Why do old tool handles turn white?

[ckadams00]

These are two 50's ish craftsman side cuts - I wipe em off and hang them and within a month or two they are covered in white powdery coating again. Assuming it has something to do with the plastic handles - I'm sure lots on here have seen this but wondering what causes it?

 

[rlitman]

I bet they smell a bit like vomit too. It is the acetate in the handles breaking down.

 

[kjbenner]

It's "bloom," caused by additives in the cellulose plastic coming out of solution.

 

[ckadams00]

Bummer because they are great old sidecuts

 

[rlitman]

It won't stop them from cutting.
If the look or smell bothers you, you could cut off the plastic and plastidip.
Or use Klein replacement handles (will have to modify to fit).
Or use lengths of fuel hose forced on (looks better than it sounds actually).

 

[kjbenner]

You can cut the old handles off and either use with bare steel handles, or try plasti-dip. Klein also sells replacement plier handles that you can slip on, those might fit.

Do you have full pics of the pliers to share?