T-cut recipe change - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

beery · 27th Nov 2020, 2:17 am

Hi all,
I often use T-cut for cleaning and polishing metal, glass and Bakelite.
I recently bought some more of the same or so I thought.

What I actually got was the new "Rapid" formula. This has replaced the traditional formula in the shops. Now this change may have happened some time ago as it had been ages since I last bought any.
It has less amonia, less cutting compound and lots of wax. It is much thicker and is white in colour instead of the usual yellow.
Apparently the recipe change is to make it more suitable for modern paint finishes. It does not seem to do much, so I'm assuming the "Rapid" name is supposed to be ironic!
Well it was an unfortunate waste of money.
I've checked the manufacturer's website and they state that the original formula can now be obtained in the old style cans. I have found it for sale online, but you might not be able to buy it at your local motor factors anymore.

Cheers
Andy

Radio Wrangler · 27th Nov 2020, 5:28 am

The wax was always the problem with T-cut. It was the devil to remove if you wanted to cut a paint finish for re-painting. I used to use ICI Belco medium rubbing compound, but you can't get it any longer. What you can get is a range of grades of Farecla cutting compound. Done by hand, it's tediously slow stuff because it's intended to be used with a machine. Number 3 cuts moderately well, 6 is general purpose, and number 10 is needed for getting perspex glittery. On small things like radio bits, machinery is impractical so it's a lot more work than it used to be.

One of the uses of cutting compounds is to remove years of build up of wax or silicone polishes and muck. Ideally you want to remove everything to a clean surface, and only then do you want to apply new, clean wax. If your cutting compound contains wax, then the dirty old stuff you're trying to remove mixes in with the new wax and is kept on the surface. You dilute the dirtyness, but you don't remove it very efficiently.

David

robinshack · 27th Nov 2020, 6:25 am

Car boots, when they are allowed again, can be a good source of older part-used products at a good price.
Rob

wireless_john · 27th Nov 2020, 2:13 pm

That's interesting! I've got most of a large bottle left that I've had for quite a few years. I'll be a bit more economical with it in future!

John

Al (astral highway) · 27th Nov 2020, 7:57 pm

I have an OG bottle.

David, what was the thinking to include the wax in the compound? I know it was supposed to restore ‘colour and lustre in seconds’ but an additional wax was supposed to be applied on top, right ?

poppydog · 27th Nov 2020, 9:18 pm

T cut never used to have wax in it, whoever suggested it did is wrong.

McMurdo · 28th Nov 2020, 12:03 am

Funnily enough I used to use t-cut for Bakelite, but after running out recently (a very old bottle) I bought some new stuff and it simply didn't cut it (no pun intended) on a weather-worn DAC90. It never occurred to me there might be a change in ingredients.

Radio Wrangler · 28th Nov 2020, 4:23 am

Like many materials, modern versions not only have to dodge ingredients verboten by health and safety, they also have to handle lower levels of knowledge in the general population as well as the trend for instant gratification. A paint surface free of any wax polish looks relatively dull and shows up any oily residues. Including a wax stops people seeing it in this state and makes the after-cutting job look better.

But getting a surface fully wax-free is important if you're going to paint it, especially if you want to blend in an area, and are working with period-correct cellulose paint which will slightly dissolve with the thinner in the new coat. Original T-cut used to leave a slight oily film which you didn't get with Belco compound.

David

ColinTheAmpMan1 · 28th Nov 2020, 4:29 pm

I think there is a similar product to T-Cut available in Poundland (when and if they open again). I recall there being a thread on this forum about it, but my memory is a little hazy (my wife has Alzheimer's, is it infectious?)

. I went and bought some of the Poundland stuff and it seemed almost as good as the original T-Cut. Can anyone remember the thread?
Colin.

Bazz4CQJ · 28th Nov 2020, 7:57 pm

The original T-cut was a quite abrasive formulation and it was easy to do damage to car paintwork. Knowledgeable car enthusiast tended to avoid it, suggesting it was typically used by unscrupulous garages, who wanted to make rough cars look good quickly, even if they would look bad again in a couple of months.

The bottle which I have (bought in the 1970's) is occasionally used on anything where a coarse abrasive is appropriate. Apart from that, I have a shelf full of Meguiars' stuff.

B

newlite4 · 28th Nov 2020, 7:58 pm

I am glad that this has come up, I thought it was just me. I bought a 500ml bottle of the stuff in Lidl a year ago and thought "this is harder work than it used to be". I think I will just splash out on another 1litre tin of Brasso, at least it still works, for now.
Neil

Philips210 · 30th Nov 2020, 3:42 pm

Hi.

The Unipart cutting compound I've been using over the years, which was obtained from a motor factors, has been very good. It looks similar to T-Cut but was much cheaper. Maybe check your local motor factors for a suitable alternative.

I've also successfully used metal polishes too such as Autosol, Brasso and Silvo. They all work well with care.

Regards,
Symon

dglcomp · 30th Nov 2020, 5:10 pm

Euro Car Parts do the old style bottles if people were looking for a supplier,
£11.49 for 500ml or £7.09 for 300ml
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/t-cut...00ml-553998610
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/t-cut...00ml-553998600

G6ONEDave · 2nd Dec 2020, 11:19 am

At my last employers paint shop they used something called 'paint rubbing compound G3', don't know whats in it though.
Dave

Nickthedentist · 2nd Dec 2020, 11:36 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinTheAmpMan1

I think there is a similar product to T-Cut available in Poundland (when and if they open again). I recall there being a thread on this forum about it, but my memory is a little hazy (my wife has Alzheimer's, is it infectious?)

. I went and bought some of the Poundland stuff and it seemed almost as good as the original T-Cut. Can anyone remember the thread?
Colin.

Poundland in Didcot is open as normal

But I can't see anything likely on their website.

Heatercathodeshort · 2nd Dec 2020, 12:12 pm

Poundland is open in Horsham probably because it sells food. J.

Radio Wrangler · 2nd Dec 2020, 2:48 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by G6ONEDave

At my last employers paint shop they used something called 'paint rubbing compound G3', don't know whats in it though.
Dave

One of these?.....

The numbers don't seem ordered G6 is the more abrasive (not as fast as the old Belco medium paste, though)

G3 is listed as fine

G10 is very fine

The ratings seem to assume machine application, so they are a lot milder with hand-powered rubbing.

Cost is about £30 for a big bottle, £10 for the smaller ones and about £7 for a big toothpaste tube. All trade and plus VAT.

David

rontech · 6th Dec 2020, 9:12 am

In the days when I rode motorcycles there was a compound called Solvol Autosol ( I think!) . It was pretty abrasive soft smooth paste and would get the blueing off chrome exhaust pipes. Used gently it could be useful for the purposes referred to above.

rontech · 6th Dec 2020, 9:15 am

P.S.

I have just found this link:- https://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/autosol-products

They have a wide range of products, the original is about £4 for a 100ml tube

stevehertz · 6th Dec 2020, 9:18 am

Oh well, together with various ancient tins of my own, I inherited my dad's tins so I have enough to see me out I reckon!

27th Nov 2020, 2:17 am	#1
beery Heptode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ware, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 792	T-cut recipe change Hi all, I often use T-cut for cleaning and polishing metal, glass and Bakelite. I recently bought some more of the same or so I thought. What I actually got was the new "Rapid" formula. This has replaced the traditional formula in the shops. Now this change may have happened some time ago as it had been ages since I last bought any. It has less amonia, less cutting compound and lots of wax. It is much thicker and is white in colour instead of the usual yellow. Apparently the recipe change is to make it more suitable for modern paint finishes. It does not seem to do much, so I'm assuming the "Rapid" name is supposed to be ironic! Well it was an unfortunate waste of money. I've checked the manufacturer's website and they state that the original formula can now be obtained in the old style cans. I have found it for sale online, but you might not be able to buy it at your local motor factors anymore. Cheers Andy __________________ www.youtube.com/user/andyvalve100

27th Nov 2020, 5:28 am	#2
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 16,386	Re: T-cut recipe change The wax was always the problem with T-cut. It was the devil to remove if you wanted to cut a paint finish for re-painting. I used to use ICI Belco medium rubbing compound, but you can't get it any longer. What you can get is a range of grades of Farecla cutting compound. Done by hand, it's tediously slow stuff because it's intended to be used with a machine. Number 3 cuts moderately well, 6 is general purpose, and number 10 is needed for getting perspex glittery. On small things like radio bits, machinery is impractical so it's a lot more work than it used to be. One of the uses of cutting compounds is to remove years of build up of wax or silicone polishes and muck. Ideally you want to remove everything to a clean surface, and only then do you want to apply new, clean wax. If your cutting compound contains wax, then the dirty old stuff you're trying to remove mixes in with the new wax and is kept on the surface. You dilute the dirtyness, but you don't remove it very efficiently. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

27th Nov 2020, 6:25 am	#3
robinshack Octode Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Spalding, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,346	Re: T-cut recipe change Car boots, when they are allowed again, can be a good source of older part-used products at a good price. Rob __________________ I am also interested in and collect 00 model railway.

27th Nov 2020, 2:13 pm	#4
wireless_john Hexode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Gosport, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 450	Re: T-cut recipe change That's interesting! I've got most of a large bottle left that I've had for quite a few years. I'll be a bit more economical with it in future! John __________________ GQRP Club 4704 - BVWS Member

27th Nov 2020, 7:57 pm	#5
Al (astral highway) Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,278	Re: T-cut recipe change I have an OG bottle. David, what was the thinking to include the wax in the compound? I know it was supposed to restore ‘colour and lustre in seconds’ but an additional wax was supposed to be applied on top, right ? __________________ Al "Plans are useless but planning is indespensible..." (Eisenhower).

27th Nov 2020, 9:18 pm	#6
poppydog Heptode Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 792	Re: T-cut recipe change T cut never used to have wax in it, whoever suggested it did is wrong.

28th Nov 2020, 12:03 am	#7
McMurdo Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 4,188	Re: T-cut recipe change Funnily enough I used to use t-cut for Bakelite, but after running out recently (a very old bottle) I bought some new stuff and it simply didn't cut it (no pun intended) on a weather-worn DAC90. It never occurred to me there might be a change in ingredients. __________________ Kevin

28th Nov 2020, 4:23 am	#8
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 16,386	Re: T-cut recipe change Like many materials, modern versions not only have to dodge ingredients verboten by health and safety, they also have to handle lower levels of knowledge in the general population as well as the trend for instant gratification. A paint surface free of any wax polish looks relatively dull and shows up any oily residues. Including a wax stops people seeing it in this state and makes the after-cutting job look better. But getting a surface fully wax-free is important if you're going to paint it, especially if you want to blend in an area, and are working with period-correct cellulose paint which will slightly dissolve with the thinner in the new coat. Original T-cut used to leave a slight oily film which you didn't get with Belco compound. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

28th Nov 2020, 4:29 pm	#9
ColinTheAmpMan1 Octode Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wimbledon, London, UK. Posts: 1,385	Re: T-cut recipe change I think there is a similar product to T-Cut available in Poundland (when and if they open again). I recall there being a thread on this forum about it, but my memory is a little hazy (my wife has Alzheimer's, is it infectious?) . I went and bought some of the Poundland stuff and it seemed almost as good as the original T-Cut. Can anyone remember the thread? Colin.

28th Nov 2020, 7:57 pm	#10
Bazz4CQJ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 3,101	Re: T-cut recipe change The original T-cut was a quite abrasive formulation and it was easy to do damage to car paintwork. Knowledgeable car enthusiast tended to avoid it, suggesting it was typically used by unscrupulous garages, who wanted to make rough cars look good quickly, even if they would look bad again in a couple of months. The bottle which I have (bought in the 1970's) is occasionally used on anything where a coarse abrasive is appropriate. Apart from that, I have a shelf full of Meguiars' stuff. B __________________ Data beats opinions most times... that's my opinion, though I have no data on that.

28th Nov 2020, 7:58 pm	#11
newlite4 Octode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,488	Re: T-cut recipe change I am glad that this has come up, I thought it was just me. I bought a 500ml bottle of the stuff in Lidl a year ago and thought "this is harder work than it used to be". I think I will just splash out on another 1litre tin of Brasso, at least it still works, for now. Neil __________________ preserving the recent past, for the distant future.

30th Nov 2020, 3:42 pm	#12
Philips210 Octode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 1,819	Re: T-cut recipe change Hi. The Unipart cutting compound I've been using over the years, which was obtained from a motor factors, has been very good. It looks similar to T-Cut but was much cheaper. Maybe check your local motor factors for a suitable alternative. I've also successfully used metal polishes too such as Autosol, Brasso and Silvo. They all work well with care. Regards, Symon

30th Nov 2020, 5:10 pm	#13
dglcomp Hexode Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Portland, Dorset, UK. Posts: 480	Re: T-cut recipe change Euro Car Parts do the old style bottles if people were looking for a supplier, £11.49 for 500ml or £7.09 for 300ml https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/t-cut...00ml-553998610 https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/t-cut...00ml-553998600

2nd Dec 2020, 11:19 am	#14
G6ONEDave Hexode Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Owston Ferry, North Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 499	Re: T-cut recipe change At my last employers paint shop they used something called 'paint rubbing compound G3', don't know whats in it though. Dave

2nd Dec 2020, 12:12 pm	#16
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 7,745	Re: T-cut recipe change Poundland is open in Horsham probably because it sells food. J.

6th Dec 2020, 9:12 am	#18
rontech Hexode Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Southport, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 478	Re: T-cut recipe change In the days when I rode motorcycles there was a compound called Solvol Autosol ( I think!) . It was pretty abrasive soft smooth paste and would get the blueing off chrome exhaust pipes. Used gently it could be useful for the purposes referred to above. __________________ Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana

6th Dec 2020, 9:15 am	#19
rontech Hexode Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Southport, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 478	Re: T-cut recipe change P.S. I have just found this link:- https://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/autosol-products They have a wide range of products, the original is about £4 for a 100ml tube __________________ Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana

6th Dec 2020, 9:18 am	#20
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 4,925	Re: T-cut recipe change Oh well, together with various ancient tins of my own, I inherited my dad's tins so I have enough to see me out I reckon! __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..