ThriftStoreQueen
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posted on July 13, 2002 02:47:53 PM new
Hi!
I was wondering if anyone could give me information on how to tell if something is bakelite? I found a wonderful purse I am guessing is from the 50's from Myles Originals of Miami. It "looks" like Bakelite. I've seen purses by this designer in both Bakelite and Lucite so am not sure which this is. I wish I had a photo to post here if that would help but I dont 
Also, it has a smell to it that I am not sure if it is from being stored or if it is because of what it is made of but it is sort of a vinegar type of smell. It is not overpowering but it is noticeable. It is in excellent condition and a really neat design too. I looked EVERYWHERE on the net and eBay for a purse just like it but haven't seen anything the same exact style. Again, I have seen both Bakelite & Lucite so I'd appreciate any help! Thanks!
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tomwiii
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posted on July 13, 2002 03:01:04 PM new
I think...
BAKELITE was manufactured with (?)Phenol -- if you rub a little Folmula 409 on TRUE Bakelite, you will get a YELLOW rub-off on your cloth!
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waterbabes
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posted on July 13, 2002 03:02:56 PM new
Hi Queen -
Quickly rub the bakelite/lucite with your finger until it gets "warm"...then smell.
If it gives off an odor similar to formaldehyde, it's bakelite.
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kiara
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posted on July 13, 2002 05:24:50 PM new
"HISTORY & IDENTIFICATION OF BAKELITE, LUCITE, & CELLULOID VINTAGE PLASTIC JEWELRY, PURSES, AND ACCESSORIES" when you scroll down the page on this site.
http://www.collectics.com/education_plastic.html
This site has info about testing for bakelite.
http://www.plasticfantastic.com/testing.html
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dadofstickboy
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posted on July 13, 2002 05:30:22 PM new
waterbabes:
What about those of us who haven't died yet, and have no idea what formaldehyde smells like?
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Libra63
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posted on July 13, 2002 07:30:44 PM new
Scrubbing bubbles also does the trick to tell for bakelite. Take a drop of the bubbles on the end of a Q tip and rub the purse with it. If the end turns a goldish or yellowish it is bakelite.
From reading in my Plastic Handbag book, there is never a reference to bakelite in any of the descriptions, only thing they talked about was plastic. Yes they did have a smell and I don't think that smell comes out
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kiara
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posted on July 13, 2002 07:37:00 PM new
Hi libra63
There is a warning about Scrubbing Bubbles on the PlasticFantastic website now.
SCRUBBING BUBBLES
"Dow Bathroom Cleaner USED TO BE widely used to test vintage plastics. However, it is very caustic and can destroy the shiney finish on the area of the piece being tested. THEREFORE WE STRONGLY DISCOURAGE THE FURTHER USE OF THIS PRODUCT TO TEST VINTAGE PLASTICS."
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Libra63
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posted on July 13, 2002 10:53:53 PM new
I knew about that and anything that you use on the plastics will destroy the shiney surface of the item, but if you do it in an obscure area like on the back and not on the front and only use it sparingly like I do with the Q tip I find it is okay on the items I have done. Before the items on the market now to detect bakelite, a hot pin was used and that also destroyed the appearance of the article. Thanks for bringing this to the surface as I should have mentioned this in my previous post. What do they recommend to use? Thanks again
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JRB3
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posted on July 14, 2002 02:18:24 AM new
Simichrome polish detects it well and has no destructive effect on the plastic.
You can get this at almost any hardware store.
Joe B
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kiara
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posted on July 14, 2002 07:02:59 AM new
I have also been told that Simichrome polish was one of the best things to use to test bakelite but now I read this on their site.
We no longer use Simichrome polish to test vintage plastics because it gives false positive results from time to time. This may be because Simichrome, unlike 409, contains abrasives which can prompt plastics which are not bakelite to give off a residue when rubbed with Simichrome. We feel that Simichrome polish is a superior product for polishing bakelite and other vintage plastics, but do not feel it is appropriate as a testing agent.
The site seems to recommend the Hot Water Test or Formula 409. Personally I have always found that most times hot water or rubbing briskly on the item will tell me if it is bakelite or not.
Plastic Fantastic no longer tests vintage plastic jewelry with Scrubbing Bubbles. Instead, I have discovered that Formula 409 all-purpose cleaner is a better testing agent. Test on a small area, preferably on the reverse of a pin or the inside of a bracelet. put a small amount of 409 on a swab and rub it on the test area for a few seconds. if the swab develops a yellowish residue no matter what color the plastic is, then it is likely that the piece is bakelite. wash the test area immediately afterwards with mild dishwashing soap and warm water and towel dry immediately afterward. 409 is superior for testing because unlike Scrubbing Bubbles, it does NOT strip the finish.
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Libra63
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posted on July 14, 2002 08:31:07 AM new
Kiara - you must be able to smell good as I could never smell the bakelite. I could when I was younger but not now. If I need someone to do that for me I go to my daughter as she can detect it but I can't take her with me all the time. darn.
I used Simichrome polish until someone told me it was not good for the bakelite so I got rid of that. Well even though it gets good money I quit selling it as I didn't want to sell something I couldn't detect, although I do have a good return policy.
Every once-in-a-while we need updates on merchandise and I think this was one of the more useful threads in a long time
Thanks ThriftStoreQueen for starting it.
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rarriffle
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posted on July 14, 2002 08:46:54 AM new
If you have very hot tap water and a good nose, you can tell bakelite just by holding it under the running water. Formaldehyde has a very distint odor that will surface very quickly if it is bakelite. No stink, its plastic.
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kiara
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posted on July 14, 2002 09:11:53 AM new
rarriffle is correct. Even if I am buying at a sale and I rub bakelite quickly with my thumb I can recognize the odor right away. It is a very distinct odor and other plastics don't have it at all.
Unfortunately I sold many bakelite items for years before I realized it was valuable.
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