posted on June 10, 2006 10:18:55 PM new
I have this nice big and heavy celluloid hand mirror, beveled glass. Needs cleaning--but how, without hurting the material?
posted on June 10, 2006 10:43:02 PM new
I would try a mild soap and water solution. Use Ivory, or some other soap that was in existence when it was manufactured. Do not, under any circumstances, use any of the modern cleaners that are on the market unless you know from personal experience they will work. Celluoid can be very sensitive and touchy and was never designed to tolerate some of the chemicals that are in these cleaners today. In fact, it's possible to get a very undesirable chemical reaction when certain substances come in contact with celluloid.
If Murphy's law is correct, everything East of the San Andreas Fault will slide into the Atlantic
posted on June 10, 2006 10:44:17 PM new
That's what I use on the one I have from my grandma. I have always used rubbing alcohol on the glass beveled mirror and have never had a problems. I have had it since I was a teenager
posted on June 11, 2006 02:53:26 AM new
You also do not want to soak it. Celluloid is just porous enough to absorb moisture and cause possible discoloration. Not to mention what can happen to the mirror if it gets moisture trapped behind it.
