Enamelled and Bare Metal Parts.
Aluminium parts, such as the engine and gearbox, can be cleaned with paraffin and a stiff brush, and afterwards with petrol. These parts are best cleaned before the enamel is tackled.
Accumulated road dirt and mud must never be rubbed or brushed off dry from enamelled parts as the abrasive nature of the dirt will scratch and dull the surface of the enamel.
Always wash off dirt by means of liberal supplies of water, if possible from a hose pipe, but do not employ a high pressure jet. The water should be set to run at a slow rate so that it does not penetrate where it can do harm, such as into the brakes or items of the electrical equipment and carburetter.
Use a soft cloth or sponge to mop off the dirt when it is properly loosened by the water.
If water is used from a bucket a little household detergent washing powder (such as “ Tide ") may be mixed with the water and will help to remove oil or grease.
Dry off with a leather and polish with one of the many polishes s now on the market. Chemico “49 " (Makers : The County Chemical Co,, Ltd., 561, Stratford Road, Shirley, Birmingham) will give a high finish which remains waterproof for quite a good time. Proprietary polishes, however, are not a substitute for cleaning and will not give a proper finish unless the surface is properly cleaned first.
Chromium-plated Parts.
All plating is porous, and although Nickel and Chromium are rustless, the surfaces of plated ferrous parts will deteriorate if neglected and left exposed to the weather. Eventually the metal rusts underneath the plating.
Whilst still clean, the plated parts on a new machine should have a rust preventative rubbed in. To avoid leaving them unpleasantly greasy, the excess can be wiped off after application. A proportion of it will have penetrated the pores in the plating.
For this we recommend ‘ Rust Veto Amber X ' and it can be obtained in small tins from the Service Department or Velocette Dealers.
To clean the plating wash off dirt and grit with ordinary soap and water. Never rub off dirt that has dried on. Dry off thoroughly after cleaning and polish with a good non-abrasive Chrome Cleaner. We find that ‘ F.L.P.' supplied by G. H. White, Lowestoft Road, Gorleston, Norfolk, is most satisfactory, and will remove ‘pits’ and discolouration from neglected plating.
After cleaning rub in ‘Rust Veto’ and allow it to set before wiping off the excess.