Stinky moldy tool handles

[6PTsocket]

In the 80's many tool companies Xcelite, Craftsman and others used a plastic called Cellulose Acetate Butyrate or CAB for screwdriver and nut driver handles. It is tough, chemical resistant and cheap. What was later discovered is that if they are stored in a confined space, like a tool drawer, They develop a white waxy coating on the surface that has an odor variously described as vomit, BO, or worse. The odor also permeates the compartment they were stored in. The good news is the coating can be completely scrubbed off but if they are again stored in a confined area it happens again. Many mistake this coating for some kind of mold growth but it is actually some sort of oxidation or decomposition of the plastic. I have seen a recommendation for a shellac coating but that is neither tough or even water or alcohol proof. Has anybody found a good clear coat to encapsulate the handles and possibly stop a recurrence of the problem. It would have to be clear, tough, at least moderately resistant to shop chemicals and not eat the plastic. I have a lot of Xcelite screw and nut drivers that I just cleaned up and would like to be able to put away. I believe this has been discussed before but could find no fix.

 

[CafeTools]

Maybe a soak in some paint thinner would help too, dont know.

 

[jacked_72]

There's a ton of threads on Garage Journal about this issue. I don't recall if there were any solutions.

 

[fsae0607]

No solutions AFAIK. I deal with it by drinking whiskey until the smell doesn't bother me anymore lol

 

[jakemac]

Has anyone tried dipping the handles in polyurethane to seal the plastic ?

 

[rlitman]

Has anyone tried dipping the handles in polyurethane to seal the plastic ?

I have not tried it, but I have thought about it. Honestly, the smell doesn't really offend me. It just brings up a nostalgia for toolboxes. Yeah, it's kind of yucky, but it's associated with good things, so I look past it.

 

[CoogarXR]

First time I smelled it, I accused a co-worker of scraping dog **** off his shoes with one of my screwdrivers, lol.

 

[Infinia]

I heard a clothes pin strategically placed works wonders but I highly recommend to use your favorite tool polish dabbed on the upper lip.... IDK maybe snap-off tool box perfume

ugh cant believe problems sum people have.

 

[66354dream]

I feel your pain OP, I started a thread on that exact problem and tried everything. This was my solution and I have no regrets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000K1LXAK/?tag=atomicindus08-20.

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

I just found an old pair of dikes that had that yellow **** on the handles, smelled funny and was a bit slippery feeling. Cut it off with a razor knife and now they are just like new.

 

[WWheeler]

But if you lick them does it make your tongue go numb?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wzObaO5WF_I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Infinia]

I'll buy all your stinky pre-Apex Xcelite tools in good condition.

 

[jakemac]

I heard a clothes pin strategically placed works wonders but I highly recommend to use your favorite tool polish dabbed on the upper lip.... IDK maybe snap-off tool box perfume

ugh cant believe problems sum people have.

Does the clothespin go on the left side of the screwdriver drawer or the right side ?

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

Anyone tried dipping it in plastidip? That stuff is actually pretty strong


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bdgjr215]

I have not tried it, but I have thought about it. Honestly, the smell doesn't really offend me. It just brings up a nostalgia for toolboxes. Yeah, it's kind of yucky, but it's associated with good things, so I look past it.

Same for me,reminds me of my dad's basement shop.I associate that with good memories.

 

[Al Borland]

If you use clear-coat paint, dip or spray with leftovers. Dipping in clear urethane would probably work as well. If the pseudo-plastic isn't exposed to air, it doesn't get the funk.

 

[Infinia]

If you use clear-coat paint, dip or spray with leftovers. Dipping in clear urethane would probably work as well. If the pseudo-plastic isn't exposed to air, it doesn't get the funk.

Think the handles plastic material is outgassing so the 'frosty' coating perhaps including bubbles, cracking, hazing will still appear, how well the extra poly layers sticks and wears down with use. who knows. Like hands of time , you cant stop da funk.

 

[Wyoming09]

Same for me,reminds me of my dad's basement shop.I associate that with good memories.

I get the same thoughts whenever I use Hoppes #9.

 

[kythri]

I get the same thoughts whenever I use Hoppes #9.

But, Hoppes #9 smells GOOD.

 

[SnapOnToolsGreen]

I use 3m rubbing compound followed by wax like turtle wax and then light coating of oil "Lucas oil tool box buddy" for a deep shine restores ugly discolored handles and helps the smell as the wax smells good but not sure how long it lasts. Just bought an old craftsman BE Amber handle ratchet for 30 bucks on flea bay score! But man does it stink I'm scared to mess with this one but used Lucas oil metal polish on the metal and can see my face of the chrome just used an old t shirt I've left the handle alone. Even the older snap on soft grip screwdrivers stink bad after heavy use either that or they are like a sponge to the other screwdrivers stank...#scratch head

 

[bonneyman]

Soak them in Ballistol and water for about 30 minutes, remove and wipe dry. Did a test on my NOS set of VACO nutdrivers that had the "stink" really bad. Upon opening the box several weeks later the odor had not returned.

The Ballistol is a gun oil that is used to neutralize the acidic residue in corrosive ammunition so it doesn't corrode the barrel. Figured it could neutralize the acidic byproducts of the handle decomposition and eliminate the odor. So far, so good.

http://ballistol.com/uses/other-uses/

 

[Brian_WK]

I plasti-dipped a bunch of mine not for the smell but it was nut drivers that were hard to identify when in a tool bag. I did a very through cleaning with DN alcohol then warmed them up in the oven to outgas them (leaving them in the sun in a clean plastic container would probably work as well) then a coat of plastic primer, then 2 coats of the dunk style plasti dip. They obviously no longer look like the original drivers and you can't read the name brand but that wasn't my concern. And you can get clear plasti dip. They have been holding up great for 2 years.

Brian

 

[mjoekingz28]

Maybe a soak in some paint thinner would help too, dont know.

Soak in hand cleaner

 

[6PTsocket]

Has anyone tried dipping the handles in polyurethane to seal the plastic ?

That was my thought and was hoping to get feedback from somebody that tried it before dipping the handles in something I could not remove.

I just found an old pair of dikes that had that yellow **** on the handles, smelled funny and was a bit slippery feeling. Cut it off with a razor knife and now they are just like new.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

I have not tried it, but I have thought about it. Honestly, the smell doesn't really offend me. It just brings up a nostalgia for toolboxes. Yeah, it's kind of yucky, but it's associated with good things, so I look past it.

It is not the smell that us so annoying but the white waxy coating, that is not pleasant to hold and you can barely see the size on the nut drivers.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[roblouvasz]

What about dipping them in some of that "pourable" gloss floor covering? The stuff I've seen on display in my local mill looked pretty durable.

 

[6PTsocket]

I just found an old pair of dikes that had that yellow **** on the handles, smelled funny and was a bit slippery feeling. Cut it off with a razor knife and now they are just like new.

I was not aware there was soft version, like vinyl. I have only seen it on screw and nut drivers. Cutting off the handles is not a good option.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

I'll buy all your stinky pre-Apex Xcelite tools in good condition.

That is why I am looking for a fix. They are in otherwise good condition and when you scrub the crud off, they look fine, until it happens again.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

Think the handles plastic material is outgassing so the 'frosty' coating perhaps including bubbles, cracking, hazing will still appear, how well the extra poly layers sticks and wears down with use. who knows. Like hands of time , you cant stop da funk.

There is no cracking crazing, bubbling or anything of the sort. Scrub it off and there is nice shiny plastic under there. It may be out gassing and that is why I hesitated to paint them.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

I use 3m rubbing compound followed by wax like turtle wax and then light coating of oil "Lucas oil tool box buddy" for a deep shine restores ugly discolored handles and helps the smell as the wax smells good but not sure how long it lasts. Just bought an old craftsman BE Amber handle ratchet for 30 bucks on flea bay score! But man does it stink I'm scared to mess with this one but used Lucas oil metal polish on the metal and can see my face of the chrome just used an old t shirt I've left the handle alone. Even the older snap on soft grip screwdrivers stink bad after heavy use either that or they are like a sponge to the other screwdrivers stank...#scratch head

That white junk on the surface of the amber handle will scrub off. On a recommendation, I used a soak in baking soda solution followed by a stiff brushing. It is a little stubborn but I got it all off. It is pretty low risk if the plastic is in usable condition.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

Soak them in Ballistol and water for about 30 minutes, remove and wipe dry. Did a test on my NOS set of VACO nutdrivers that had the "stink" really bad. Upon opening the box several weeks later the odor had not returned.

The Ballistol is a gun oil that is used to neutralize the acidic residue in corrosive ammunition so it doesn't corrode the barrel. Figured it could neutralize the acidic byproducts of the handle decomposition and eliminate the odor. So far, so good.

http://ballistol.com/uses/other-uses/

Vaco, I haven't heard that name in a long time. Did you just have the odor or the white waxy coating too? From what I gather putting them in an enclosed space, the tool box drawer, encourages the problem and it takes some time for it to come back after cleaning.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

I plasti-dipped a bunch of mine not for the smell but it was nut drivers that were hard to identify when in a tool bag. I did a very through cleaning with DN alcohol then warmed them up in the oven to outgas them (leaving them in the sun in a clean plastic container would probably work as well) then a coat of plastic primer, then 2 coats of the dunk style plasti dip. They obviously no longer look like the original drivers and you can't read the name brand but that wasn't my concern. And you can get clear plasti dip. They have been holding up great for 2 years.

Brian

Thanks, at last somebody who actually tried something. Priming would sort of defeat the point of a clear coat. You could still not see the size on the nut drivers. Can I skip the primer?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Brian_WK]

Thanks, at last somebody who actually tried something. Priming would sort of defeat the point of a clear coat. You could still not see the size on the nut drivers. Can I skip the primer?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

They have clear plastic adhesion promotors here I knew I was coating them in something besides clear so it didn't matter to me. Standard nut driver sizes are color cordinated. Red 1/4 yellow 5/16 blue 3/8 etc so I coated them accordingly.

Brian