Hi Alex, thank you for that. I did wonder given their very close lineage!
Martynp,
If you are talking about the US ‘plastic’ B-5/6/7/8 and MC-2 series handles, it is just a naturally occurring oxidation that can simply be wiped off. It seems to depend on the atmosphere they are kept in and the type of plastic used in original manufacture and is not specific to just one producer. It is strange, as I have several handles made by Guardian Electric, Bendix, Ansul and Mason etc. all from different periods, some generate the oxidation yet some don’t!
Others on this forum may have different methods but, I use an old tooth brush and white spirit for the US handles and WD40 or, similar for the British ‘Dunlop’ handles. (obviously take the necessary and appropriate precautions when using any solvent, use gloves, adequate ventilation, away from sources of ignition etc. etc.).
Again, if you are referring to the cast metal part of a Dunlop handle, it too is oxidization. Gentle scouring/wire brush to get the ‘crust’ off (dust mask!) and clean using WD 40, dry and put a coat of paint over it (I generally use acrylics as, they tend to leave less brush marks or, spray using one of ‘Halfords’ finest acrylic rattle cans.
If there are some small/large ‘craters’ left after you have cleaned the crust off, use black coloured ‘Milli-putt’ epoxy modelling filler to fill in the holes, (use a wet finger before it sets to smooth it, rather than wait till it dries and use abrasives, remember not to lick finger at this point). Then a coat of paint as above.
But, remember the degree of how much you restore a grip is entirely up to you. However, Dunlop grips will only start to oxidize if the bare metal is exposed so, a coat of paint will protect it long term. If you want to preserve it’s originality, you must stabilise it before you paint it.
One way to prevent the oxidization from happening again and also to protect the rubberised ‘Vulcanite’ covering on Dunlop grips (as they age, the rubber degrades and wipes off, turning your hand black), is to give them a coat of ‘Kleer’ floor wax, (called ‘Future’ wax in the US I believe). However, as the many modellers here will tell you, ‘Kleer’s’ formula has changed and it is not as good or, the same as it used to be. Fortunately, I brought a couple of the old bottles before the original went out of production!
Hope this helps?
Martyn
GYD
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