Still working on those hinges...

Hi all.
Yes. It's true. I'm still working on the cabinet hinges. Thirty hinges to soak, boil and scrub clean is no easy feat, plus with the heat and humidity we've been experiencing, the last thing I wanted to do was put on a pot of boiling water. Like I need it any more hot or muggy around here (pant, pant, wiping brow) Still, I'm happy with my progress. Chanting to self--- slow & steady wins the race, slow & steady wins the race, slow & steady (pfew!). I've noticed that some of the hinges clean up faster and easier then others. Some I've had to soak/simmer for as long as 2 1/2 hours, others are in and out within an hour. I've been doing a few at a time, making sure they get enough time in the "jacuzzi" and then once they are all clean and shined up, I put them back in their respective baggie. Before we embarked upon this adventure, Hubby made a diagram of our kitchen, numbering each cabinet. As each hinge was removed, I placed it into a baggie marked with it's co-ordinating cabinet number. That way when we're ready to re-hang cabinets, attach my vintage hinges and hardware, we know EXACTLY where it came from and where it's been these past 54 years.

I've added a few "tools" to assist in my cleaning process. Along with the old towels, I've decided to lay down newspaper to catch the paint peels and chips, a very fine grit steel wool (luckily it isn't leaving any scratch marks) & a small metal key with a tiny point to dig out the paint from those little nooks and crannies. Also wanted to mention, that after I've cleaned them up, I give them a quick rinse in some cool water. I've noticed that the baking soda leaves a bit of a residue. Anyway, rinse them off, dry them with a soft cloth and then I polish them up. I'm using a fair amount of "elbow grease", but as you can see, it is proving to be worth it.
At this point, I've 10 hinges that are paint free and back to their original glory. I love them! Here's a link to my original post about the hinges. "Un-hinge Me"