Thread: Shining Up Celluloid Scales

Hi Gang!

I recently helped a woman by bringing her Great Grandfather’s Henry Sears and Son’s razor back from the dead. That’s in another thread-here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...n-cleanup.html

The scales I’m 99% sure are made of celluloid and quite fancy on the front scale while the back is plain jane. They were mostly brown with some black showing in spots.

After I got the crud cleaned both in between the scales and outside and then used my typical application of 3M’s Hard Plastic Lens Polish, they still didn’t shine like they should and the black/brown look was still there.

I dug through all of my crap stored in my one car garage and found a product that I hadn’t used in years it’s called Bumper Black (it’s for automotive exterior plastic/vinyl trim etc.). I applied a coat and let it soak, then wiped it off and Whoa! Now we’re talking! The scales were no longer black in a couple of spots and dark brown in other others they were evenly glossy black!
I re-applied twice more.

I was going to post this earlier but I couldn’t find where to find Bumper Black online! No one in town had it and had never heard of it.

Well as it’s been said “Never Say Never”! I spent some time searching the net and finally found this. While it’s not Bumper Black I think according to the reviewer it’s even better and he’d used the Bumper Black!!

Black Again Plastic Cleaner Protector - webBikeWorld

Here’s a link to where I believe those in the USA can buy it online if they can’t find it locally! If I didn’t have a nearly full bottle of Bumper Black, I’d order a container today!

Black Again plastic and trim restorer and protectant

I’ve since used the Bumper Black on some blonde plastic scales and while they didn’t look bad at all to start with, they shine even better.

The Bumper Black states that it’s for ALL outside vinyl regardless of color, I’m ‘presuming that the new product is for all colors also!

I hope this post is of some help!

Actually I think those scales are bakelite not celluloid, but I could be mistaken. I think the brown that develops on them is oxidation and I usually had to sand it off. If that product removes the oxidation without sanding it could save some time. Thanks.

Yea, they do sound like those are bakelite scales with that brown in there. They have a funny oder when you polish them too IIRC. That bumper black is a neat trick though. I have some for the trim on the car from Canada Tire so I'll try it out on some salvaged scales.

Bob

Originally Posted by JSmith1983

Actually I think those scales are bakelite not celluloid, but I could be mistaken. I think the brown that develops on them is oxidation and I usually had to sand it off. If that product removes the oxidation without sanding it could save some time. Thanks.

The dates of manufacture of the razor and when Bakelite was invented don't match up!

I believe that Bakelite was created in 1907 and the references for Henry Sears and Son are here:

Straight Razor Manufacturers and Dates of Operation

HENRY SEARS & SON
Chicago, Illinois
ca. 1883 – 1897

BUT as I said I'm only 99% sure about the celluloid/Not 100%!?!?!

I wonder if , even though they looked original, the razor was rescaled long ago ? Saying that if it was that would account for the dates not matching up if the scales are Bakelite. I would love to hear that the product would work on oxidation on tobacco pipe stems.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I wonder if , even though they looked original, the razor was rescaled long ago ? Saying that if it was that would account for the dates not matching up if the scales are Bakelite. I would love to hear that the product would work on oxidation on tobacco pipe stems.

Jimmy, I don't know if the razor was ever rescaled! All I know is that with my limited knowledge of the maybe 150-200 razors that I've seen first hand that I've 'Presumed' were in their original scales, the pinning looks 'Factory' to me!!

Originally Posted by cudarunner

Jimmy, I don't know if the razor was ever rescaled! All I know is that with my limited knowledge of the maybe 150-200 razors that I've seen first hand that I've 'Presumed' were in their original scales, the pinning looks 'Factory' to me!!

Taking another look at the other thread, I do think the must be celluloid, and original. I don't think a scale could be as intricately decorated (molded) like that if it was Bakelite. As for factory looking rescales, I know what you mean but I'll tell you a story. Back in the mid '80s I used to go to barber shops looking for old straight razors.

I'd bring a few oldies with me so the old barbers didn't think this heavily tattooed galoot wanted a razor to cut someone's throat. I'd show them the razors and they would break theirs out and sometimes I'd be able to pick one up for twenty bucks or so.

I got to be friendly with some of those old guys and they would talk about the old days. At their stations they had cabinets built in on the wall behind their chairs. On top of the cabinets, running the length of the wall, was a marble top that ran from cabinet to cabinet.

So one of the old guys, he must have been 60 if he was a day, told me that in the winter, when it was cold, if you laid your razor down on the marble too hard you could easily crack the scale. In those days, way back, barber suppliers used to have a panel van that went around loaded with supplies. Strops, hones, razors, hair tonic ....... all the stuff barbers used.

The guy who brought the stuff around carried replacement scales and would pin them on the spot. I don't know for certain but I bet his work could have been taken for a factory pinned scale. Assuming that he had a plenty of practice.

You can easily tell the difference between the 2 materials.

Bakelite does leave a brownish residue when sanded or rubbed & has a burnt kinda smell.

Celluloid will smell like camphor when sanded.

Hey Jimmy!

I loved the history from when you and I were young, God how I love hearing history from those who have been able to talk to the old barbers!!!!!!

As I said I 'think' that the scales and pining are from the factory.

Nice tip - thanks!

Those scales are a form of celluloid, probably celluloid nitrate (the kind that doesn't give off a vinegar smell) - I have had some just like it.

It will give off a camphor/Vick/medical smell but it isn't always that evident - sometimes you can't smell it unless the razor has been confined in a tight fitting box for some time.

Regards,
Neil