Cleaning up a C&P Pilot OS…
Hey All,
I have recently acquired a C&P Pilot press…
It need a bit of help as it was in a barn for who knows how long.
Currently, I’m just trying to get it cleaned up. So far, I’ve just vacuumed it off and used a mild soap and hot water mix and scrubbed the super dirty corners with a soft toothbrush (and dried it all down after).
I read the discussion on cleaning up a kelsey http://www.briarpress.org/5802 and was wondering if anyone had suggestions on how to get rid of rust that is on more parts of the press than just the platen? And what type of oil to use after cleaning everything up?
(I would like to use the least amount of chemicals possible)
Thanks!
Megan
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If you wish to use the least amount of chemicals, you can do it with none. You just have to substitute labor.
How much clean-up do you want to do? Do you want a pretty museum display piece, or do you want to get it cleaned up to print well and visitors will not see it?
If you wish to use no chemicals, you will need wire brushes, steel wool, emery paper and some kitchen pot scrubbers. Maybe some kitchen scouring powder also. Safety goggles for your eyes are absolutely essential if you use a power wire brush. I do with my electric drill and the work goes much faster. Rubber gloves perhaps if you wish to preserve your manicure.
The ink disc, the rails, chase bed and platen need to have all the rust and debris removed. The disc needs to be bright. When the bed and platen are clean, they will benefit from a coating of wax. Car wax best. Floor wax will do.
If you are going to paint the press, you need to get all of the grunk off and most of the rust.
Where any two pieces of metal move against one another, you do not want a bunch of the rust dust and debris you made. When you have finished all of the de-rusting, you must either take the moving pieces apart to clean them out, or flush out the bearing surfaces. I would take the machine outside and put it on a bunch of newspaper and flush with kerosene in a squirt bottle. Kerosene is cheap at the hardware store. Lots of flushing and cycle the press as you flush. After flushing, lots of lubricating oil until it too runs out. Oil is also cheap. Again, cycle the press.
When finished and taken back inside, place on cardboard or newspapers as more oil will drip out.
Then get some ink on your shirt and enjoy
inky