1966 Black Handle Superspeed-I goofed-4 pics inside

[cpacamper]

The genesis: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...y-Dirty-Black-Handle-Super-speed-L4-Date-Code

tl;dr I think I made it worse. L-4 date code (1966, first year of blackhandle) I believe the handle is aluminum and the black color is anodized. I immersed this razor in just warm water (no soap, vinegar, etc) for 72 hours straight in mistaken impression that the white, flaky, stuff oozing from the metal was old soap scum, not something happening to the razor that would cause the following to happen. Pics:

The white spots appeared after the razor dried.


The discoloration and white spots on shiny part of top of handle also appeared after razor dried.


See the residue around the ring right in the middle? The residue was there from the get go, but it's now worse and I can't clean that residue off with toothbrush or toothpick.


I am not touchng this razor with any cleaning agent until after I consult with you fine folks.

So, why did this happen? Can I make the handle black again short of spray painting it? How can I make the pits and discoorations on top of handle disappear?

Bummed. Thanks for your responses.

 

[chrisf8657]

Do you have very hard water? Almost looks like mineral deposits...

 

[mblakele]

The black stuff is usually said to be some kind of plastic resin. Are the white spots on top of the resin, or are they flea bites that reveal oxide on the underlying aluminum? If the black stuff is damaged, http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...-how-to-repair-handle-surface-on-Black-Beauty suggests a fix.

The stuff where the handle meets the plate looks like it might be the result of galvanic corrosion inside the handle. I have never taken a black handle apart, but I understand that Gillette used two different metals in the TTO assembly. Maybe there was originally a coating on the non-aluminum part, but it has worn off? If so it will only get worse.

Maybe it was a mistake to leave out the dishsoap when you soaked the razor? Dishsoap is unlikely to hurt anything, and might have reduced the galvanic potential a bit. Of course if the corrosion has been going on for years, there is nothing you can do to reverse it.

 

[cpacamper]

Do you have very hard water? Almost looks like mineral deposits...

No, well water with a water softener using sodium chloride.

 

[ateace]

I would give it a scrub with a toothbrush and regular toothpaste (not gel).
If these are indeed surface issues, a mild abrasive like the toothpaste may remove them
without harming the black coating/paint.