Getting paint off Bakelite - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

m_rawdin · 16th Aug 2018, 12:42 pm

Is there something Bakelite friendly that you can use to remove paint? I was thinking of using nail polish remover, would this do any damage to Bakelite?

Station X · 16th Aug 2018, 12:56 pm

Mark 1 finger nail or old credit card. A "plastic" wire pan scrubber if you're careful.

TonyDuell · 16th Aug 2018, 4:49 pm

A tip I was given (and which I have successfully used to remove paint from telephone parts) is to soak them overnight in a strong solution of biological washing powder (must be the 'bio' type). The paint is then a lot easier to rub off.

As far as I know this does not harm bakelite.

ThePillenwerfer · 16th Aug 2018, 5:42 pm

I use paint stripper. Of the various brands I've used over the years none have done any harm, in fact the Bakelite usually looks very good indeed afterwards.

stevehertz · 16th Aug 2018, 5:56 pm

Bakelite is pretty tough stuff, most cleaning solutions will not harm it. If the paint displays a propensity towards flaking, ie the surface was not degreased properly before the paint was applied, then flaking it off or scraping it off bit by bit with something that will not scratch the bakelite would be my favoured method. Otherwise use paint stripper.

The Philpott · 16th Aug 2018, 7:19 pm

Fingernails harden up to a more useful level for this job if you've just done a messy job like an oil change.

itsgrumit · 16th Aug 2018, 7:28 pm

i often remove paint from early plastic and use caustic soda,do not use on aluninium

russell_w_b · 17th Aug 2018, 2:22 pm

I've used Nitromors on a Bakelite Bellset (No:26) to good effect, followed by a good waxing-up with furniture beeswax. Greygate polish is probably best as a finish but I didn't have any.

The bellset had several layers of paint on it.

m_rawdin · 19th Aug 2018, 9:40 pm

Thanks for all your help, sounds like nail polisher remover wouldn't do much damage.

16th Aug 2018, 12:42 pm	#1
m_rawdin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 24	Getting paint off Bakelite Is there something Bakelite friendly that you can use to remove paint? I was thinking of using nail polish remover, would this do any damage to Bakelite?

16th Aug 2018, 12:56 pm	#2
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: Getting paint off bakelite Mark 1 finger nail or old credit card. A "plastic" wire pan scrubber if you're careful. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

16th Aug 2018, 4:49 pm	#3
TonyDuell Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK. Posts: 5,208	Re: Getting paint off bakelite A tip I was given (and which I have successfully used to remove paint from telephone parts) is to soak them overnight in a strong solution of biological washing powder (must be the 'bio' type). The paint is then a lot easier to rub off. As far as I know this does not harm bakelite.

16th Aug 2018, 5:42 pm	#4
ThePillenwerfer Octode Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,453	Re: Getting paint off bakelite I use paint stripper. Of the various brands I've used over the years none have done any harm, in fact the Bakelite usually looks very good indeed afterwards. __________________ "Experts are only good at one thing: explaining why something will not work!"

16th Aug 2018, 5:56 pm	#5
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,831	Re: Getting paint off bakelite Bakelite is pretty tough stuff, most cleaning solutions will not harm it. If the paint displays a propensity towards flaking, ie the surface was not degreased properly before the paint was applied, then flaking it off or scraping it off bit by bit with something that will not scratch the bakelite would be my favoured method. Otherwise use paint stripper. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

16th Aug 2018, 7:19 pm	#6
The Philpott Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,106	Re: Getting paint off bakelite Fingernails harden up to a more useful level for this job if you've just done a messy job like an oil change.

16th Aug 2018, 7:28 pm	#7
itsgrumit Retired Dormant Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Chichester, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 5	Re: Getting paint off bakelite i often remove paint from early plastic and use caustic soda,do not use on aluninium

17th Aug 2018, 2:22 pm	#8
russell_w_b Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Penrith, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 3,687	Re: Getting paint off Bakelite I've used Nitromors on a Bakelite Bellset (No:26) to good effect, followed by a good waxing-up with furniture beeswax. Greygate polish is probably best as a finish but I didn't have any. The bellset had several layers of paint on it. __________________ Regds, Russell W. B. G4YLI.

19th Aug 2018, 9:40 pm	#9
m_rawdin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 24	Re: Getting paint off Bakelite Thanks for all your help, sounds like nail polisher remover wouldn't do much damage.