Thread: More warped scales

I can say for sure the boiling water trick works for horn (at least temporarily). I Soaked the scales in the boiling water for 1 minute, pulled them out, put a tapered chopstick inbetween, flexed them, and then into cold running water while flexed!

You definately need to be holding the scales in the desired position when putting them under the cold water. You can't just mold them then harden. And It took me about 4 tries to get it right so... try and try again!

The straightening is fine and dandy with this method, it's just the potential for discolouration. I have started polishing the black plastic now to try and get rid of the milky colouration created. It isn't shifting much as yet.

Originally Posted by Makar

The straightening is fine and dandy with this method, it's just the potential for discolouration. I have started polishing the black plastic now to try and get rid of the milky colouration created. It isn't shifting much as yet.

Yikes! That milky discoloration will be difficult to polish out… the plastic is not celluloid, it’s more recent (and slightly more brittle) once used to make to make combs.
I have a scale that looks black but if you shine a bright light (a very bright light) through it will look toffee brown with black swirling.
When I put it in boiling water the surface turned milky white and it took my fingerprints when touched.
Does it have any inserts? Or other decoration?

It has a silver (prob steel?) logo insert. Pity cos I reckon they are now going to have to go. Perhaps a marker for the hard of understanding (i.e me, in this instance) should go up re trying this method with plastics as opposed to anything else. Unless I try something more aggressive first like get out the 400 grit and work up. That is all I can think to do now - but I am sure there are other thoughts...

cheers
Stephen

Originally Posted by smythe

Yikes! That milky discoloration will be difficult to polish out… the plastic is not celluloid, it’s more recent (and slightly more brittle) once used to make to make combs.
I have a scale that looks black but if you shine a bright light (a very bright light) through it will look toffee brown with black swirling.
When I put it in boiling water the surface turned milky white and it took my fingerprints when touched.
Does it have any inserts? Or other decoration?

Originally Posted by Makar

It has a silver (prob steel?) logo insert. Pity cos I reckon they are now going to have to go. Perhaps a marker for the hard of understanding (i.e me, in this instance) should go up re trying this method with plastics as opposed to anything else. Unless I try something more aggressive first like get out the 400 grit and work up. That is all I can think to do now - but I am sure there are other thoughts...

cheers
Stephen

No... don't use sandpaper... there is an better way. This method will remove the milk but you must be sure it’s not celluloid.

This worked for me.
Go to the pharmacy and get some nail polish remover, cost about $5 (get the colorless one in the glass bottle, is says “non toxic”, don't get the one in the plastic bottle)
Pour about 1½ tee spoon in a small container (like a large bottle cap)
Dip a folded square of paper towel in it to soak up the remover wait a few seconds for the remover to spread through the paper towel is and damp (not wet), before its dry
rub the scale with the towel.
First it may feel sticky (like its melting the plastic) but keep rubbing, as the towel dries it will smooth out and get slick like it polishing.
Use a little pressure but not too much if it’s sticky, just use a light stroke let the remover go its work.
Do one half of one scale first then do the other.
If you don’t get all of the “milk” you can pour some more remover and reapply, in any case don’t worry it will be easier to polish them out buy rubbing harder with the now dry towel.


Notes:
-This stuff is acetone and flammable so do this somewhere ventilated… NO smoking warnings ect… you get the picture.
-It will not harm the metal inserts or the blade.
-DO not use the remover on celluloid plastic.

Thanks Smythe

I had a bottle of acetone in the house. It did the job. It did feel like it was melting it and the towel went black on the first pass but I kept going and it smoothed out just fine. Both sides polished up a treat - so now the scales are straight, blade fits fine in the middle and the plastic scales are black and glossy. Thanks again - a good tip to remember.
Stephen

Originally Posted by Makar

Thanks Smythe

I had a bottle of acetone in the house. It did the job. It did feel like it was melting it and the towel went black on the first pass but I kept going and it smoothed out just fine. Both sides polished up a treat - so now the scales are straight, blade fits fine in the middle and the plastic scales are black and glossy. Thanks again - a good tip to remember.
Stephen

Yup there is a lot of “stuff” in the wife’s beauty stash I “borrow” from time to time.

Scary… you’d swear you’ve ruined the scales when it starts to melt and get sticky.

It actually dissolves the plastic on the surface but quickly vaporizes and leaves it smooth while rubbing with the cloth… as a matter of fact you could “dip” it in the solution but that would leave a runny surface that resembles too much spray paint… yuck!.

I never tried this stuff on celluloid, not sure what effect if any, just don’t trust celluloid.
It may also work on other plastics but it’s hard to test in an inconspicuous spot on a scale especially if you have a valuable piece.

Glad it worked out… I think those razors will give a great shave… or display handsomely.