Solvents and Bakelite Grips

Aaron · 03-13-2012, 05:35 PM

I know of no plastic type material that will stand up to acetone.

Olle · 03-14-2012, 09:25 AM

One standard trick in the plastic model building world is to use brake fluid to remove paint, and I have used it on everything from plastic models to old car parts with good results. The cheapest DOT3 seems to work best, just soak the part until the paint starts to wrinkle up, brush it off with a tooth brush and rinse it good with soap and water. Brake fluid won't affect rubber seals in the brake system, and Bakelite is a type of hard rubber so it shouldn't affect it either.

I have never tried it on Bakelite so I can't guarantee how it will work, but I know that it won't affect styrene plastic and rubber. I have had mostly good experiences with it but I have also seen a plastic lens from a '69 Camaro turn into a sticky jelly bean after a night in brake fluid. As always, you better try it on a scrap piece first.

sheepherder · 03-14-2012, 10:53 AM

I don't know how it will affect bakelite, but the spray-on brake cleaner for disk brakes will remove lacquer...As I sadly found out on my 86 Corvette aluminum rims...

ithacaartist · 03-15-2012, 12:52 PM

Yes, brake fluid is death to a painted finish. (Well, it used to be--not sure how the current cyanoacrylates fare)

Another thing to try which would theoretically be gentle on the bakelite is Easy-Off oven cleaner, which is basically lye solution in an aerosol can, give or take some fragrance and perhaps some proprietary buffers. Lye in this concentration is corrosive to "polar" materials like metals (Spray some on a piece of aluminum foil, wad the foil up quickly, and place the wad on a non-combustible surface, then observe!), but is easiy on "non-polar" surfaces like plastic, wood, and rubber--all of which are organic. I've used it back in the day to strip furniture. If used on something porous, like wood, it needs to be neutralized afterward by a quick flush with vinegar, a weak acid.

Dab a test spot on the backside of the grip, and Ill bet it works out fine.

David Parker

03-14-2012, 10:53 AM	#3
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,208 Thanks: 1,425 Thanked 4,474 Times in 2,343 Posts	I don't know how it will affect bakelite, but the spray-on brake cleaner for disk brakes will remove lacquer...As I sadly found out on my 86 Corvette aluminum rims... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

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03-13-2012, 05:35 PM	#1
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	I know of no plastic type material that will stand up to acetone.

03-14-2012, 09:25 AM	#2
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 664 Times in 318 Posts	One standard trick in the plastic model building world is to use brake fluid to remove paint, and I have used it on everything from plastic models to old car parts with good results. The cheapest DOT3 seems to work best, just soak the part until the paint starts to wrinkle up, brush it off with a tooth brush and rinse it good with soap and water. Brake fluid won't affect rubber seals in the brake system, and Bakelite is a type of hard rubber so it shouldn't affect it either. I have never tried it on Bakelite so I can't guarantee how it will work, but I know that it won't affect styrene plastic and rubber. I have had mostly good experiences with it but I have also seen a plastic lens from a '69 Camaro turn into a sticky jelly bean after a night in brake fluid. As always, you better try it on a scrap piece first.

03-15-2012, 12:52 PM	#4
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,410 Thanks: 7,584 Thanked 2,660 Times in 1,399 Posts	Yes, brake fluid is death to a painted finish. (Well, it used to be--not sure how the current cyanoacrylates fare) Another thing to try which would theoretically be gentle on the bakelite is Easy-Off oven cleaner, which is basically lye solution in an aerosol can, give or take some fragrance and perhaps some proprietary buffers. Lye in this concentration is corrosive to "polar" materials like metals (Spray some on a piece of aluminum foil, wad the foil up quickly, and place the wad on a non-combustible surface, then observe!), but is easiy on "non-polar" surfaces like plastic, wood, and rubber--all of which are organic. I've used it back in the day to strip furniture. If used on something porous, like wood, it needs to be neutralized afterward by a quick flush with vinegar, a weak acid. Dab a test spot on the backside of the grip, and Ill bet it works out fine. David Parker