Scrubbing Bubbles on Bakelite?

[K.T.]

Hello,

I'm cleaning a bakelite handle and was wondering if Scrubbing Bubbles will damage or weaken it in any way. It seems SB is pretty potent stuff, so I wasn't sure if I should try it or not.

I did do a search. On some threads, a number of folks recommended against it. A few members did recommend it on one thread, but I didn't get a sense of assurance that it really won't do any damage.

I wanted to ask to get a definitive idea if I should go for it or try something else.

Thanks!
K.T.

[tblech]

Growing up in a Janitorial family I was trained on how to use "real" toilet bowl cleaner. The stuff that most people destroy bath fixtures with... I can't imagine that bakelite is so fragile that a quick cleaning with scrubbing bubbles would hurt it, but be caustious and do not leave it on for more then a few moments. You are right, it is pretty powerful, but I can't imagine it will do any harm to bakelite though if there are any soft metals involved, i.e. brass, be cautious as SB will eat brass in a very short amount of time...

[taffy]

I am in the uk and cant get s/b but have used the same sort of thing on a few bakelite cases with no probs, then i used a furniture polish to shine them up nice.

[Walter Sobchak]

I used X-14 Foaming Bathroom Cleaner (very similar as SB) on a bakelite handle the other day and it worked just fine. I didn't let it sit for more than a minute or two, then I hit it gently with a soft toothbrush. The X-14 left it clean and shining with no unintended badness.

[mmack66]

Scrubbing Bubbles should be okay, but don't get any alcohol near the Bakelite. Don't ask me how I know.

[K.T.]

...if there are any soft metals involved, i.e. brass, be cautious as SB will eat brass in a very short amount of time...

Is that right? I gave the head of my Gem Jr. a thorough soaking in Scrubbing Bubbles thinking it would be OK since it was metal. The Parade model has an unplated brass head.

It would be ironic if I did harm to my brass head thinking that since it's metal, Scrubbing Bubbles shouldn't hurt it. I left it to soak for about 10 to 15 minutes, scrubbed it with a toothbrush, hit it with SB again, waited another 10 to 15 minutes, and repeated.

Anyone else notice damage to brass with Scrubbing Bubbles? Yikes! I hope I didn't do anything bad to it.

Thanks for the the advice regading the bakelite, btw. It's not so much the bakelite that I want to clean, but the threaded screw mount on the tip of the handle. It's good to know SB won't hurt the handle too much.

Thanks!
K.T.

[Greybeard]

Scrubbing Bubbles won't harm brass. If there's any warning about it, it's because soaking in SB may harm the protective lacquer coating on brass bathroom fixtures leading to oxidation. It can degrade acrylics, not metals.

Edit: Bakelite is phenolic, not acrylic.




- Peter

[Jake]

SB will take the shine out of a shiny bakelite finish. It works great on metals but I would avoid using it on plastic or bakelite. That was my unfortunate experience.