Clean Screwdriver Handles

[ZRX61]

Hmm... nice lemony smell too?

Indeed, & sometimes the orange version for some variety

 

[dodge610]

Re: Clean Screwdriver Handles Up Date

Lump has it right I'm afraid. They look good! How did you abrade the white film off? Scotchbrite? Green or Maroon?

DIsh washing soap and a stiff bristled brush leav the screwdriver soak a few minutes then brush it a little vigoursly and wa la now i will wipe them down withTestors Plastic Prep then spray them with Adhesion promoter and hopefully be good to go for a while .

 

[Kirbot]

I guess the info is a little late...
But I just discovered Goop cleans that stuff right off.

I had a bunch old craftsman nutdrivers to clean, and It worked far better than anything else I've tried.

 

[dodge610]

If it comes back guess ill try pledge see what goes on with that this has only affected my craftsman screwdrivers i have other name brand ones in there never got on those wonder if craftsman used some of that not so good plastic for there handles.

 

[dodge610]

I guess the info is a little late...
But I just discovered Goop cleans that stuff right off.

I had a bunch old craftsman nutdrivers to clean, and It worked far better than anything else I've tried.

Not really if this stuff comes back i will try goop and see how that goes

 

[dodge610]

Finished scrubbing the rest of the screwdrivers today plastic preped half of them will finish the rest tomorrow night pics of before and after of step 2 will follow tomorrow after all this hope to never see the white stuff again aas mentioned before i would just get rid of them and start over but the usa made craftsman are hard for me to let go of since half of them are still the first screwdrivers i ever bought as a teenager.

 

[eborcim]

Anyone have an update on how this cleaning has held up?

 

[Lump]

Eborcim,
I cleaned a few of my old Craftsman and Excelite screwdriver handles, and put them all in a tool box drawer together a few months back. That was a bad idea...as it seemed to accelerate (or at least concentrate) the "stink." Whew! So now I have them stored in a cardboard box out in the open air.

In my experience the white scum comes back over several months. But as the plastic gets older, it seems to occur sooner.

Right now my plan is to eventually sell all my Craftsman and Xcelite screwdrivers, and replace them one at a time whenever I find superior screwdrivers at yard sales, etc. (I happen to really like older MAC screwdrivers with wood handles, though I concede that they aren't as durable. But I have found a few Matco drivers, and I really like them.)

I find that the general public holds a very high opinion of Craftsman tools, and is often unaware of Matco, Cornwell, and (to a lesser degree) Snap On and Mac. So eventually these brands will probably fill the screwdriver drawer in my tool chest, instead of stinky Cman units.

 

[4xdog]

This is a breakdown product of the cellulose acetate polymer from which the handles are made. Clean it all you want -- more will bloom to the surface.

Your choices are limited. (1) use the tools a lot so nothing builds up. (2) keep them well-ventilated, and out of a tool drawer. The acid coming from the cellulose acetate is part of the problem. (3) take them back to Sears for new ones -- this is a hit or miss problem with older Craftsman.

 

[mickeyone]

Hit them with a hair dryer or heat gun the white disappears ,wipe with wd 40 store open air.

 

[stanlee linton]

Re: Clean Screwdriver Handles Up Date

..Thank you so much...Maximum respect..

 

[RHFNI]

I just surveyed some tools bought at an estate sale. The Yankee screwdriver handle had this problem. A quick shot of GooGone did the trick. I can now even see through the plastic to the interior where the bits are stored. Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to clean that side of the plastic, as the space is very cramped. I will try pipe cleaners, when I can figure out where they are sold in these anti-tobacco days. They used to be everywhere tobacco was sold.

 

[ChrisGooch]

Art supply will have pipe cleaners or if you have kids ask them to snag some from one of the primary teachers at their school

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[bonneyman]

I've used Ballistol gun oil with good results on WF and VACO drivers. Neutralizes the acidic residue causing the deterioration, and cleans greasy crud off, too. Remaining odor is much more tolerable, and the bad odor is slow coming back.
Plus I think the advice to not keep then boxed up is good as well.

http://www.ballistol.com/

 

[speedypro]

3 in1 oil is superb for translucent CAB handles. Dried out old handles, drink it in. they go from hard and distressed, back to warm and tactile (and clear). Liberally coat and leave for a couple of minutes. Just polish off with a dry rag.

Solvent de-greasers of any kind will leach out the vital elements keeping the plastic as it should be.

 

[JohnDeere1]

My dad's old snap on and my Mac hard handles do that I just scrub it off and wax them it works great