Other cleaners for testing bakelite?

[TylulaVintage]

Being from Canada I can't ge the items that most sites recommend for testing.

I have to order simichrome off of ebay.

So, I tested out some bakelite (and non-bakelite) with the silver cleaner 'Silvo' and it works really well.

So there's another option for those of us who live anywhere where simichrome isn't available.

Has anyone tried anything else?

[AgeofPlastic]

Hi, TS. I know it's a pain to have to order the simichrome, but in the long run, it's probably best to stick with it (see our older thread on testing). A little goes a long way, it doubles as a great polish, and it's safe to use. I have been a long time user of 409, but I swear I think they've changed the formula and I don't think it's as reliable as it used to be and if not used carefully it can ruin your piece. You don't need to wash simichrome off, but if you are using some other type of cleaner, be sure to wash it off with soap and water to avoid ending up with a dull spot.

I promise, one day, you'll be more confident and you won't feel the need to test so often! I generally only test when I'm selling a piece or if it's a rare puzzler. I just listed a nice Lucite bangle that was driving me nuts! I must have held it under the hot water half a dozen times before I had to tell myself to give it a rest and admit it wasn't Bakelite ;)

[TylulaVintage]

I have simichrome and will always use it too - but I thought it was handy that something we have in Canada also works ;)

But I guess it only works on things that test strongly -- it's already a yellow colour so it won't turn a light yellow lol.

The thumb test seems to be the best for me so far.

[Former_Member]

I collect bakelite and rarely test pieces from my own collection. I was obsessive to begin with!

I use simichrome for bakelite I am selling online as buyers like that!

If I have an item of my own I am unsure about and it is bugging me. I use the cleaner GUMPTION lightly and sparingly as it costs next to nothing and is in my cleaning cupboard. Carefully, as I am sure it is abrasive. This cleaner is an off white paste and will turn yellow due to a chemical reaction with the bakelite. Exactly like simichrome. Gumption is a fabulous cleaner for old plastic kitchen cannister too!

The simichrome I have is a light pink colour and then turns a dark yellow if positive to bakelite.

Kitty Xx

[Former_Member]

Is anyone here from Europe who has suggestions for a brand name I could use to test?

Elke x

[AgeofPlastic]

I thought Simichrome was German (Happich is the company, but it is sold internationally)?

[KimLovesVintage]

I have bakelite testing pads for sale on my website, they are very handy and can be used many times. They are one of my best sellers.
http://www.trocadero.com/KimLovesVintage/items/815329/item815329store.html#item
I suppose I should put them on Etsy as well.

[Former_Member]

I've always used Simichrome, but recently found a product called MAAS. The side of the tube says it is "A fine polishing creme for all metals," and also for plexiglass, fiberglass and enamel. It polishes Bakelite beautifully.

[CrowsNestAntiques]

I've always used simichrome because I know that the color change is due to the presence of oxidized formaldehyde. Unless I know why the testing agent changes color, I would be hesitant to use it.

Kim, I have seen the bakelite testing pads on-line. Do they contain simichrome, or another chemical agent? Are they useful for cleaning bakelite? I'd love to know more about them.

Michelle, I have a couple of really nice carved bangles with dull spots where they were apparently tested with either 409 or Scrubbing Bubbles. Is there any way to get rid of these spots?

Thanks to everyone!

Wendy

[KimLovesVintage]

I do not know what is in the pads. I know they are very handy and very accurate, I have dozens of repeat customers, some of them just call me and I send them out an order and they just mail me a check. I use them myself. I don't recommend polishing your Bakelite unless you want it to return to the original color, when you polish you remove the patina. Bakelite collectors generally want the patina in tact.

I don't believe the color change is due to any chemical reaction to do with the semichrome it has to do with removing the patina.

There is no way to get the spots off from testing with other chemicals, You have removed the patina and it will have to redeposit on its own. A Bakelite piece can return to original patina in about 5 years. I have some new designer pieces that have returned to the vintage patina color after that amount of time.

Hope this helps.

Kim
self proclaimed Bakelite Queen

[Former_Member]

The tests I trust most are the look, clunk and hot water. If it doesn't pass those tests I don't believe it's Bakelite. When I first began collecting, I bought a piece on Ebay that was heavily carved and tested positive with simichrome. This was several years ago, and it was an expensive lesson. Newly made Fakelite can appear real to an untrained eye AND it can pass the simichrome test. But the smell under hot water is different, the look is off. The best way to know for sure is to test it under hot water. Simichrome is a great cleaner and polish.

[CrowsNestAntiques]

Simichrome is great for cleaning and polishing bakelite and won't harm or remove any of the patina. But I agree that simichrome alone is not an absolute test. So I always do the hot water test as well. The other test (and this takes care of fakes) is to examine the piece closely for surface wear. You'll rarely find a vintage piece without minor scratches, scuffs, etc. If it's perfect it's not bakelite!

Simichrome absolutely does react to the oxidized formaldehyde (the patina)on bakelite. It is a chemical reaction to that which creates the color change. If you test a piece of bakelite that has been recently cleaned with scrubbing bubbles you will not get a reaction until the oxidation process has started again (usually about 6 months). Similarly, if you test a new piece of Shultz bakelite you won't get a reaction until it's aged for 6 months or so.

[AgeofPlastic]

Agreed completely with you. The benefit of a Shultz piece is they come with a lovely signature ;)

[KimLovesVintage]

I agree the hot water test is the ultimate. Especially for Black or Red. However, I can usually just rub a piece and get the smell. Most of the time I can tell by looking at a piece. There is something about Bakelite when you have handled it for years that you can almost tell right away without testing, the texture of the inside of the bracelet, the patterns, if you spend hours pouring through books and reading familiar patterns emerge and so does the "fakelite". I have several albums and PowerPoint lectures given at the Costume Jewelry Collectors International if convention if anyone is interested in the links you can convo me privately. Bakelite is my drug of choice...I had someone question the authenticity of one of my Shultz pieces and emailed them back since they did not read the description that Ester had verified it for me. She only lives about an hour and half away from me and I have known her work for years. There is so much misinformation out there that is why I joined this group. Years ago we had a Yahoo group that were sort of the Bakelite Police, exposing as many sellers who were passing off fakelite and newly created bakelite as vintage originals. There are people who "accelerate" the patina process in a variety of ways which I don't like to reveal since it provides information to those who would possibly use it for personal gain. There are also "washes" put over resin to create the illusion test that means they give the same nicotine color result no matter which chemical you test with. Best is to buy from a reputable dealer with a good return policy and study Bakelite as much as possible to familiarize yourself with it.

[CrowsNestAntiques]

Well said Kim!

[Former_Member]

Here is a link to Karima Parry's ideas on testing. She has written some great books and has the Plastic Fantastic website

http://plasticfantastic.com/testing.html

[AgeofPlastic]

Karima = Awesomeness

[Former_Member]

I have two pieces I am pretty sure are bake lite. My mom was an antique dealer since the sixties so I guess it is in my blood. I have one bangle from my mom that I have listed on my store. It is black and passes the 409 test. Last week I found a large necklace with big round beads. It us the yellow or butterscotch color I see in a lot of Bakelite. So I compared the two pieces. They both smell the same in hot water but my nose can't tell what exactly that smell is. They make the clunk noise I think. No glue or seams. They weigh a little heavier than plastic. But the yellow necklace turns more of a cream color with 409. The black bangle turns yellow. I just got some simichrome. The yellow necklace turns a dark yellow but I notice lightens the yellow on the necklace. When I test the black bangle with simichrome, it turns yellow then turns more gray the more I rub. So my question is, can the simichrome lighten the Bakelite.? Can black Bakelite test yellow with 409 but be more grayish yellow with simichrome? I know this is an older post but any help would be appreciated. I was certain my bangle was Bakelite until I tried the simichrome test. This area of costume jewelry is a true learning experience.

[CrowsNestAntiques]

Hi Vanessa,
Most of the bakelite I find is incredibly dirty and I use simichrome to clean and polish it. In my experience, yellow bakelite shows dirt the most, and sometimes when I clean it, it gets a little bit lighter. What's being removed is dirt, not patina, as the piece still tests positive with simichrome and hot water after being cleaned.

When black bakelite is dirty it is harder to notice. Also, a lot of black bakelite does not test chemically, so the hot water test is necessary. You could try cleaning the black bangle as well and then test again with simichrome.

When testing with simichrome just use a gentle swipe, there's no need to rub hard. Same with cleaning, I just lightly rub the bakelite piece with my fingers and a small amount of simichrome and then wash in warm soapy water and rinse.

Wendy

[KimLovesVintage]

If you want clean Bakelite just wash it with soap and water. I will be lecturing on this very subject at the National Antique and Jewelry Conference aka JewelryCamp.org this summer.

[Kissisjustakiss]

Also never use 409 on Bakelite or Catalin. It is very harmful to the piece. Also never hot pin the Bakelite it will leave a permanent hole. I have collected for over 30 years. Hot soapy water and soft toothbrush is the best. Simichrome or hot water test the best. Not all red or black test. you need to know your Bakelite to know if it is real when be Black or red. I hope this helps everyone.

[AgeofPlastic]

Agreed on the soap and water thing. People are way too eager to use solvents on vintage plastics and it's very easy to ruin a good piece.

[Kissisjustakiss]

Hello Michele:
Nice seeing you. Here is my Pinterest page. It has a vast amount of Bakelite and Catalin pinned there. I am obsessed.
https://www.pinterest.com/Galgena/

[AgeofPlastic]

I am absolutely terrible at checking in on some of my teams, but I happened to see the post. I'm usually around though if anyone wants to convo me :)