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Watch out for that rubbing compound!
I am not a chemist and I don't play one on TV but...
People who purport to know about such things say that bakelite gets it's shine from the outside layer of resin curing against the polished inside of the mold. If the surface wears it loses it's gloss.
If the surface isn't already worn, using rubbing compound to remove the dirt would also risk permanently removing the thin glossy resin surface. Once the resin/sawdust mixture underneath is exposed, nothing will get back that original shine.
Bakelite is a thermosetting plastic. That's why you can't repair it. It's permanently in it's set condition and won't dissolve or melt. I can't see why any nonabrasive cleaner would have much effect on it, however I'll heed the advice of people who say they've had a bad experience with 409 or Windex. Mild dish detergent and water is always a safe bet!
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