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How to Restore a Rotary Phone

Rotary dial phones, first developed in the late 19th century, were considered the standard in telephone communication until they were eventually replaced by push-button dial models. Rotary phones have become antiques, and although repairing them takes the work of a professional, restoration of these models can be done with a little patience and simple tools and cleaning products.

Things You'll Need

Screwdriver
Compressed air
Cotton swabs
Alcohol
Metal polish
Wash tub
Dish soap

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the phone's exterior shell by unscrewing it from the interior working mechanism.
- 2
  Separate the pieces of the interior mechanism by unscrewing them from each other and placing them side by side, which will make it easier to reassemble the unit after cleaning.
- 3
  Utilize a can of compressed air to clean the mechanism of dust and debris that has collected. These parts can also be cleaned using cotton swabs and alcohol or another cleaning solution.
- 4
  Polish the metal parts with an appropriate metal cleaner. For example, use brass cleaner to polish the brass bells that make up the ringer.
- 5
  Clean the phone's exterior shell by immersing it in warm, soapy water. Dry the exterior shell before polishing it with an appropriate cleaner.
- 6
  Reassemble the interior working mechanism before reattaching the exterior shell.

Antiques