Cleaning and Servicing a Vintage Typewriter

Start dry

Use a soft brush, low-force air, and a vacuum held nearby rather than pressed against delicate parts. Protect decals and key legends.

Clean the type

Type slugs can be cleaned carefully with an appropriate brush and minimal solvent used in a ventilated area. Keep solvent away from painted surfaces, rubber, and plastic unless compatibility is known.

Lubricate only where specified

Many typewriter problems come from dirt and old lubricant, not lack of oil. Excess oil attracts dust and migrates where it does not belong.

Know when to stop

Escapement faults, broken drawbands, frozen shift mechanisms, electrical problems, hardened feed rollers, and alignment work are strong reasons to use an experienced technician.