Tough white coating on old screwdriver handles

Mr. Land wrote: ...

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If they're very old, I'd expect it is simply oxidation of the plastic. Not much can do about it if so...

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I would agree that it is simple deterioration of the plastic. To "spruce them up," you might see if the "Fusion" plastic paint in some suitable color might help. Make sure to get all the grease off -- a good detergent, or run them through the dishwasher (the chief domestic engineer might not be pleased, however).

Older cellulose acetate/butyrate plastics would absorb a bit of moisture and 'whiten'. When thoroughly dried, the effect disappeared. Try drying them out by exposure to a modest temperature of maybe 140 F or so for a while, That should not distort the plastic and ought to speed up any moisture migration. Worth a try.

Joe

Wipe them down with acetone, but don't soak them in it. That is how they pretty up screwdrivers in the factory before shipping.

-- aem sends...

Be *very* carefull with acetone. It temporarily disolves plastic and turns plastic to goo. If you use a flash coating to "spruce it up" be very carefull not to touch it while it is in the goo state. Touch it and one's fingerprint will become a permenant feature.

Thanks for all the replies, folks. Thought I had a super-fungus rampant in my toolboxes. Cheers.

Use your propane or MAPP torch on it. Be gentle at first until you get the feel.

fI don't think oxidation is the right word, but yes, it comes from the plastic itself. Maybe you could paint the handles with lacquer or something. I have the same problem with specific tools, not necessarily old ones, and once I found out it wasn't mold, I stopped worrying about it.

I don't know the cause of this problem, but the handles do clean up nicely with a scotch pad and some water. I found the coating comes off very easily.

I am willing to bet Mr. Land found the answer about eight years ago right after he posted his question. Sheesh.

Hmm. Question from 2008, finally answered?

Probably not.

My harbor Freight impact screw driver still stinks, year later.

If you had read the whole thread (from 2008), you would know more than you would want to know about the subject.

But he said the coating was tough, so I guess he knows HIS coating doesn't come off easily.