How to remove mold and mildew from a plastic camera body

[Sirius Glass]

How should I remove mold and mildew from a plastic camera body? I have a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye camera with mold and mildew on the plastic [Bakelite]. I read the following threads:

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But those are devoted to cameras that smell, cleaning and restoring leather, or cleaning lenses. In this case the lens is clean and the mold and mildew are on the outside of the camera body.

http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-bakelite/ and http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Bakelite suggest liquid metal polish. Is this safe?


I can put it in sun light every day.
What solvents can be safely used?

 

[Mike Wilde]

Try using these with the aid of q-tip's for applicators ( disposable cotton buds wound on the end of a short piece of small dowel if q-tip is a new trade name to you)

Start with mildly dilute household bleach, to kill the mold.
Then a cool water rinse.
Then a try with hot water with some household dishwashing detergent added.

Let us know how that works.

I would start on the outside, away from the lens as an area to test your technique.

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

If I am not wrong , liquid metal polish is a solution with borax particles. Its safe for you and I think principle is to remove thin layer of bakelite.
Bakelite is very expensive today if you want to buy for example antique art deco radio or eyeglasses frame. If it looks like flamed , it indicates cotton inside. Highly flammable also. But metal polish can cause to lost its luster and may be best way is to use a 1000 -1200 grade polishing paper , it even shines your fingernails.

I will search web for you and return to you. By the way , bakelite and for cheaper smoking pipes , acrylic is the main material for smoking pipes stems. If I am not wrong , there are 3 manufacturers sell that stuff in the world. I will ask them. Buy the way , you can ask to British Museum Antiques Restoration Department. They answer to each mail in week time.
Dont rush , wait their reply.

Umut

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

You can contact the Department of Conservation and Scientific Research:
Do not forget to add photographs.

by email:

conservation@britishmuseum.org
science@britishmuseum.org

by telephone:

+44 (0)20 7323 8279
fax: +44 (0)20 7323 8636

by post:

Department of Conservation and Scientific Research
The British Museum
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG

 

[Greg Heath]

How about letting it soak in Vinegar...or diluted vinegar.

Vinegar will strip corrosion off of Aluminum.