Thread: Scale warp

I know I've seen a post on straightening warped plastic scales, but I can't find it after some searching. Any advice on unbending scales? Does a heat gun help??

In experimenting with some scales, even a hair dryer will produce enough heat to allow slight re-shaping of plastic and celluliod scales. I used one to gently heat several sets and ease them back into the shape I wanted, then rinsed with cold tap water to set where I wanted them. Another tip that helped me was to use something to maintain the proper space in the middle of the scales; a q-tip stick (cotton pulled off of one end) worked pretty good.

Just be careful if you opt for a heat gun. It may produce too much heat and will be really detremental on light-colored scales (may yellow them).

I am not any sort of expert so use at your own risk; just my personal experience!

v/r

Allen

You may also want to search on Traveler.

He posted or re-posted something recently on this topic using an oven and popsicle sticks.

Hope this helps....I have a fairly new razor I need to fix the scales on too. I will likely try a hairdryer first and then the oven as a follow-up if needed.

I have had success with dipping them in boiling water and then holding them to shape in a cold water dip. (No, I didn't put my fingers in the boiling water, douh!)

Originally Posted by JGS

You may also want to search on Traveler.

He posted or re-posted something recently on this topic using an oven and popsicle sticks.

Hope this helps....I have a fairly new razor I need to fix the scales on too. I will likely try a hairdryer first and then the oven as a follow-up if needed.

Thanks. It's THIS thread. Sometimes the search terms are a little hard to pin down.

Originally Posted by Kenrup

I have had success with dipping them in boiling water and then holding them to shape in a cold water dip. (No, I didn't put my fingers in the boiling water, douh!)

Really for any plastic that is the best method for even heating. I have used that technique with my old class when we made bracelets out of tooth brushes. Then when I got my Carmen in the mail and its scales were bent, I did the boiling water thing and fixed it right up!

So this is plastic and celluloid... what about horn scales? I also don't want to de-pin the razor. (just to make it more difficult)

Just dipped a razor with warped black plastic scales in fresh boiled water for about 10 secs - manually held them under cold water for about 10seconds after that. Just the shape they need to be - only thing is the black has gone milky coloured in patches and won't polish out. Not the result I had hoped for - what did I do wrong? Suppose I need to do a little bit more aggressive polishing now to erradicate?

I tried some really hot (not boiling) water on a razor tonight, and while it worked really well it did discolour the scales. I can scratch away a little of the discolouration, but not all. The scales were uniformely black before the unwarping, and now they are mottled brown.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Unless someone here can tell me it's fine I'm tempted to get rid of the scales in case I've started some celluloid rot-like reaction.

You may have gotten them too hot.

May sound odd, but take some metal polish to them and work in in with your hands (vice a cloth). I use eagle one polish for billet (motorcycle shops generally carry it) but most fine metal cream/polish will work.

As you rub the polish in, it usually will start to feel tacky as it starts to dry. Add a little more and work it with your bare hands a bit longet until it starts to feel tacky again. Rub it fairly quickly (builing a little heat with your hands) and then wipe clean with a cotton cloth (old t-shirt).

It may take a few times to clean them up, but it has worked well for me anyway. I finish up with a little warm water and dish soap. Be sure to run a cloth between the scales to get the residual out.

Good luck!

v/r

Allen