cleaning lead type
I just got some old cases full of lead type. Some is pretty clean, just dusty. Some is very dirty and some has a bit of oxidization from mouse urine. It is all mixed up and I need to clean it so I can identify and sort it, but this is my first time doing this.
I’m soaking the oxidized type and the really dirty type in white vinegar.
My question is what do I do once I remove the type from the vinegar? Do I give it a final rub with denatured alcohol? Do I leave it alone? Do I oil it? If I should oil it, what kind of oil should I use and how should I go about doing it?
Also, do I need to do anything to the type that looks relatively clean? It’s mixed in with the dirty or oxidized type, so I’m just not sure.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I really don’t want to trash any more than I have to!
Thanks
Let’s call it metal type. It is an alloy containing mostly lead with a bit of other metals to make it harder than lead.
I rescued a great anount of type that had been badly stored and a lot of it was oxidized. It would be nice to have a chemical that would remove just the white oxide and not attack the metal. I don’t know of one to do that. I put a small handfull in a plastic container and add liquid dish detergent and some water. The type is only one layer in the bottom. I gently agitate the mix and let it set for a day or so. Again I agitate it and pour off the liquid to be used again. Rinse the type thoroughly in water and set to dry on a cloth or paper. Blot. Much of the dirt should come off and a little of the white oxide. I have a type brush which is about the size of a fingernail brush and it is very tightly set with brass bristles. The brass will abrade the metal type, but you are looking for light abrasion to remove the remaing oxide. Each piece of type, one at a time. Absolute idiot work. That white stuff is lead oxide and not nice. Gloves or baggies over the hands and a dust mask would be prudent. After some use, take the brush outside and bang the bristles against a board or the sidewalk. That gets some of the lead oxide dust out of it. Each brushed piece goes into another plastic container with kerosene in it. A little kerosene will be absorbed into the metal and a light film will remain after the type is taken out and set to dry. Put on some good music and attack the task for about 20 minutes a day. You might try a toothbrush and toothpaste followed by a good rinse, dry and then a kerosene dip.
inky
The best way to clean type is to invest in a small ultrasonic cleaner.
I used one for many years, and used it to clean numbering boxes frequently, after a few minutes in the ultrasonic bath they would come out as clean as a factory fresh new one. There is nothing that can compare with the ease of use or effectiveness of these devices..