The goal of keeping your typewriters maintained is to keep them in good, working condition for many years to come. Typewriters that are in near mint condition that are over 50 years old are in that good of condition because they were probably kept a good environment, and were maintained properly over the years.
These tips can be viewed in video form here.
These tips can be viewed in video form here.
|
|
Tip 1: Keep your typewriter covered up when you are not using it. If the typewriter has a carrying case, it may be best to keep them inside the case when they aren't being used. Doing this will keep dust from getting inside the mechanism and all over the exterior. It's not fun to clean a typewriter every other month because it's been left out for dust to settle all over it. The only exception would be if the machine is only a decoration piece, and will not be used.
Tip 2: To care for the platen and feed rollers: Pull the paper release lever forward on the machine if it will not be used for a long time. If this isn't done, flat spots may appear in the feed rollers and potentially the platen where the two rubber pieces contact each other. This generally takes a very long time to happen (many years), so it's only worth worrying about if the typewriter isn't going to be used but should be preserved.
When typing, be sure to type with two (2) sheets of paper. The one behind the page being printed on will help protect the platen and allow it to last longer with heavy use. If you type with one sheet of paper, or even none for some reason, the typebars will make slight imprints on the platen, shortening its useful life before it should be re-surfaced.
Tip 3: As you feel necessary, you should dust the exterior and accessible parts with a brush or a lint-free cloth. This will keep the typewriter looking clean and shiny.
Tip 4: If you are experienced in oiling typewriters, and if you know what you are doing, you can also oil certain parts of the typewriter as you feel necessary. Typewriters only need little amounts of oil, and it depends on how much you use the typewriter to determine a good oiling schedule. If it is used nearly every day, I would give it a thorough wipe down and consider touching up some spots with light oil every other month or so.
Tip 5: Clean the typebars with a brush or a pinpoint (if you want to be precise). After significant use, you may notice that the "a, o, e, p, b, d, q" keys may start to get parts of the ribbon stuck in the insides of the typebars, which looks sloppy on paper. While it is tedious, I prefer to use a pin to clear the ribbon out the clogged typebars. Like oiling and wiping your machine down, this depends on how much the machine is used, so it's up to you to figure out when it's necessary to clean the typebars. Some ribbon material types also clog the typebars more frequently than others. The newer nylon ribbons (which we sell) tend not to do this nearly as much as the older style cotton-cloth ribbons.
Tip 6: For long term storage, keep your typewriter in a moderate temperature and humidity environment. I would suggest room temperature (around 40 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit) If the typewriter is kept in an environment that is too cold or too hot, it could negatively impact the rubber parts of the typewriter, such as the platen, feed rollers, rubber feet, etc. Keeping the typewriter out of an hot summer attic or damp cold basement can help prevent the rubber from melting or hardening over time.
Tip 2: To care for the platen and feed rollers: Pull the paper release lever forward on the machine if it will not be used for a long time. If this isn't done, flat spots may appear in the feed rollers and potentially the platen where the two rubber pieces contact each other. This generally takes a very long time to happen (many years), so it's only worth worrying about if the typewriter isn't going to be used but should be preserved.
When typing, be sure to type with two (2) sheets of paper. The one behind the page being printed on will help protect the platen and allow it to last longer with heavy use. If you type with one sheet of paper, or even none for some reason, the typebars will make slight imprints on the platen, shortening its useful life before it should be re-surfaced.
Tip 3: As you feel necessary, you should dust the exterior and accessible parts with a brush or a lint-free cloth. This will keep the typewriter looking clean and shiny.
Tip 4: If you are experienced in oiling typewriters, and if you know what you are doing, you can also oil certain parts of the typewriter as you feel necessary. Typewriters only need little amounts of oil, and it depends on how much you use the typewriter to determine a good oiling schedule. If it is used nearly every day, I would give it a thorough wipe down and consider touching up some spots with light oil every other month or so.
Tip 5: Clean the typebars with a brush or a pinpoint (if you want to be precise). After significant use, you may notice that the "a, o, e, p, b, d, q" keys may start to get parts of the ribbon stuck in the insides of the typebars, which looks sloppy on paper. While it is tedious, I prefer to use a pin to clear the ribbon out the clogged typebars. Like oiling and wiping your machine down, this depends on how much the machine is used, so it's up to you to figure out when it's necessary to clean the typebars. Some ribbon material types also clog the typebars more frequently than others. The newer nylon ribbons (which we sell) tend not to do this nearly as much as the older style cotton-cloth ribbons.
Tip 6: For long term storage, keep your typewriter in a moderate temperature and humidity environment. I would suggest room temperature (around 40 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit) If the typewriter is kept in an environment that is too cold or too hot, it could negatively impact the rubber parts of the typewriter, such as the platen, feed rollers, rubber feet, etc. Keeping the typewriter out of an hot summer attic or damp cold basement can help prevent the rubber from melting or hardening over time.
|
|