Cleaning a mid 1900s craftsman motor

[Vice]

As a side part of my restoration of my father's craftsman drill press from the mid-50s, I am restoring the motor along with it. I managed to get it taken apart and will be ordering new barrings for it soon. Thanks to FrankLee`s thread on dismantling them I have gotten it this far apart. But does anyone have any tips on how to clean the windings? Here are a few pictures.

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This is the side of the motor that was facing down for most of its life, so it is nowhere near as bad off as the other side.

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This side is much worse then the other side its got more than 60 years worth of dust and who knows what else on it. I would assume 60 because I doubt it has ever been given a good cleaning.

Anybody got some pointers on what I can do to clean this thing down without destroying it? If so it would be much appreciated. I wouldn't have gotten nearly this far in my restoration without the help from this forum, so You guys are a Godsend for sure. Thanks and Yall have a blessed day!

 

[Stuart in MN]

You can get electric motor cleaner in an aerosol can, it's designed for cleaning the windings. CRC and Berrymans are a couple companies that sell it, you can find it online at places like Amazon, and can probably get it locally from an electric motor repair shop.

For the exterior of the motor, note that the finish can be easily removed from that shiny band if you're not careful so don't go at it with anything too harsh or abrasive.

 

[Vice]

You can get electric motor cleaner in an aerosol can, it's designed for cleaning the windings. CRC and Berrymans are a couple companies that sell it, you can find it online at places like Amazon, and can probably get it locally from an electric motor repair shop.

For the exterior of the motor, note that the finish can be easily removed from that shiny band if you're not careful so don't go at it with anything too harsh or abrasive.

What would be considered to harsh and abrasive? Would a scotch bright pad be to rough on it? With some purple power to clean it? What about a wire brush or a soak in Evapo-rust ?

 

[bmwrd0]

A scotch bright would be pretty harsh. Start with something pretty light duty, like a soapy cloth.

 

[CKS1955]

.. note that the finish can be easily removed from that shiny band if you're not careful so don't go at it with anything too harsh or abrasive.

Proceed slowly with the decorative band, like mentioned above water/dish soap and even then proceed carefully. I have seen others recreate the detail on the decorative band.

Jay