Thread: Removing the metal names and bolsters from plastic scales

Does any one have any Idea of how to do this for the purpose of putting them on other scales.

Acetone (nailpolish remover) will dissolve the glue and let them come of, but be aware that it also will attack the plastic in the scales so they will be useless once you have removed the lettering/bolsters.

I recently used acetone to remove an inlay from some scales that had celluloid rot. I let a piece of the scale with the inlay soak in acetone for several hours. When I went back and checked the acetone had dissolved the scale. I used a little more acetone to clean up the inlay.

I have never removed bolsters, it may be the same process but I'm not sure so I'll leave that for a more experienced member to chime in on.

It's ame with bolsters, but you don't have to leave it long, a few minutes is enough to loosen it and yopu can lift it off carefully with tweezers.

assume you can glue them on with superglue?

Yep! Superglue is what I used and it turned out nice. Here are some before and after pics.

The yellow acrylic are the replacment scales. The pics didn't come out in the correct order.

BTW, I'm not trying to highjack the thread, just sharing info.

Originally Posted by DoughBoy68

Yep! Superglue is what I used and it turned out nice. Here are some before and after pics.

The yellow acrylic are the replacment scales. The pics didn't come out in the correct order.

BTW, I'm not trying to highjack the thread, just sharing info.

LOL...Hijack all you want just don't blow it up or run it into something.
glad you enclosed the pics.

Couple of hints here:

Pure Acetone works quite fast and will dissolve the scales completly so really a minute or so is all it takes to lift Bolsters and Inlays for transfers..

Polish the inlays BEFORE you take them off it is way easier..

There are two different ways to re-attach them that I use depending on the application.

1. Super Glue (CA) using the "Drop and Hope" method which means exactly what it says , you coat the back of the transfer with CA, and drop it in place and hope you get it right, I suggest Medium CA for this as you get a few seconds to move it into position..

2. Epoxy using the "Frame Technique" where you make a "Frame" out of Clear Packing tape and fill that with epoxy then place the transfer inside, covering the whole thing with another piece of tape while it dries.. This is much more accurate and stronger but also is way more complicated then I just wrote...
There was a good tutorial on this method on one of the now defunct razor forums I will try and find it for you or maybe make a new one when I get time... ( I hate making them when somebody else has already taken the time)

G/L
g

Edit: The above info only applies to the Brass/Silver inlays on Celluliod scales it does not apply to the Silver/Lead/Pewter inlays in horn scales or MOP inlays or painted inlays...

I read a thread on coticule.be about transfering inlays I think using the 'Frame Technique' and as stated by gssixgun was quit complicated so I opted for the 'Drop and Hope' method. The inlay landed a tiny bit crooked but I managed to straighten it up before the glue set up. Guess I got lucky on my first attempt.........

Does either reattachment method work for taking the inlay onto wood scales? Any mods needed for transferring to wood?