Fixing Broken Bakelite...

[Sandy G]

Got in a 1950 RCA "Bullhorn"-I think it's a 9-X-571- Anyway, it showed up w/the bakelite case cracked, a triangular piece broken out of it. The guy was very nice about it, offered to give me a full refund, but I told him I'd rather keep it. Anyone of this august group know if there's any way to glue bakelite back together ? Surely ONE of these modern, super-duper adhesives would suffice, & if I did a good job, you'd never know it had "problems".

[glen65]

Actually I’ve found that most modern adhesives
don’t work too well on bakelite. I’ve had success
with two part epoxy. I just used JB weld on one recently
and it worked good. The only drawback was the color
of the epoxy (its grey). Before you glue the bakelite
together make sure you know exactly how you want
to clamp it together first.

[OvenMaster]

http://www.thg.org.uk/info/plastics.htm
"Small cracks and chips in the bakelite can be filled with soft furniture restoration wax, boot polish (my favourite) or car body fillers (cellulose paste or fibreglass resin types - you can buy these which are already tinted black, intended for filling cracks in black plastic car bumpers). Clean breaks can be joined with Superglue (cyanoacrylate) or Araldite (epoxy resin), though care is needed to prevent smears of glue showing. These techniques work. I know they do and they work very well. "

Good luck, Sandy.

Tom

[kcollins4]

How 'bout a pic, Sandy? I'd love to see your new aquisition.

[luvvinvinyl]

Sandy, I use a two-part epoxy in clubbuilding, and it cures black. Would that be of use to you?

[ozmoid]

Call weld-on and ask their customer service? At least worth a shot.

[avionic]

Originally Posted by glen65

Actually I’ve found that most modern adhesives
don’t work too well on bakelite. I’ve had success
with two part epoxy. I just used JB weld on one recently
and it worked good. The only drawback was the color
of the epoxy (its grey). Before you glue the bakelite
together make sure you know exactly how you want
to clamp it together first.

Walmart has a clear curing /setting two-part epoxy.

[Avocado Dream]

Here's a link to a guy that fixes bakelite, some using info on his techniques are buried in the site.

http://www.theoldradiofixerupperguy.com/

[funken]

Hi Sandy!
I just finished watching Antique Radio Restoration vol. 3.
In this 2 set DVD Bret Menssa(sp) covers everthing regarding restoring old radios.

Because I just purchased a Motorla bakelite I wanted to find out how to bring back the luster on this set. He also covers how to repair cracks and even making bakelite by grinding down a junk set, saving the powder, mixing in an epoxy, making a mold and finishing the set.

I think even the vet collector would enjoy watching.

No finacial intrest
Funken

http://www.bretsoldradios.com/

[glen65]

Originally Posted by Avocado Dream

Here's a link to a guy that fixes bakelite, some using info on his techniques are buried in the site.

http://www.theoldradiofixerupperguy.com/

He says that he dips the case in a water based solution
to strip it. I just wonder exactly what it is (or what brand)
he's using?

[funken]

I'm guessing his bakelite was a painted model.
Some units came in brown, black or a painted cream white over the bakelite.

This guy was probably stripping his radios factory paint back to bakelite
using a furniture type stripper.

Just my 2 cents
Funken

[Sandy G]

Well, I got in today ANOTHER "Bullhorn"-only this one ain't got a broken case. it'll look real spiffy when I get thru polishing it up. Its only an AA5, drifts like hell, but works surprisingly well to have been born back in the Truman administration-1950 or thereabouts. I paid too much for it, but, it's like, when has THAT ever stopped me ?!? Or 2/3 of the rest of y'all ? (grin)...