Freshening up a DHBP

[Dylan Rhodes]

Hey everyone,

I bought a lower value gun to dip my toe into the restoration waters. Forecasting the journey ahead, I have a decent idea of what needs done and how to do it, time will tell how good I am at it. Anyways, the DHBP has me stumped, it’s turned to brown almost, presumably from 100 plus years of UV exposure and breakdown of plasticizeers/etc. is there a way to get these back to black, or am I better off sourcing a replacement? Of course, that would require its own fitting adventure.

Thank you,

[Pa SxS]

Black liquid shoe polish

[Tennessee Dave]

I didn't realize that they all started out black, I like the lighter colored brown.

[Bill Murphy]

When I have tried to bend a buttplate in hot or boiling water, they have turned brown.

[Harry Sanders]

I found that the pumice loaded orange hand cleaner did a c
Nice job of cutting the oxidation without removing too much plate.

[Bill Murphy]

Thanks, Harry, I never would have thought of that.

[Dylan Rhodes]

Black liquid shoe polish did the trick, but don’t get one with s sponge applicator unless you like lots of dried bubbles for added texture….


After removing my first layer and getting a brush applicator its good as new.

You live and you learn.

[B. Dudley]

It is the nature of old bakelite.

[Mike of the Mountain]

And the shoe polish doesn't rub off onto your shirt/vest/coat?

[Dylan Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Mike Koneski

And the shoe polish doesn't rub off onto your shirt/vest/coat?

No. It hardens into an almost rubbery feeling texture. I can scratch it off with my fingernail but it’s not easy going. I’ve had no rubbing off issues.