Id get yourself some wax/cleaner for cars. And scrub the heck out of that thing. My Oliver had tons of oxidation and grime on it, turning it grey. Now its bright green.

TypewriterGuy wrote:

Id get yourself some wax/cleaner for cars. And scrub the heck out of that thing. My Oliver had tons of oxidation and grime on it, turning it grey. Now its bright green.

Thanks so much for the pointers! I'll head to the store today and see what I can find. Any brand/product in particular that you'd recommend?

beak wrote:

If you are most concerned now about the painted cast iron, I should look at the task as that of cleaning old paint, regardless of the iron base.  I don't have one of these machines, but from your pictures, I'm wondering if the lettering is not more paint, but stencilled rather than a transfer - I cannot tell.  Perhaps research along those lines?
Saving the other comment, I would not be inclined to introduce any wax at this stage, since it will have the effect of sealing in any dirt, rather than removing it.  Wax will, however, be useful once the dirt is gone, specially a hard wax such as carnauba wax - or rather a mixture of waxes with a high percentage of carnauba, since it is too brittle to be used on its own and is rarely seen commercially (in tins you can buy) except when tempered by other, softer waxes.  As with most such finishes, apply sparingly, rub out fully, and leave to set a day or so, followed by further applications if required, is the way to success.

Most cleaner wax mixes will dissolve itself once applied again. So sealing dirt should not be an issue.

Any brand should be fine. Turtle wax,Meguirers (Or however you spell it), etc.