Thread: Sanding vintage scales?

I tried searching the forum but couldn't really find what I was looking for , so I'll just post a new one.
I have an older Dudley's Barber with some dicoloration on the scales. I think they are supposed to be black but it looks they are turning a brownish green in spots. I am supposing from UV exposure. Is there any way of sanding them down to get them close to the otiginal black or am I just to live with it.
Also there are some scratches, can these be sanded out and polished? If so, what is the best way?
Thanks a ton for any advice.
Jamie

I think I can hear crickets chirping.................

I don't normally mess with my old scales, I wash them with soap and warm water and if they are really grimey I scrub them with some baking soda. After that I hit them with some turtle wax polish and call it good. I don't mind my old razors looking old though. If the scales are really bad, or I want the razor to look new I will make a new set or dig through the parts box to see what I have from a blade that was too far gone. If you have the razor completely apart you could try sanding on the inside with a higher grit 1000+ and see how it goes.

It is simple,
grab sandpaper 220-2k and sand them. After the sandpaper you can polish with Maas/Flitz/Mothers, or plastic polisher.

I usually just buff them with white jewelers rouge, just like finishing my razors. I've had good results. If the scales are really rough, I'll sand them with 220 grit then 360 grit then buff.

I have had the same scales a while ago. Someone told me it is Vulcanite scales and it is normal they turn brownish kaki color with age.

Just sand them down and they will go back to their original black color. It is normal if it smells very bad while you sand them.

Thanks for the advice Jullmg. What grit did you start and finish with?
Jamie

I made 240-320-400-600-800-1000 then white jewelers rouge on buffer. But you can start higher if scales do not have deep scratches. Black color will come back after a few minutes of sanding.