How to clean old/used type

Dear Briar Press,

Apologies if this has been asked before. I tried searching the Briar Press discussions without luck.

So I managed to get my hands on a couple of trays/drawers of old type. However, the trays/drawers has been collecting dust for a long time and the type is kind of black (on its sides) and dirty also. The capital “O” has an accumulation of dirt in its center.

- What is the best way to clean type?

- Can I soak the type in evergreen, evaporust or some other chemical? (I don’t really want to rub the type for fear of damaging them).

Thanks.

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You ask, “What is the best way to clean type.”
I don’t know what the best way is, but I have cleaned thousands of pieces of type. This is what I do.

I put a bunch of pieces of type in a bucket with TSP and water and let it soak a couple of days. TSP is trisodium phosphate. It is available at the hardware store. Get the real stuff and not the substitute. I use a generous amount of TSP. It isn’t real nasty, but with any chemical, you don’t want it in your eyes or on tender/sensitive skin. Gloves and eye protection are appropriate. After a couple of days I swish it around gently and take it out to a smaller container and rinse it thoroughly with water. Next clean the face with a brush. An old tooth brush may work. A fine brass bristle brush also works. Too heavy a hand with the brass brush will abrade the type. Old ink on the sides of the type is more of a concern for appearance.

You might wish to tinker with 409 or whatever you have under the sink, or with paint thinner.
Whatever you find that works is the right method.

You ask, “What is the best way to clean type.”
I don’t know what the best way is, but I have cleaned thousands of pieces of type. This is what I do.

I put a bunch of pieces of type in a bucket with TSP and water and let it soak a couple of days. TSP is trisodium phosphate. It is available at the hardware store. Get the real stuff and not the substitute. I use a generous amount of TSP. It isn’t real nasty, but with any chemical, you don’t want it in your eyes or on tender/sensitive skin. Gloves and eye protection are appropriate. After a couple of days I swish it around gently and take it out to a smaller container and rinse it thoroughly with water. Next clean the face with a brush. An old tooth brush may work. A fine brass bristle brush also works. Too heavy a hand with the brass brush will abrade the type. Old ink on the sides of the type is more of a concern for appearance.

You might wish to tinker with 409 or whatever you have under the sink, or with paint thinner.
Whatever you find that works is the right method.

I would be hesitant to leave type soaking in water for several days. A quick way to clean a small amount of type is to put it into a plastic jar with a tight top (I use a peanut butter jar) and pour in enought laquer thinner to thoroughly cover the type. Let stand for 1/2 hour to 45 minutes, then gently swish the liquid around the type. What doesen’t come loose this way can be gently scrubbed off with a very soft toothbrush or an all bristle plate brush (available at NA Graphics). Do not ever use a brass bristle brush on lead or wood type - it will destroy it. Using a weak lye mixture with water will do the same thing, except the lye bath should be followed by a vinegar bath, complete drying, and a good drenching with kerosene. Use a metal container for lye, it can soften and melt plastic and the heat of the reaction will break a glass container. Be sure to use proper eye protection and gloves for either process. Doing type cleaning is best out of doors where one has to worry less about proper ventillation. Old ink on the sides of type will keep the type from fitting properly, and can be a cause of work-ups and improper fitting.

Paul

Inky: Thanks for your recommendation. A couple of days is a long time for soaking :) I was thinking that even the EverGreen de-greaser only takes an hour or less to loosen-up grease. But I’m going to try a small amount of TSP separately for my education.

Paul: As usual thank you for your generous and patient response to all my questions. I’ll try finding “lacquer thinner” at the local hardware store or Home Depot, and then use a toothbrush.

Thanks again.

If the type is wood, do not soak it in anything. Wipe it with a toothbrush and cloth. Wood grain is destroyed by immersion in liquid.

I had to clean some type for a professor at my college and the best way is to clean it with type wash and a very soft brush. Use something softer if the type is soft like a lead based. I’ve had to clean type that had dried ink caked inside the type and had type wash work very well.

Hope this helps!