Looking for best way to clean and polish Bakelite. - Videokarma.org TV - Video

Chucklbunny · #1 10-07-2007, 10:46 AM

Hi Guys !
I have another question for you all.....what is the best way to clean and polish Bakelite ? I want to polish my Motorola 17T13 to a brilliant luster (it's pretty close to that now) and I want to do it RIGHT ! so I would like to know the best methods for shining bakelite. Above all I do not want to ruin the shine it now has..only make it better.

Thanks !

Charles

fsjonsey · #2 10-07-2007, 12:14 PM

3M imperial hand glaze does wonders on my bakelite radios. Takes the scratches out of ipods too

http://www.3m.com/product/informatio...and-Glaze.html
http://www.autogeek.net/3mimhanglaz.html

Dan Starnes · #3 10-07-2007, 01:36 PM

3M does nicely, or if you want a smaller portion of a comparable product, try McGuires #7 which is available at most auto parts retail stores, usually found with waxes. But in my opinion the 3M Imperial hand glaze works best.
Dan

Chucklbunny · #4 10-07-2007, 05:11 PM

Thanks guys !
Looks like 3M Imperial Hand Glaze is the winner ! Experience proves best on shiny Objects !

Thank You Very Much fsjonsey and Dan Starnes for the tip ! I bow to you both !

Charles

kx250rider · #5 10-08-2007, 11:04 AM

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

Fisherdude · #6 10-08-2007, 11:22 AM

While I've never used it on bakelite, I'm guessing Novus plastic polishes should work well.

Btw, since you used the word "clean", just a warning to all...never use Formula 409 or similar spray cleaners on bakelite. It will permanently dull the finish, and you'll be polishing trying to get the shine back.

Phil Nelson · #7 10-08-2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fisherdude

permanently dull the finish

Another caution: It's also possible to over-polish (or over-sand) the finish so that it can never be retrieved.

The shiny outer layer of Bakelite is quite thin. If you get carried away with sandpaper or other abrasives, you may grind down into the pulpy underlayer which no process or substance will polish.

I have a couple of Bakelite radios whose finish is so worn that they are unpolishable. The only remedy at that stage is to paint the cabinet.

If your finish is almost perfect, perhaps a coat of high-quality wax (like carnauba) would make it shiny enough for your taste. I'm not a big advocate of waxing Bakelite -- these cabinets were not waxed at the factory -- but some people do it all the time. And it's reversible, unlike the results of over-polishing.

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

kx250rider · #8 10-08-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Nelson

Another caution: It's also possible to over-polish (or over-sand) the finish so that it can never be retrieved.

The shiny outer layer of Bakelite is quite thin. If you get carried away with sandpaper or other abrasives, you may grind down into the pulpy underlayer which no process or substance will polish.

I have a couple of Bakelite radios whose finish is so worn that they are unpolishable. The only remedy at that stage is to paint the cabinet.

If your finish is almost perfect, perhaps a coat of high-quality wax (like carnauba) would make it shiny enough for your taste. I'm not a big advocate of waxing Bakelite -- these cabinets were not waxed at the factory -- but some people do it all the time. And it's reversible, unlike the results of over-polishing.

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

I agree about not doing the polish or sanding when the finish is in basically good shape... But if the thin glossy finish is already shot, then the sanding & polishing technique has worked great for me without having to paint. However I will add that others have done the sanding technique but NOT polished, then sprayed a thin coat of clear gloss varathane. That brings a deep high gloss, but slight texture that doesn't look totally original.

Charles

Tube TV · #9 10-09-2007, 12:09 AM

I have been using Mothers brand aluminum polish for mag wheels , for quite some time and have had exellent results with it . Originally I bought it to polish my Airstream trailer them I started polishing everything else . It is really gentle and with very little effort it will restore dull bakelite back to a really nice shine . it is a polish and a wax or sealant in one .
I have also used it on all different kinds of metal , makes IF coil covers look really nice .