Some Lucite Restorations

[Dave Colangelo]

After seeing some other threads here and asking some questions on how to go about it, I developed quite a liking to the clear Lucite brushes and decided to restore a few. Luckily I already had one but some time on ebay and a few more were quickly in the mail. I will use this thread to detail all of them. The first one I started working on was a made rite 52. The center of the knot was worn out and had to be replaced. Unfortunately during the steam removal the plastic softened and the lettering on the bottom filled its self in smooth. The brush remained in tact and held its shape but other than that the knot came out easy.


The Old Knot


Before Polishing


The original text


After being melted a bit


Regards
Dave

 

[Dave Colangelo]

I also found this nice nylon bristle brush. I considered reknoting it but the knot was in such good shape I just polished it a bit and left it as is. There is always more polishing to be done but its coming together nicely. I will be painting the letters soon, im thinking either red or gold thoughts?



Regards
Dave

 

[bmilcs]

Looks great man! How are synthetic knots performance wise?

 

[Snargle]

Nice brushes, Dave! Just curious...are you planning on using the Klenzo with the Nylon bristles? I've tried Nylon brushes from that era and found them basically unusable. If it were me, I'd plan on reknotting it.

 

[Dave Colangelo]

In response to both,

I have not used the nylon brush yet, I have been spending the time cleaning it up before I try it. If it is that bad then I think it will just go into the display. If the knot were in bad shape I would reknot it but the nylon is clean and full and I see no reason to ruin such a nice example of history. If I find I like the handle I will try and get ahold of one with a bad knot. Since the 52 is getting re-knotted I will have at least one new brush to play with. I also have a made rite 62 on its way which will most likely get a new knot as well.

Regards
Dave

 

[M_bisco]

Hi Dave, nice brushes!!

What do you use to polish them up? Do you use sandpaper or just a polish?

I have a lucite brush on the way and would like to get it shined up!

 

[Dave Colangelo]

As per recommendations here I have been using Meguiars PlastiX and it works Great!!! Some people say you can sand a bit for deep scratches then use the PlastiX for finishing. These brushes have a few deeper scratches but I enjoy the patina they give it and have simply polished up around them. These pics are pre shine, I will try and get a post current shine pic up later today. I have been hesitant to sand them in fear of not being able to polish back to clear. I know it will all be ok but I am still a bit nervous. If I find a good beat up candidate I will go with the wet sanding method and see what happens. Another thing I read about (not a concern with these brushes) is sanding the color off. Some of the lucite brushes are colored as Im sure you have seen and over time the color fades or changes. Unless you know the original color you may be surprised that after a bit of sanding the color is totally different. So be careful with those older colored brushes. The clear lucite will polish up to a glass like look with the PastiX that Im sure you will be happy with. It does take some work though.

Regards
Dave

 

[Snargle]

Regarding color loss from sanding/polishing, I'm mostly concerned with the old butterscotch Bakelite or Celluloid handles. The coloring on those is due to oxidation or weathering and is only skin deep. It's very easy to sand right through the butterscotch so that the original ivory/white color shows. I think the Lucite colors are all the way through the material, but I've never ground one down far enough to test out that theory!

 

[Dave Colangelo]

From everything I have read about Lucite casting it should be through and through with the color. According to various sources it is colored by adding dye to the mix so the color should be all the way through. As for the butterscotch and such I would agree that it can be sanded off quite easily. Another issue I have encountered is rubbing alcohol removing the rubber coating or varnish from some brushes. I use Isopropyl to clean a lot of things and once had an issue where it removed the finish from a brush.

Regards
Dave

 

[JaxJim]

I've tried Nylon brushes from that era and found them basically unusable.

I'm with you, Larry-- one attempt was sufficient to discourage me from soldiering on. I can't imagine using a vintage Nylon brush daily-- a whisk broom would feel like a Silvertip in comparison!

 

[Dave Colangelo]

So I got the 62 in the mail yesterday and I was quite excited. Here is a pic of the 3 current Lucite brushes in the collection. The center one has been plished almost to where I like it, the right one is on its way to shiny, and the left one is untouched. You can see the difference in clarity well here.



Regards
Dave

 

[Deltaboy]

Good looking Brushes.