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Success Stories If you have successfully repaired or restored a piece of equipment, why not write up what you did and post details here. Particularly if it was interesting, unusual or challenging. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE! |
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28th Sep 2008, 1:47 pm | #1 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Penrith, Cumbria, UK.
Posts: 3,684
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Bakelite: Don't Be Afraid of 'Nitromors...'
I'm sticking this in this section because to me, it's a success story. It would be equally at home in 'Vintage Telephony' or 'Hints, Tips and Solutions'.
I was at the council recycling centre yesterday, and was just dumping an old bike in the skip when I happened to spot, in a temptingly easily-reachable position, a No: 59A bell, covered in about forty years of magnolia emulsion paint but otherwise intact. Safe in the knowledge that EDC don't employ a 'Vintage and Antiques' monitor, I, er, 'swapped' the bell for a couple of old bicycle frames. Anyway, the point of this post is this: With nothing to lose, I doused the case in 'Nitromors', doused and worked it in with a stiff brush again after five minutes, then washed it with more 'Nitromors' after twenty minutes. I then soaked the case in a sinkful of warm, soapy water, removing all the residual goo with a 'Scotchbrite' pad. I was left with a dull, very matte-finish bakelite cover, but completely free of paint. Twice over with 'T-Cut' and lots of elbow-grease, working it in section by section: the 'bow-tie' shape, the remainder of the top, the sides... It came up lovely, but I'd seen shinier. A couple of similar goings-over with 'Autoglym' resin car polish later, the result is as shown in the pic. Don't be afraid of using 'Nitromors' on bakelite. It worked with me. Just a case now of where to mount it! I guess the unit is 1950's, but I take it from the stamp underneath: '59A FWR 65' it was refurbished in 1965. Maybe the Council should employ a 'Collectables and Antiques' officer! - Nice little retirement job...
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28th Sep 2008, 2:05 pm | #2 |
Moderator
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Location: Oxford, UK
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Re: Bakelite: Don't Be Afraid of 'Nitromors...'
I can confirm that bakelite survives Nitromors quite well, at least in my experience.
Paul |
28th Sep 2008, 5:48 pm | #3 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 990
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Re: Bakelite: Don't Be Afraid of 'Nitromors...'
Quote:
Regards |
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28th Sep 2008, 7:58 pm | #4 |
Octode
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Hampton Vale, Peterborough, UK.
Posts: 1,698
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Re: Bakelite: Don't Be Afraid of 'Nitromors...'
I'll endorse what's been said, too. I've used Nitromors and other chemical strippers many times and never yet found and Bakelite damage. Tough stuff, Phenol Formaldehyde.
-Tony |
28th Sep 2008, 9:17 pm | #5 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK.
Posts: 7,457
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Re: Bakelite: Don't Be Afraid of 'Nitromors...'
Strange co-incidence! Only very recently, I had to use same chemical to clean up the case of a Ferranti 146; worked fine.
Al / Skywave |
29th Sep 2008, 1:40 pm | #6 |
Rest in Peace
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Somerset, UK.
Posts: 2,356
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Re: Bakelite: Don't Be Afraid of 'Nitromors...'
I found one of those wired in the bedroom in this house when i moved in . It cleaned up with N and was very shiny . Its now attatched to a pyramid phone and is working . I have my eye on another above the front door of a house being restored along the road !
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29th Sep 2008, 1:54 pm | #7 |
Retired Dormant Member
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Re: Bakelite: Don't Be Afraid of 'Nitromors...'
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29th Sep 2008, 2:00 pm | #8 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Penrith, Cumbria, UK.
Posts: 3,684
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Re: Bakelite: Don't Be Afraid of 'Nitromors...'
Quote:
I really ought to use 'Freecycle'. They might have gone to a better home, but I was feeling ruthless - Grrrrrr! Someone better get back on-topic, quickly!
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Regds, Russell W. B. G4YLI. |
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29th Sep 2008, 2:04 pm | #9 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Re: Bakelite: Don't Be Afraid of 'Nitromors...'
Apologies for veering ot, but I am not to sure just what the No: 59A bell is used for, is it a phone repeater.
Geof |
29th Sep 2008, 2:23 pm | #10 | |
Octode
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Bath, Somerset, UK.
Posts: 1,804
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Re: Bakelite: Don't Be Afraid of 'Nitromors...'
Quote:
Neil
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preserving the recent past, for the distant future. |
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29th Sep 2008, 3:09 pm | #11 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Penrith, Cumbria, UK.
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Re: Bakelite: Don't Be Afraid of 'Nitromors...'
Quote:
Some 'pyramid' telephones contained a bell, but I know the type you mean. I guess by the thick layers of mongolia-coloured paint, the item I successfully cleaned up was mounted on a wall!
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Regds, Russell W. B. G4YLI. |
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29th Sep 2008, 3:46 pm | #12 |
Moderator
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Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK.
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Re: Bakelite: Don't Be Afraid of 'Nitromors...'
OK. We've established that Nitromors is good for removing paint from Bakelite and doesn't harm the material.
Thread closed.
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