posted on November 4, 2003 04:58:26 AM
I think I had heard that there was a way to tell Bekelite from plasic, anyone know of it? I have on old slide viewer I was going to sent to the thrift store, but my hubband saye it is Bakelite, so I thought it might be worth listing.
posted on November 4, 2003 05:08:36 AM
Here's a few I have bookmarked...
Rub your thumb firmly across the surface and then sniff. If it gives off a chemical odor, it is bakelite.
Hot Water Test:
Don't do this if the item has string, wood, hand painted decoration, or other non-plastic decorative materials; hold the edge of the piece under HOT running tap water for up to 30 seconds and then smell it. Bakelite has a characteristic Phenol or fresh shellac odor. No odor probably means that the piece is Lucite.
The 409 Method:
Formula 409 all-purpose cleaner is a better testing agent. Test on a small area, that cannot be seen such as 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 color, no matter what color the plastic is, then it is likely that the piece is bakelite. Wash the area immediately afterwards with mild dishwashing soap and warm water and towel dry immediately.
Scrubbing Bubbles Test:
Same as the above only using the scrubbing bubbles cleanser.
"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it." - A Few Good Men
posted on November 4, 2003 06:09:50 AM
I use something called "Sterling's Magic All Purpose Cleaner". It's the pink stuff that they used to sell door to door but now you can pick it up in department and automotive stores. It also turns orange when rubbed on Bakelite. It also works wonders on stains and other dirty surfaces.
posted on November 4, 2003 02:59:09 PM
What about melamine plastic? Hit up a page that shows there are collectors for that, but I couldnt tell the different in the plastic?
The surface of the object in question is rubbed with a clean, dry finger. Rub until you get good friction and feel heat being generated. Then, smell the area you rubbed. The bakelite odor has a chemical smell like formaldehyde.
