Predicta Plastic CRT cover

[Fant]

I have a table top Philco Predicta with the CRT mounted on top. The plastic CRT housing is frosted, molded, and milldewed. What would be a good way to restore and clean it?

[rob Cashin]

if its pitted, you probably wont be able to get rid of that, but i found that windex with a small buffer makes excellent results, but the vinegar kind not with ammonia. after its cleaned buff it out with turtle wax and it should shine like the sun.

[bandersen]

It's not mold or mildew. It's the Tenite plastic breaking down. Try some Novus #2 plastic polish.

[ISawItOnTV]

I wet sanded mine using 600grit-to-3000grit sandpaper (600>800>1K>1.5K>2K>3K). Started out with mineral spirits wet sanding, and last stages with warm water. Couldn't find Novus locally, so I used Meguiar's plastic cleaner and plastic polish (found at auto stores).

[rld-tv01]

After looking around, I finally found out that harley davidson stores sell Novus. I got mine there.

[Phil Nelson]

For any polishing job, I try the milder solution first, and resort to coarser materials only if necessary.

If Novus alone will work, that will save you a lot of time over sanding it down and then gradually smoothing it back out. I'd polish a small test area with Novus and see where that gets you.

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html

[Fant]

I found a good price and supplier on EBAY for Novus.

[Fant]

The Novus worked good. I would like to clean the inside of plastic and the CRT glass. When I remove the gold band will the CRT try to fall out? Is the CRT mounted or just floating inside the case?

[kramden66]

the crt is mounted inside so if you remove the mask the crt will stay in place.

mike