Restoring Vintage Panniers a Word of Caution

[Speedtwin]

I was reading a post recently regarding restoring a set of old craven black gloss finish bakelite panniers.
Please remember folks that asbestos was a common ingredient in this lovely product.

So if you plan to sand,drill cut or grind, pre-finish, best to get someone your not to fussed on to carry out the invasive works.


Al

 

[Michael Vane-Hunt]

I thought Craven panniers were fiberglass. Probably still have asbestos in them though.

 

[Speedtwin]

Some of the older panniers are indeed bakelite, have a set myself and they contain asbestos.

 

[vibrac]

I worked for years in a factory making HV switchgear. bakelite was everywhere being machined and molded and it was as I understand it a compound of phenol and formaldehyde. a very big press would be required to make a pannier half.
There is no asbestos in bakelite it is still widely used today. what and how and what Craven made their panniers of is another matter.

 

[Speedtwin]

Asbestos is found in many bakelite products some weird and wonderful we have lab tested and found it in toilet seats,door knobs,pannier panels, sink bong pads,telephones, vinyl floor tiles ,toilet cisterns fantastic product the fibres are used to reinforce the bakelite compound.