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Another Charles!!!
I have a couple of ways that I do it. For bakelite that's just a bit dull but not really scratched or scuffed up, I use white #7 automobile polish, followed by any of the clear plastic polishes sold at auto parts stores. (The ones intended for dull yellow plastic headlights.) Last, I use Pledge. Looks like new!
If there are other problems like paint splatter soaked in, or surface scratches, I use a 2-step sanding process followed by the above. First I sand with #600 wet paper (hose running slowly), then I sand over it again with #2000 wet paper. That takes a lot of patience, but it will work great and it removes all the scratches. DO NOT use coarser paper than #600, and you must buy #2000 for the second sanding. Otherwise, you'll have dull, SANDPAPER-SWIRLED bakelite. #2000 sand paper is only sold at auto body & paint supply stores, or probably your local body shop would let you have a sheet.
NOTE: Bakelite is hydrophilic (soaks up water). So be sure to let it dry thoroughly in the sun after you wet sand, before trying to polish. Also beware not to wash off the tube diagram or other decals inside the case.
Charles
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Collecting & restoring TVs in Los Angeles since age 10
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