Thread: Polishing Plastic

I just picked up a razor that has what is described as "catlin" plastic. It's a translucent, nearly transparent gold color. I want to restore this razor to its original beauty, which, by the way is its name, "Gold Beauty", but I'm not sure how to polish up this plastic. It's almost like a translucent bakelite. Any tips?

Originally Posted by yul b. nekst

I just picked up a razor that has what is described as "catlin" plastic. It's a translucent, nearly transparent gold color. I want to restore this razor to its original beauty, which, by the way is its name, "Gold Beauty", but I'm not sure how to polish up this plastic. It's almost like a translucent bakelite. Any tips?

I just did a Double Duck Satin Edge with the translucent scales. After taking the pivot pin out, I washed the scales in warm soapy water to see what was actually damage in the scales finish and just crud. I have a buffing lathe set up with one wheel that is a finishing buff. I used chromium oxide and the wheel turning at a moderate speed. This took care of the scratches and all. I have a compound watch repair guys use to buff watch crystals. The smoothed out the surface. I then used a polymer wax to bring up the luster. I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures before I sent it back to the owner. The scales are very clear and act as magnifier when the blade is folded closed. I was constantly watching for heat build up. I used slow to moderate speeds buffing as I didn't want to melt anything.

I have used this stuff for about two years for doing other stuff. Works GREAT! Plus its cheap. Most auto parts places have it for a few bucks. Just use everything up to 200 grit, then rubbing compound, then the plexi polish. Clear as glass!

I use McGuiar's (or however you spell it lol) Plastic and Plexiglass polish. $5-10 buys a lifetime supply for scales and headlights.

Thanks guys. Soap and water did clean up most of the crud, but I should really clean up the ends near the pins. They seem to get scratched up due to the opening and closing mechanics I reckon. Also, thanks for the tip on plastic and plexi scratch remover. I will buy some for sure now. Someone I know tried cleaning pine tar off their widshield with a hardware scrub pad last year and scratched the windshield in several places before they knew what they were doing. Boy, was my wife mad at me! No wonder she leaves when I start to shave! Gilligan-that's me!

I've made a couple of errors with plastic in the last few months...

If it's catalin or celluloid rather than bakelite be careful that you don't use a polish that leeches out the colour. If you unpin the scales try a spot on the inside first.

The meguiars or 3M lines of clear coat polishes for cars with a clean muslin wheel might work well. If the plastic is tougher the Plastic polishes do a decent job and if the plast is really tough things like blue magic metal polish, simichrome or even brasso do a really nice job. The last two seem best saved for bakelite as I have bleached a few plastics with the metal polish.

You may want to start with soap and water then toothpaste or thin baking soda paste to see how things react.

Go from gentle to aggressive until you find the right formula.

-Bob