Sewing machine rescue

Miflehsaleh
by Miflehsaleh
Hello everyone. I have a 1954 singer sewing machine. The paint on the body is chipping off in some areas. How can I fix this and protect the finish. I was told to rub the body with a light coating of sewing machine oil. I don't know if it will help. If anyone has some ideas please help.
  7 answers
  • Rose Broadway Rose Broadway on Dec 05, 2017

    Here are several videos just in case you also want to know how to do any maintenance on your machine. Looks just like the one my Mother had!

    https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=preserve+old+singer+sewing+maching+

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Dec 05, 2017

    Today you can get black (or any other color) enamel fingernail polish. Clean the outside of the machine with a degreaser or Windex. Then use dots of the fingernail polish for any pockmarks and chips, smoothing it out to meet the rest of the surface. When it is completely dry (3hours), wax or polish the machine, if you wish, but if you actually use the machine for Sewing, you may get something on your fabric.

  • Miflehsaleh Miflehsaleh on Dec 05, 2017

    Thank you Jewell for your help. Windex is not a good idea according to research that I have done. If it gets beneath the finish through the chipped parts, it will destroy it.

  • 27524803 27524803 on Dec 05, 2017

    I would spray the machine with several coats of clear sealer... mask all the areas where you do not want the sealer to go... you ESPECIALLY need to do this if you actually use the machine for sewing.. a matte or satin sealer will be best... do extra coats on the areas where the paint is chipping. Do more lighter coats than one or two heavy ones. It will dry faster and there will be less chance for drips... and don't forget the bottom areas, under the arm, etc.

  • Swan Road Designs Swan Road Designs on Dec 07, 2017

    It appears you may have a Singer Featherweight or similar machine and, yes, your time period is pretty much on target. The chipping of the enamel paint is due to its many years of use. These machines were handy and real workhorses.


    I don't think I'd touch up the chipped areas. Rather, I'd wash it down well with a mild soap and water, dry thoroughly and apply a coat or two of a good-quality paste wax.


    If you have questions or need parts, this link may help you: https://singer-featherweight.com/.

  • Peter Peter on Dec 09, 2017

    The original manufacture was a Baked-On enamel-- can't repair that to match. I'd be careful to keep the underlying casting from developing corrosion. Clean to be free of corrosion and use a paste wax... (floor wax) to seal against moisture.