Hard or Soft plastic

[jeremylivin]

I've been reading a lot and people mention either "hard" or "soft" plastic.

Could someone explain that to me?


Also, what are the different cleaning methods for them?


Thanks!

[Dennis Markham]

Jeremy in a nut-shell, early plastic was called Tenite or what collectors call "soft plastic".  It was used in making the colored plastic phones until about mid 1959 by Western Electric.  Black phones are known to exist in soft plastic into the early 1960's.  Other companies used soft plastic as well but when their dates of manufacture were is not known (to me).  Later plastic is ABS plastic which is referred to as "hard plastic".  Earlier soft plastic due tend to have a higher value.

Rather than get to in depth on this posting, take a few minutes to search the Forum for "soft plastic".  We have had many discussions about the plastic as well as ways to refurbish the different plastic.

One note.  It seems best to search using the search area from the Home Page.  That way you'll be searching all of the boards at the same time.

If you find something that isn't clear, throw it out here and we can talk about it.