Thread: Rubber Scales?

So, are these scales typical of the discoloration seen with rubber scales? This is a Wostenholm & Son razor and doing some searching here on SRP it seems rubber was common scale material for them. There is a SLIGHT rubber smell when polishing them, but not overpowering. Might be the smell of the MAAS polish I was using.

They are hard rubber. Also called vulcanite and ebonite. They will deteriorate over time and will turn a dull brown/black color. My experience has been you can clean them up but once the deterioration starts it will come back. I have several nice old razors with this problem and have been considering copying the scales in black acrylic. I have tried some tire care products that are suppose to restore rubber but they have been no help.They don't all do it. I have some that look like they were made yesterday. Unlike celluloid they do not seem to cause corrosion.

Black hard rubber (also "ebonite" or "vulcanite") can be restored with polishing (if oxidizing is just superficial, and surface is plain, with no chasing or imprints), or with Pensbury Manor dye (PMBHRPPNo9), as long as there is not museum value (this is supposed to alter the chemistry of rubber).

Rgds.

You could also try rubbing them down with glycerine to see if that helps.

Bob

Originally Posted by MT4

Black hard rubber (also "ebonite" or "vulcanite") can be restored with polishing (if oxidizing is just superficial, and surface is plain, with no chasing or imprints), or with Pensbury Manor dye (PMBHRPPNo9), as long as there is not museum value (this is supposed to alter the chemistry of rubber).

Rgds.

I just ordered some. Thanks for the information. I'll post my results. It reads like a good product.