I recently purchased two butterscotch handled brushes for restoration/reknotting: one a Fuller, and the second a Rubberset 153. Both brushes have a butterscotch Bakelite lower handle and a hard, black rubber upper. My question is thus: does anyone have any experience/knowledge as to whether the butterscotch color on each handle is through and through or merely skin deep? If skin deep, then how does one clean up and highly polish the handle without eliminating the butterscotch color? I noted on one thread where a Rubberset butterscotch handle had turned an entirely different color when polished. Luckily, the new color was very attractive. Thanks in advance for the help.
Butterscotch Handle Restoration
- Thread starter Elevenn
- Start date
They are not all the same. I have two so far. One had a hard plastic handle and a chip reveals milky white underneath. The other had a softer plactic (bakelite?) handle and had mottled brown on the outside. It shined well but where I sanded a rough area on the top the outside edges sanded to a much lighter butterscotch color. So be careful, that lovely patina will sand right off and you'll just have a yellow brush.
What ever the case your best bet for polishing is Meguires PlastiX it can be found at most auto part stores. I would get some micro fibers to along with that as well.
Regards
Dave
Regards
Dave
If you want to preserve the butterscotch color, go easy with the polishing. Vintage plastic handles when new typically were ivory colored; over the years they darken to varying shades of butterscotch on their exterior surfaces. It will lighten considerably when subjected to even mild abrasives.
Good luck with your restorations!
Good luck with your restorations!
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks for the help guys. After doing some additional reading, I believe the butterscotch color on the Rubberset handle will polish off. I'm not so sure about the Fuller handle. I even saw one thread where a dark green handle (not sure of the brand) polished out to an interesting blue/green color.
For now, I think I will focus on progressively sanding and polishing the black rubber uppers (may even try to eliminate the die lines on the Rubberset) and merely lightly polish the butterscotch lowers. I have some Flitz and have been reading up on the Meguires PlastiX (which appears to be designed for clear plastics). Is there any real difference between how the two perform?
Thanks again to all and if anyone else wants to chime in, please feel free.
For now, I think I will focus on progressively sanding and polishing the black rubber uppers (may even try to eliminate the die lines on the Rubberset) and merely lightly polish the butterscotch lowers. I have some Flitz and have been reading up on the Meguires PlastiX (which appears to be designed for clear plastics). Is there any real difference between how the two perform?
Thanks again to all and if anyone else wants to chime in, please feel free.
You will not likely have any color fade problems with the Fuller if it looks like the butterscotch & black one pictured below. The other brush is a Made Rite #44.
Ray Guy! Are you the former NFL Punter?
Could be
My favorite football player when I was a kid and didn't understand much about football because my first and middle names are Guy Ray.
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