Thread: Scrubbing Bubbles Cause Cell Rot?

I was reading some post about cell rot and some people said that it would smell something like vinegar and I recently got a razor that I used scrubbing bubbles to clean the scales and they didn't smell before, but now you can smell it easily. This is actually the first time I used Scubbing Bubbles to clean scales so my question is do you think that the scrubbing bubbles could have caused the scales to rot or is it maybe just from the caustic action of the cleaner? The smell hasn't gone away yet and it has been a day. One more question how long does it take for cell rot to rust a blade. I was thinking of setting the razor in the box and letting it sit for awhile to see if it was cell rot. Of course now that I am thinking of cell rot I can see some very very faint what looks to be pitting that I couldn't see before "atleast I thought I couldn't". I think I have Hypochondria of the razor world now.

I don't think it will be the scrubbing bubbles that caused this as a lot of people on here tend to use it to give their razors a clean from time to time, and I've never heard or seen someone report this to start cell rot. It maybe just a residual smell of the cleaners used that you can smell or it might be the fact cleaning the scales has removed the dirt so if they are decaying the smell is now more apparent.

If you are that concerned about the blade keep a close eye on it for the next few days/week as scale rot will tend to show corrosion on the blade quite quickly, if your worried post pics of the blade and scales as I'm sure someone on here with more experience of scale rot will be able to diagnose it for you.

Try to keep the razor away from any others until you determine the cause of the smell so there is no chance of it affecting other blades in the meantime, and the last thing is that if it does turn out to be cell rot is to depin the blade and dispose of the scales but this is the last resort which will also mean having to fit the blade with new scales.

Hope this helps you and fingers crossed its not cell rot.

Ok guess I should post a pic. It is the same pic I posted awhile ago. You can't see the faint pitting from the pic and infact I can only see it up close in bright light and at the right angle hence the atleast I thought I couldn't. I guess I will keep it in a closed box for awhile and see what happens before I do anything else to it. As for the scales I can't tell if they have cell rot or not and not really sure how to tell if scales do or not since some I have had that did didn't smell or anything, but you could tell from the distinct rust patterns on the blade that would follow the pattern on the scales. The dark spot near the edge isn't rust just tarnish that wiped off with some metal polish.

The Scrubbing Bubbles did not cause it but the cleaning might have uncovered the problem

The worst thing about Cell Rot is that there are very few universal indicators

Sweet Vinegar smell
Warping
Shortening
Discoloration
Black oxidation on the blade inside the scales and none outside
Oxidation in the pattern of the scale pattern
Actually scale degradation visible

These are most of the indicators, but keep in mind that all, or only one might be present, there were many different formulas for making the Celluloid so there are many different types and reactions...

The fresh steel should oxidize within 1 week and give you some indication, I usually just put a suspect razor inside a ziplock bag and leave it ...

Personally, I think if you look at them too long they will start to gas.

If you just rub them hard with your hands you will take the finish off and cause a little deterioration. Until it becomes advanced the scales themselves show no signs of deterioration.

I use the pump spray Scrubbing Bubbles. I empty the contents into a rubbermaid container long enough to put a razor in. I put the lid back on the container when I'm done and reuse the mix.

If I get a razor with grunge within the scales I drop it in the container for 5 minutes or so. So far, knocking on wood, I've had no problems. Say that to say, I don't think it was the SB that is at fault, unless ,as Glen said, it uncovered the problem that was already brewing.

Ok I will put them aside for awhile and see what happens. I didn't want to have to replace the scales cause I actually like the pattern. I usually don't like that tortoise look to much if it looks too uniform. Thanks alot for the info. I have another set of scales that I was suspecting cell rot that I will have to set aside also to see what happens. Atleast now I know it wasn't the bubbles cause that stuff worked like a charm and I will be using it again then.

Scrubbing Bubbles is for cleaning Tile,It has a Ph of over 12,is extreamly alkaline because it contains Lye,AKA sodium hydroxide,You want to soak your razors in that stuff,Knock yourself out,is bad caustic stuff.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Scrubbing Bubbles is for cleaning Tile,It has a Ph of over 12,is extreamly alkaline because it contains Lye,AKA sodium hydroxide,You want to soak your razors in that stuff,Knock yourself out,is bad caustic stuff.

That is why I limit the time to five minutes. Only serious grunge. TBH, I had an old German pre WWII era slant DE that I soaked in SB and it took the plating off. I let it sit too long though.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

That is why I limit the time to five minutes. Only serious grunge. TBH, I had an old German pre WWII era slant DE that I soaked in SB and it took the plating off. I let it sit too long though.

If it was an old Hoffritz,they had aluminum under the plateing,creates one hella reaction,matter of fact,you get enough outgassing with alum and sodium hydroxide,touch it off with a match,you can get one hella explosion.