How to polish an old handle

[chezrad]

So I picked up a really nice Ready Made brush. It needs a new knot. That's not the problem. What are the secrets to making it look like new? Thanks.

 

[Snargle]

All depends on the condition. If it's heavily scratched, scuffed, and stained, then it'll probably need to be sanded down first. I use progressive grades of wet-dry sand paper...starting with 400-500 grit and moving up to 1500 or so. Once the uglies are removed, then I use a plastic polish...the type sold at auto parts stores for refinishing scratched and clouded plastic headlight covers. If it's in decent shape to start with, just the plastic polish should suffice.

 

[deruitem]

All depends on the condition. If it's heavily scratched, scuffed, and stained, then it'll probably need to be sanded down first. I use progressive grades of wet-dry sand paper...starting with 400-500 grit and moving up to 1500 or so. Once the uglies are removed, then I use a plastic polish...the type sold at auto parts stores for refinishing scratched and clouded plastic headlight covers. If it's in decent shape to start with, just the plastic polish should suffice.

+1, sometimes I get lucky and can mount them on my lathe and polish them out

 

[Rudy Vey]

I buff them on my lathe after I clean them up with small bamboo sticks.

 

[Angry__Panda]

You can also bust out your dremel with some jeweler's rouge like you might to restore an old razor. There is a tutorial that you can find here in the straight razor forum. Just keep the RPM's low and go slow and you should have no problem.