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  1. Last 7 days
    1. Mineral spirits are perfectly safe for key buttons. It's critical to make sure the solvent you're using really IS true mineral spirits, though.Other solvents, such as those billed as "laquer thinner" are NOT safe for plastics. That includes acetone, xylene, and any solvents containing them. I have heard that Selectric III keys are resistat to laquer thinner, but I still wouldn't use it even on a III. Laquer thinner may be applied VERY carefully after the full mineral-spirits bath using a syringe or small squeeze bottle for specific metal pivot points such as interposer pawls that tend to get extra-stuck from dried-out lubricants.

      via Rick Becker at https://www.facebook.com/groups/259796744144251?multi_permalinks=24082657108098214

  2. Dec 2025
    1. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1794856020751839/?multi_permalinks=4308967442674005

      A reasonable sounding version of why not to use some of the commonly suggested methods for rejuvenating platens.

      If you wish to attempt to lower the Shore A hardness of your typewriter platen temporarily, I would recommend applying a more compatible mixture of xylene (non-polar solvent), Methyl Alcohol and Methyl salicylate (wintergreen oil) in a 3 to 1 to 1 ratio such as is found in the product called Rubber Renue from M.G. Chemicals. All the necessary chemicals are available on Amazon, and you can make it by the litre for pennies compared to the commercial product.