Recently purchased an Oliver No. 5 which is in pretty decent shape, except for the paint under the keys. It’s almost like alligator skin... but it’s not actually cracked. I’m guessing it happened from water or direct sun/ heat. Any ideas on how to restore it? Doesn’t have to be perfect by any means, but would like to clean it up. Typically I use Maguiar’s Ultimate Compound which it’s great for smooth paint, but just not sure how it’ll work in this situation. Any suggestions/ feedback is appreciated. Picture below.

https://imgur.com/a/Is8oYjg

My Royal No. 10 did the exact same thing. In your last picture the horizontal drive (that connects with a gear to both spools).... has it come out of place/ isn’t aligned right anymore? That’s what my machine did. I took it out and popped it back in and never had a problem since. Mine had a set screw too which allowed for some small adjustment in how close the gears were (which if itncame loose could cause slipping.)

Check out the manuals listed here: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html

Not sure if it’s the same model (or similar enough) but here is the Remington Portable manual: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RemingtonPortableService1931.pdf

Recently picked up a Remington Model 5 Portable in OK condition. It mostly worked with a new ribbon but keys stuck, pretty dirty, and some dried up rubber. I started by brushing out loose debris with a paint brush followed by compressed air and lacquer thinner. Next, I used a brash brush on any of the really corroded metal parts. I followed this by using Meguirar’s Ultimate Compound on the paint to polish it and Mother’s Mag Metal polish on the keys and some of the chrome parts like the carriage return lever. The original draw brand worked but it was so brittle I decided to replace it with some braided fishing line which seems to have worked great. The front rollers on the carriage were so dried they were completely flat and didn’t feed the paper, so I replaced them with automotive heater hose/ vacuum hose which cost 1.50$ for a foot (I only used a few inches). Finally I really don’t have a use for the case, so I replaced the feet on the typewriter with some thick rubber grommets from McMaster Carr which ran me about $10.

http://imgur.com/a/tiwehPE

McMaster Carr