Ken Holmes, long time collector and dealer in antique tin toys shares his tips for cleaning tin toys. Holmes says that toys require almost no care, perhaps just a little oil on the springs.
He also says toys will last forever if they "do what they were meant to do". Toys break when the knobs are twisted the wrong way or when a wind-up toy is manually pushed, something a little child might do.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Fifteen Minutes
Here's How:
- Dusting them is the best way to keep them clean. Holmes does not recommend using any waxes on the toy.
- If toys are soiled, using plain soap and water is the best way to clean them.
- After they are carefully washed, pat them dry or put them in warm spot to dry. A kitchen is a good place.
- Make sure the toy is dry before putting it away and it won't rust.
- If the toy is greasy, use a little bit of WD-40 to clean the toy.
Tips:
- Waxing is not recommended.
- Rust will NOT clean off.
- Keep toys out of direct sunlight.
What You Need:
- Soft paint brush to dust
- Aerosol can of air
- Mild dishwashing soap
- Soft t-shirt type fabric for drying
- WD-40
