to clean it sometime soon.

AWESOME demo!

Thank you so much for this video, it was incredibly helpful!

Thanks for your useful information, I did this and worked great, but a few were really grimy so used MEK with good ventilation and protection of course.

Great tip using a mascara brush!

Another good video as usual but I saw a great tip on another video, play doh or silly putty, just roll it up and dab the strike keys (slugs) takes about 30 seconds to do the whole lot and same result but no mess, plus you can do it everytime you use it👍

thank you for the video with so many details, it is really useful.

Video quality is remarkable. Thanks for thoroughly explaining in great detail about everything. This video was very helpful

Here's the process that has worked well for me... Supplies: 409, a nylon cleaning "tooth" brush (common for gun cleaning), Q-tips, and a dental pick. (Toothpicks are too big.) Spray 409 onto the tooth brush (NOT the slugs) and give the faces a good scrub. Wipe down with a paper towel. Get out the dental pick and clean out each of the loops and corners. Give them another go over with the Q-tips (again, wetting the Q-tip, not the slugs) and clean off the sides as well, lifting each slug and holding it with your fingers. As you do each slug, dry it with a paper towel before letting it go back to rest. Carefully inspect the results then perform a type test. Takes 10-15 minutes.

Very helpful. Thanks!

Thank you Joe, I'll try!

Thanks you so much..Now I have an idea how to do this ...

Awesome tutorial, thanks! Any video on cleaning the 'segment' part where type bars can hang up as you mention around 3:01? My dad has a Smith Corona in beautiful condition, visually, but some of the bars stick when you press some of them.

Great Video. Thanks for sharing.--Colin

I've found just a cloth or paper towels and nail polish remover cleans them right up. 60 second job.

Hello Joe ....thanks for the video .. would you please make a Video about the royal number 10. How to clean the dirt inside and how to disassemble it ? Thanks for all the useful information you give on your channel

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

Sharif Galal You have the cast iron ribbon holders, frontispiece, back covers, glass sides, and some machines have a bottom cover. The ribbon holders are held on by a bolt on the back and one under the ribbons n spool gate each. The frontispiece is held on by about four or six bolts in front, and the margin release will need to be unbolted. The glass sides are bolted from the inside of the machine, so the bottom cover, if any, needs to come off first. The back panels are bolted with three bolts each, though typically you just need to remove the two outer bolts. Installation is done in reverse order of removal.

Incredible video! Question, I've seen and read other information recommending mineral spirits to clean the type bars and type slugs- which is better in your opinion Joe? Alcohol or mineral spirits? I'm also interested in seeing if you have other videos or playlists specific to the cleaning and maintenance of typewriters! I'll browse your channel, otherwise feel free to point me in the right direction and recommend any of your videos or playlists on this topic!

A very unique 'beauty haul' KZread video

Great, great stuff! Kind regards,

Thanks, well done . . .

Guess I need to do this. Getting gunk on the page around the letters. Just acquired my first typewriter a little while ago.

Great video. What would you advise to use to polish up the black on the Corona 3 typewriter ? I dont want to tarnish the gold lettering. Thankyou

@CpeopleCU

2 жыл бұрын

Carnauba wax - auto wax

Type write much education, and good product, for ever.

Do you have a video on how to clean a Series 5 Smith Corona typewriter and not to ruined the crinkles on the surface of the paint. I've been practicing on a scavenge typewriter and most of the chemicals that I use like scrubbing bathtub liquid, simple Green, Mr. clean with ammonia, or even Dawn seems to remove the paint and also some of the crinkles. Would you happen to have any advice or a video on this?

@Joe_VanCleave

2 жыл бұрын

Try WD40 (yes!) on a soft cotton rag. Be gentle. It'll shine up the crinkle paint.

This video is fantastic! Very informative and helpful. Do you oil or don't oil the segment?

@Joe_VanCleave

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I use a bit of naphtha (lighter fluid) if needed on the segment, but generally apply as little as possible. Degreasing the parts of the segment near where the typebars pivot against the segment is crucial to good functioning.

@TheAltern8te

7 жыл бұрын

I will have to give Naphtha a try. What is your degreasing process?

@Joe_VanCleave

7 жыл бұрын

90+% isopropyl alcohol, still brush and/or swabs; and PB Blaster if it's really hardened, old grease, followed by electrical degreaser spray to remove the PB Blaster.

@vuitheirt4704

5 жыл бұрын

For cleaning segments I use goof off I wouldn't use any oils for the segment, you should use some kind of solvent

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

All the pros say not to-unless you get one so bad, or if they’re all frozen up (and I’ve practically raised a few machines from the dead-most notably Underwood typewriters), a bit of penetrating oil and elbow grease is about all you can do for them. I’ve been experimenting with tranny fluid, in this verboten area. So far they haven’t even gotten so much as stiff. I just keep wiping away the excess. I have been chided and a few pros have roasted me alive for it, but you can’t deny results.

@JoeVanCleave Do you think it is damaging to clean the letters with diluted citrus juice?

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

JANATOLDME might as well use vinegar or orange juice. They used to make a citrus Fast Orange or Goo Gone. Not sure how well that would work, but it was a powerful stain getter outer.

hi, is denatured alcohol better to use? heard it recommended for typewriter cleaning, but i don't know what the difference would be between that and isopropyl alcohol. thanks

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

steve eastwoofer I think denatured alcohol is stronger and tends to dry out the metal. However, it might thin the ink in the slugs a little better. Me, charcoal starter fluid works the best. It’s not as volatile as many people think, and it’s almost odorless, but I recommend venting.

Looks like some of the ink on the types are blue. Is that normal if you have a black ribbon? I ask because i bought a ribbon recently and the ink was a bit blue (printed black though). I wanted to make sure I didn't get ripped off and buy something inked with pen ink.

@Joe_VanCleave

Жыл бұрын

I don't remember having a blue ribbon in that Underwood, but often black ink, when diluted with alcohol, appears blue. I've seen the same when cleaning black ink from fountain pens.

Do you know where I can get a service manual for a 1928, four bank, Underwood Standard Portable Typewriter? Also, would a service manual from sometime prior to or after 1928 work for it? If so, do you know where I can get it? I found a free online copy of its owner's manual, but I also need the service manual. Subscribed today.

@Joe_VanCleave

4 жыл бұрын

Ted Munk has a series of reprints of typewriter repair manuals, here: www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?contributorId=1669340&pn=1 This generic repair bible in that series covers Underwoods, but I'm not certain about the 1928 model: www.lulu.com/shop/ted-munk/the-manual-typewriter-repair-bible/paperback/product-24247323.html Here's Ted's KZread channel, perhaps drop him a comment and ask him, he'd know for certain. kzread.info/dron/GbUtlA8o1KiVddiu0-V05g.html

How about using slug cleaner? That green clay like stuff that you just push on the slugs.

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

Martin R. Krause Ah yes-Typewriter Buds. I remember those.

Hey, I have new typewriter but I used black ink more, now the red ink is sort of invisible, should I clean it to make it type red?

@Joe_VanCleave

7 жыл бұрын

Cleaning the type slugs wouldn't hurt - they should be periodically cleaned of old ink. If the red is still too faint, perhaps the ribbon has dried up.

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

Joe Van Cleave let me add to this: I’ve seen ribbons that were once black and red become practically solid black because the user switched over often but never cleaned the slugs after using the black part of the ribbon. Going from red to black isn’t too bad, but black to red without first cleaning the slugs is gonna foul the red part of the ribbon.

Is okay if your cleaning solvents drip under the keys? I’d imagine they’d get inside the typewriter sometimes especially if you’re using a squeeze bottle or something similar

@Joe_VanCleave

6 жыл бұрын

It’s best to take the bottom off of the machine first.

@SiJayEunsoo

6 жыл бұрын

Joe Van Cleave ah I see

@vuitheirt4704

5 жыл бұрын

When cleaning the keys you should put some kind of rag or paper towel under the keys as well as underneath the machine, Especially when cleaning the segment you wanna flush all the gunk out in it, the best way to do it is to use a solvent and air the get it all out

Hi I just got a 1917 Underwood typewriter but the return belt is broken do you know where I can get another one and if not do you know what I can use as a substitute

@Joe_VanCleave

5 жыл бұрын

Some people use strong shoe laces as a substitute.

Is the alcohol vinegar good to clean type slugs?

@Joe_VanCleave

2 жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t use vinegar because it’s acidic. Alcohol and a toothbrush plus a pick for fine cleaning is the best. Cover the painted and plastic surfaces to avoid alcohol splatters.

Hello, how i can open a typewriter carriage?. I have an Olympia 99 fs. And i can not slide the carriage to right. Thank you

@Joe_VanCleave

7 жыл бұрын

I'm not familiar with that model. If the carriage can't move at all, the carriage lock might be engaged. On some models it's a silver lever on the upper left of the keyboard. If it moves to the right but not the left, the left margin setting might be set too far in toward the center of the carriage.

@amirfalakbaz9974

7 жыл бұрын

Joe Van Cleave thank you so much. It was so usefull

Worked out great for me, thanks

@Joe_VanCleave

4 жыл бұрын

Perfect!

I use a wire brush on mine I know it's not the greatest for the slugs but it gets the job done

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

General-Gaming Doe9de If you’re gonna use a wire brush, and I don’t recommend it, use one made of brass. It’s softer metal. The way to go is a nylon brush-an old toothbrush or a mascara brush.

@doe9de995

4 жыл бұрын

@@johntapp1411 thanks for the tip

I use an electric toothbrush with lighter fluid

Can you teach me to resolder a slug ?

I love my underwood universal

@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536

8 ай бұрын

I ❤ only God and myself.🙏.

4:54 i use lancets

T: I’ve seen too much

Hi Jon Van Cleave, I’m working on a new Cleaning TV Series for Ricochet TV Production Company (the makers behind The Repair Shop on BBC One) & we’d potentially like to feature this video. Could you make your email address available on your channel for business enquires?

@Joe_VanCleave

2 жыл бұрын

jvcabacus@yahoo.com

i just looked at my slugs and they are eeewww

@JLajos

4 жыл бұрын

slimy? :-)

@johntapp1411

4 жыл бұрын

You’re gonna run into that-especially if your typewriter is using one of those old cotton ribbons. They are good inkers until they really do a number gunking up the slugs then they’re the absolute worst. Best thing along with cleaning out the slugs is to get a nylon ribbon-almost all new ribbons are. Silk ribbons are also good if you can get them.

@LANCSKID

2 жыл бұрын

Ever tried children’s moulding putty? Works like a charm!

Sgreat info! But the shaking blurry camera footage was too much for me. Had to stop watching.