Thread: Old Plastic Scales - how to refinish?

I picked up a Joseph Elliot the other day that has really nice scales. Just regular old black scales which I think are plastic, but they are straight and the pins are tight. They have discolored a little and I was hoping to just be able to sand them a little with some fine sand paper and then maybe introduce them to my buffing wheel.

Once I get them shiny again, is there anything I should apply to them to keep them shiny or protect them a little? Some sort of wax or paste maybe?

Renaissance Wax or something similar?

Regards,
Neil

I'd avoid the buffing wheel in fear of heat build up, my method would be some high grit wet/dry followed by Brasso and hand polish.

How do I tell if the scales are plastic or bakelite? They kinda smell funny, is that a tip off one way or the other?

Originally Posted by dnjrboy

How do I tell if the scales are plastic or bakelite? They kinda smell funny, is that a tip off one way or the other?

It can be, if they dont "smell like plastic" then there is a good chance they're bakelite. Bakelite will often smell like formaldehyde

Interesting, think they might be bakelite then. Any different method of finishing those?

I'd be avoiding anything with solvents (cant remember the chemical makeup of bakelite).

Maybe test on a part of the scales that wont be seen?

A weird smell can also mean rotting celluloid.. If that's the case, they should be replaced. Rotting celluloid contributes to rusting.