Polishing an old machine

delta76

My friend is thinking about buying an E61 machine. It appears to have 304 outer, but it of course looks quite old and somewhat dirty from the usages. Thinking if I can use the Bar Keeper friend metal cleaner to polish it. Used it on my cookware and got great result. Should I or should I not?

DavecUK

delta76 It usually doesn’t give the best result because it tends to make rub marks (hazy finish). I think BKF is abrasive and the steel used is usually a mirror finish.

delta76

DavecUK what is my best option then? just leave it be?

MediumRoastSteam

delta76 - glass cleaner works wonders on SS. Or if you are in a country where you can get it, cleaning alcohol also works well to get rid of all that grime/grease/coffee marks.

As for me, what I would do first is a good micro fibre cloth lightly moisten with water or preferably distilled/RO/filtered water. Wipe it dry immediately. This is my favourite method of cleaning and keeps the machine and the splash back panel very clean.

delta76

MediumRoastSteam I do have IPA 99.9% if that’s what you meant cleaning alcohol?

Will try with glass cleaner on my Elizabeth. thanks

MediumRoastSteam

delta76

https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/d/279-lelit-mara-vs-elizabeth-cleaning-and-maintaining/19

https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/d/1821-how-often-do-you-deep-clean-your-machine/27

There are many discussions around cleaning, with photos, and sometimes not so great experiences when using “specialised” products.

MediumRoastSteam

delta76 I do have IPA 99.9% if that’s what you meant cleaning alcohol?

I’m not talking about Isopropyl if that’s what you mean by IPA. Just box standard cleaning alcohol. In the UK I never seen it, but in Brazil 97% ethanol is a common cleaning product. Think you can get that in Italy too if I’m not mistaken. In the UK you can get alcohol gel, 70% or 75%, but it’s more for disinfecting hands rather than cleaning surfaces. Nonetheless, it works well too.

delta76

MediumRoastSteam strange, I think IPA 99.9% is very common, at least in computer world because it works on certain stains and it evaporates very quickly.

Does not hurt to try I guess. Maybe on my cookware first

MediumRoastSteam

delta76 - I never used IPA 99.9% alcohol on my machine (nor plan to). But if it works for you, then it works. I’m not sure how it works on chromed surfaces, so make sure you are 100% satisfied it won’t do any harm before going ahead.

Gagaryn

Unless you are drinking it there is no meaningful difference between IPA and ethanol - both are highly effective solvents so work well as cleaners. Both are perfectly safe to use on polished SS and chrome.