Thread: Removing brass inlay from scales

Originally Posted by PapaBull

I thought I'd share a "how-not-to" trick with you guys.

Synthetics melt at a much lower temperature than brass, so I remember when I was doing an early restore on a Puma razor and decided that a torch would get the job done. Holding the scales carefully by the tips, I got the flame nice and hot on the torch and gently flickered it over the brass to heat it up enough to unseat it. At least that was the plan. Much to my alarm, the scales immediately burst into a smoking, sparking fireball right in my hands. Not a method I would recommend.

Yep I did that one too, nice fire starter if needed in an emergency, but not a good restore trick

I believe it was Buddel who says he uses a heat gun to soften the scales. I can't say I've tried it, but sounds like it would work. I find acetone works great and tends to clean up the eblems at the same time. Also, with a very light touch and sparing use you can actually clean and smooth plastic scales with acetone, but I didn't tell you that. The trick is to disolve only the very top layer and smooth it. If you leave celluloid scales soaking in acetone overnight they turn into goo and swell. Next time you restorers have a broken bit of scales lying around, give it a try.