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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: rustyattic on November 25, 2013, 09:51:02 PM

Title: Plastic or bakelite? Inkwell
Post by: rustyattic on November 25, 2013, 09:51:02 PM

I found a couple of these over the weekend.  Do they look like bakelite or something more recent?

Title: Re: Plastic or bakelite? Inkwell
Post by: wendy177 on November 26, 2013, 05:36:44 AM

To test for bakelite take a small dab of simichrome polish (it is a light pink color) place it on  a white cloth and rub a small area on the  piece in question. If it is bakelite the simichrome will turn a nasty tobacco yellow color on the cloth. If not the simichrome will remain its pink color.

Title: Re: Plastic or bakelite? Inkwell
Post by: KC on November 27, 2013, 05:45:58 PM

The green ones remind me of the old cafeteria restaurant food trays!  Some people also call it Melamine (different branding and slightly different mix of ingredients). 

ALSO, if you rub bakelite with your finger until it gets really warm/hot...it smells like formaldehyde!!!!

Here is a good article for you
http://www.vixen-vintage.com/2012/03/itty-bitty-bakelite-lesson.html (http://www.vixen-vintage.com/2012/03/itty-bitty-bakelite-lesson.html)