I'm the proud new owner of the above mentioned machine. I know Mark Prince has mentioned he uses windex & a soft cloth. My question is twofold... A) Can simple vinegar & water be used in place of windex, without damaging the clear coating? B) (more of a long term question) Can the clear coat be re-applied if it starts to wear out?

Thank you in advance,
Mathew

I find Windex leaves water stains. I prefer a mix of distilled water and rubbing alcohol; since I use the distilled water to fill the boiler, this makes good sense for me. Microfiber cloth works well.

I haven't done it yet, but a friend who's into motorcycles says the coat can be repaired or renewed when necessary.

Steam and/or water on a soft cloth works well for minor daily care. A magic eraser does wonders, too, for the harder to clean issues and doesn't seem to have any adverse effects. Dan (HB) suggested it on an older thread for another chrome machine so I can't take credit for the idea.

Hugh

Lightly dampened micro fibre is all it takes, and a cool machine.

I'm assuming it's the brass and copper model in which case I agree with cf. Anything else and you risk damaging the clear coat. Even the chrome one just needs warm water and a micro fibre cloth.

And congratulations on the new toy. I am about to sell mine to make way for a 1960's E61. I will miss him dearly .

Thanks for all the input, microfiber & water it is. It is indeed the brass/copper model... And I feel like a kid on Christmas. Once I have it all set up on the sideboard I'm getting tomorrow (and go choose a knock-box) I'll post some pics.

Cheers All.

I think the brass and copper finish are electroplated just like chrome, but they do oxide and get dark, so they use this varnish to protect it. The chrome is more robust as it doesn't need the protection.

I have a small spot at my MCAL boiler (brass finish) as the plastic container I used to use have scratched the finish. It's very delicate indeed, so +1 to water and cloth. The chrome will take longer to be removed with cleaners (polishers for instance) but it will too... The chrome at the welded parts seems to yellow first and I've noted the same on a 73' La Pavoni.

Just to add some info on the base - it's steel, and it suffers a lot with coffee spills that stays between the Elektra sticker, plastic base and buttons. This Semiauto that I've got had the base with several rust around these parts - and it's hard to see and clean. Even if one wants to do the chrome (or copper) finish again, the rusted parts are hard to polish to get a nice finish.

So, I chrome it again and it's better. I removed the sticker rivets and replace them with a M3 screw (rounded allen head) and lock nut. I'll do the same to the MCAL as I've seen some coffee between the sticker and base and it's impossible to clean it!

Márcio.