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| Thread ID: 43010 | 2004-02-29 21:13:00 | OT: And hugely so! How do you restore artificial tortoise shell? | Billy T (70) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 219142 | 2004-02-29 21:13:00 | Hi Team I am restoring an old manrobe that belonged to my parents and it had fake tortoise shell behind the handles and as the handle mounting blocks . One side still looks perfect , but for some obscure reason the other is badly faded, so much so that the shell pattern is barely discernable and the material seems to have gone a little opaque . They are only 100mm apart with the doors closed and to my recollection it has never been exposed to the sun anyway so that doesn't seem to be the cause . I am suspecting perhaps a material fault, though it is hard to imagine different batches for each handle, or more likely, a failed attempt to clean with the wrong solvent at some time in the past . I have searched extensively for restoration information, but I can't even find what artificial tortoise shell was made of, though given the age (late 1920's to mid 1930's) I suspect a cellulose-based material . I thought that perhaps the right oil might penetrate the surface and restore some depth of colour but I fear I will get one chance only so I want to use the best shot first . Any ideas or pointers? Cheers Billy 8-{) :) |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 219143 | 2004-02-29 21:16:00 | ask a furniture restorer? | metla (154) | ||
| 219144 | 2004-02-29 21:19:00 | Hi Not sure on the oil bit, but you could ask a furniture restorer what they recomend or even an antiques dealer they may have the info you require . Someone who works in the industry i guess . Other wise dont touch till absolutely certain you are doing the right thing . Other wise i have no bloody idea how to help . :D beetle |
beetle (243) | ||
| 219145 | 2004-02-29 21:40:00 | I was expecting a question about a hard shelled slow moving object with four legs ... :D:D:D | Jester (13) | ||
| 219146 | 2004-02-29 22:00:00 | Google tells all: "Towards the end of the nineteenth century, casein plastics based on milk proteins started to appear in the form of clothing fasteners, decorative objects, and artificial tortoiseshell etc" |
godfather (25) | ||
| 219147 | 2004-03-01 00:44:00 | OK OK I'll do the obvious then......... Have you tried Turtle Wax?? | dipstick01 (445) | ||
| 219148 | 2004-03-01 00:48:00 | Dipstick01 > ROFLMAO that is a gooodie..... :D you can always guarantee something to be a laugh round here.... beetle |
beetle (243) | ||
| 219149 | 2004-03-01 00:55:00 | This outfit have the real thing - Tortoise Wax. www.china-caruse.com |
godfather (25) | ||
| 219150 | 2004-03-01 01:02:00 | So I am suffering the revenge of the long-departed bovines am I Godfather? ?:| :_| Thinks: What chemicals go well with milk products and possess restorative qualities (apart from milkshake mixtures and the odd whisky & warm milk). I don't want to get into calling antique dealers or furniture restorers because that can be a longwinded process and I have more faith in the collective wisdom of PF1. Cheers Billy 8-{) Turtle wax sounds good to me. Either that or Leather polish. |
Billy T (70) | ||
| 219151 | 2004-03-01 05:17:00 | Would turning it over help. Are you able to shave a few thou off of it.(by hand of course) Any chance of a screen shot so I can suggest a proper fix. And yes, I have been restoring antiques for over 25 years,so I appreciated all those friendly comments about restorers. Cheers. A. |
albatross (343) | ||
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