A quick note of explanation for anyone scratching their head.
GE developed several synthetic plastics in the late 40s. Previously made from molded woodpulp fiber, wood,, cast aluminum or steel, when the time came to outfit the Roll-Easy and Swiveltops with tools they used their own, more expensive infinitely colorable plastic compound called CYCOLAC. They licensed another of their plastics Lexan (early) to other vacuum manufacturers. Back then Lexan was a somewhat flexible polycarbonate plastic (think PVC) and cheaper to produce. The addition of certain vinyls or synthetic rubbers (neoprene)to the mix made for the across-the-board tools we know today. Now we know Lexan as a very hard tough clear, tinted or opaque coloured plastic used in automobile head and tail light lenses and vacuum body shells. Very tough but it does sometimes shatter under stress and scratches rather easily.
Monsanto and Dupont were developing their own postwar plastics such as nylon...the list of proprietary names goes on for pages as the different properties were discovered.
But to get back to CYCOLAC...GE tools molded from this have a unique smell and feel, almost a dry slippery surface without an oily feel. They are difficult to scratch or scuff unless practicably done on purpose.
Over time CYCOLAC develops a white crusty powdery mold on its surfaces and in the crevices. This is not something you will see on any other manufacturer's tools. You can chip it away easily (like tartar from teeth or latex & enamel paint spot splatters on vacuums) with toothpicks, doing no damage to the surface sheen as though it had never been there but it does eventually return. To prevent this, after cleaning you wipe the tool down with bleach, use a brush to get in those cleaned crevices - it will not harm or discolor the plastic - and this seems to stop the mold in it's tracks.
I believe credit goes to Miss Tanya in Wisconsin for discovering this technique and I may not have explained it in full detail but I know it works. Use the bleach and the mold stops. Don't use the bleach and the white powder will return in short order.
Dave
The pink tools below were almost completely frosted over with the encrustation. the gray flipover tool has a bit and has not been treated yet.
