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Discussions => Instrument Design, Construction and Repair => Topic started by: suesqueezer on April 21, 2008, 05:08:39 AM

Title: Celluloid Polishing/Clean-up
Post by: suesqueezer on April 21, 2008, 05:08:39 AM: Hello folks, Can anyone recommend a product to clean up the celluloid parts on some of my old boxes? The mother of toilet seat areas seem to have some dulling/pitting/small marks (you can see the pristine shape of the material in some more hidden spots) and it would sure look good if I could get that condition back on the exposed areas. Also, could this stuff work for polishing out more defined scratches with a certain techique? Any suggestions helpful!
Title: Re: Celluloid Polishing/Clean-up
Post by: RGF on April 21, 2008, 03:30:40 PM: Being a bit of a car guy, I usually have on hand a small bottle of Griot's Fine Hand Polish, email ordered from Griot's Garage at:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/

This is a much finer cut and much less abrasive than regular automotive rubbing compound, and is designed for removing fine swirl marks, etc., from automotive paint. I find that it works quite well on my accordions, applied with a nice, soft old bit of terry towel. I assume that other manufactureres, such as Mother's, Meguiar's, etc., will have similar products, but I would always test a drop on a hidden area before diving in.

As for the final shine-up, I use Dr. Duck's Ax Wax, from House of Musical Traditions:

http://www.hmtrad.com/catalog/winds/sbx/drduck.html

This combination keeps even my black accordion looking quite nice!

Bob
Title: Re: Celluloid Polishing/Clean-up
Post by: Theo on April 21, 2008, 05:49:00 PM: I find Unipol Plastic Polish (http://thepolishingshop.co.uk/acatalog/Unipol.html) does a good job.

Be very careful if you use a solvent to remove gunge. Some dissolve celluloid with alarming speed. Naptha/lighter fuel is usually ok and good for removing the sticky residue of labels or velcro pads.
Title: Re: Celluloid Polishing/Clean-up
Post by: mikesamwild on April 23, 2008, 09:00:17 PM: Am I alone in using my partner's old nail varnish for touch ups ?
Title: Re: Celluloid Polishing/Clean-up
Post by: Theo on April 23, 2008, 10:38:23 PM: Quote from: mikesamwild on April 23, 2008, 09:00:17 PM
Am I alone in using my partner's old nail varnish for touch ups ?

Probably not, but you need to take care because the solvents in nail varnish, mainly acetone, also dissolve celluloid.
Title: Re: Celluloid Polishing/Clean-up
Post by: Bill the Farmer on April 24, 2008, 01:08:18 PM: I used WD40 to clean off old labels and velcro pads. I'm thinking of using some Humbrol black enamel to fake up some chipped corners. Is this a good or a bad idea?
Title: Re: Celluloid Polishing/Clean-up
Post by: Ebor_fiddler on April 24, 2008, 09:18:59 PM: If it's the sort used for painting plastic model kits it ought to be OK on celluloid I should think.