How to clean a painted Tilley?

Hi all,

I’ve been at this lamp for a few hours now using heavy duty car wash. It was working really well until I got to the stubborn black residue around the pump hole.

Any tips for cleaning without damaging the paint?

I find slow and steady is always best with plenty of elbow grease but I might need a bit of extra help for this!

 

I always use methylated spirits, especially around the pump area.
I believe that black stuff is old kerosene that has dried up.
This always works for me, I can't remember which member told me to use methylated spirits, but it works.

 

Thanks, I was worried about using meths on the paint. Good to know it works.

 

That’s a handy tip for me too as I’ve always assumed that if I got the black stuff off I’d be down to the bare brass.

 

Kerosene, dust and dirty hand sweat. Meths should do the trick, or hot soapy water.

Alec.

 

Sometimes it is brass underneath, no matter what you do.
I only use a rag and lightly rub on the methylated spirits.

 

You'll need something that doesn't dissolve the paint. I'd assume that is the original paint that had cured ages ago.
Something like methylated spirits as mentioned. Or even mineral spirit?
Most other common solvents would be harsh to the paint.

 

As others have said, methylated spirit will get rid of that black gunk. Just let it do its work without over-rubbing...

 

Thanks all! Meths did the job to wipe away the black gunk with soap and water finishing it off.

Finished result posted here:
Tilley TL 106 with Parchment Shade