Dull Bakelite. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

phasedout · 8th Nov 2012, 3:17 pm

Hi, has anyone a remedy for dull bakelite? I have a Philips Radio Model 170A, on which I have used "Greygates polishing compound" to little effect, it's a lovely working radio that deserves a good shine.

Your help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Alan.

threeseven · 8th Nov 2012, 5:52 pm

Has it ever been stored in damp conditions ?

phasedout · 8th Nov 2012, 7:25 pm

Hi,

The building it came from is dry. I bought it from a chap near me, he has a vast amount of radios stored in it. It could be cold over the winter months or it could have been exposed to cold/damp air. The bakelite has a bloom, no bumps.

Alan

emeritus · 8th Nov 2012, 7:29 pm

A work colleague used brown shoe polish on his DAC90 to good effect.

phasedout · 8th Nov 2012, 7:48 pm

Hi,

I will try the brown shoe polish, thanks.

Alan.

David Simpson · 8th Nov 2012, 9:06 pm

Alan, try FARECLA G6 Rapid Grade Paste Compound for a decent finish, then G10 for a lovely shine.

It can be obtained from any reputable Auto-Body shop. It's not cheap, about £16 for a 400g large toothpaste type container. Prahaps (perhaps) you ken (know) someone in the auto painting trade who can scrounge some for you.

I've used Farecla on Bakelite, Paxolin and Ebonite, and have obtained great results. Wipe off surface grime with thinners, then apply. It is water based and drys (dries) very quickly.

Don't use anything that is oil-based on Bakelite or Ebonite.

Regards,
David

HamishBoxer · 8th Nov 2012, 9:21 pm

Bake-o-Bryte from Chas E Miller (Radiophile) or known as (Paste Polishing No 5).

Sean Williams · 8th Nov 2012, 10:42 pm

Bake-o-Bryte is the same as the Greygates stuff - can't beat automotive products - better than all this other muck that is "designed for Bakelite".

I've tried Bake o Bryte, it has a nasty habit of leaving a residue that is almost impossible to remove when dry.

Autoglym resin polish is good stuff, but you do need to get the cabinet up to a decent shine first - standard rubbing compound works well - Farecla as mentioned earlier is available in Halfords, but the Simoniz stuff is almost as good, and half the price.

A good polishing mop really helps.

phasedout · 9th Nov 2012, 2:49 pm

Thanks Hamish, David and Sean, for some brilliant tips, the Autoglym seems quite a good idea.

Alan.

davidgem1406 · 9th Nov 2012, 4:34 pm

I always use T-cut original, does an excellent job with a good shine. Cleans away all the dirt and muck.

Dave

phasedout · 9th Nov 2012, 6:52 pm

Hi, Dave never thought of T Cut, goodness it ought to shine after all this...thanks...regards....Alan.

9th Nov 2012, 6:55 pm

Not forgetting the elbow grease, Halfords still don't stock it.

phasedout · 11th Nov 2012, 3:42 pm

Hi, just to let you know the T Cut, has gone through the bloom and a shine is appearing, if you knock on the back door of Halfords. You can get Elbow Grease, thank you for all your kind replies.

Regards,
Alan.

11th Nov 2012, 4:49 pm

I will get a pot (tub, tube or whatever it's sold in these days) of black T-cut and try it on my A22, it's fairly shiney but not a full gloss. I think the coloured ones have dye in them to hide white bits.

8th Nov 2012, 3:17 pm	#1
phasedout Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 207	Dull Bakelite. Hi, has anyone a remedy for dull bakelite? I have a Philips Radio Model 170A, on which I have used "Greygates polishing compound" to little effect, it's a lovely working radio that deserves a good shine. Your help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Alan.

8th Nov 2012, 5:52 pm	#2
threeseven Octode Join Date: May 2010 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 1,880	Re: Dull Bakelite. Has it ever been stored in damp conditions ?

8th Nov 2012, 7:25 pm	#3
phasedout Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 207	Re: Dull Bakelite. Hi, The building it came from is dry. I bought it from a chap near me, he has a vast amount of radios stored in it. It could be cold over the winter months or it could have been exposed to cold/damp air. The bakelite has a bloom, no bumps. Alan

8th Nov 2012, 7:29 pm	#4
emeritus Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 5,339	Re: Dull Bakelite. A work colleague used brown shoe polish on his DAC90 to good effect.

8th Nov 2012, 7:48 pm	#5
phasedout Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 207	Re: Dull Bakelite. Hi, I will try the brown shoe polish, thanks. Alan.

8th Nov 2012, 9:06 pm	#6
David Simpson Nonode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aberdeen, UK. Posts: 2,853	Re: Dull Bakelite. Alan, try FARECLA G6 Rapid Grade Paste Compound for a decent finish, then G10 for a lovely shine. It can be obtained from any reputable Auto-Body shop. It's not cheap, about £16 for a 400g large toothpaste type container. Prahaps (perhaps) you ken (know) someone in the auto painting trade who can scrounge some for you. I've used Farecla on Bakelite, Paxolin and Ebonite, and have obtained great results. Wipe off surface grime with thinners, then apply. It is water based and drys (dries) very quickly. Don't use anything that is oil-based on Bakelite or Ebonite. Regards, David

8th Nov 2012, 9:21 pm	#7
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,932	Re: Dull Bakelite. Bake-o-Bryte from Chas E Miller (Radiophile) or known as (Paste Polishing No 5). __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

8th Nov 2012, 10:42 pm	#8
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	Re: Dull Bakelite. Bake-o-Bryte is the same as the Greygates stuff - can't beat automotive products - better than all this other muck that is "designed for Bakelite". I've tried Bake o Bryte, it has a nasty habit of leaving a residue that is almost impossible to remove when dry. Autoglym resin polish is good stuff, but you do need to get the cabinet up to a decent shine first - standard rubbing compound works well - Farecla as mentioned earlier is available in Halfords, but the Simoniz stuff is almost as good, and half the price. A good polishing mop really helps. __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

9th Nov 2012, 2:49 pm	#9
phasedout Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 207	Re: Dull Bakelite. Thanks Hamish, David and Sean, for some brilliant tips, the Autoglym seems quite a good idea. Alan.

9th Nov 2012, 4:34 pm	#10
davidgem1406 Heptode Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sheerness, Kent, UK. Posts: 936	Re: Dull Bakelite. I always use T-cut original, does an excellent job with a good shine. Cleans away all the dirt and muck. Dave

9th Nov 2012, 6:52 pm	#11
phasedout Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 207	Re: Dull Bakelite. Hi, Dave never thought of T Cut, goodness it ought to shine after all this...thanks...regards....Alan.

9th Nov 2012, 6:55 pm	#12
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Dull Bakelite. Not forgetting the elbow grease, Halfords still don't stock it.

11th Nov 2012, 3:42 pm	#13
phasedout Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 207	Re: Dull Bakelite. Hi, just to let you know the T Cut, has gone through the bloom and a shine is appearing, if you knock on the back door of Halfords. You can get Elbow Grease, thank you for all your kind replies. Regards, Alan.

11th Nov 2012, 4:49 pm	#14
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Dull Bakelite. I will get a pot (tub, tube or whatever it's sold in these days) of black T-cut and try it on my A22, it's fairly shiney but not a full gloss. I think the coloured ones have dye in them to hide white bits.