Bush AC91 - Bakelite deep scratches - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

DonaldStott · 27th May 2017, 9:50 pm

Someone in their infinite wisdom decided to inscribe the Bakelite case of this Bush AC91 - see pictures below.

What's the best way to deal with these as the Bakelite has a "tortoise shell" effect, so filling, sanding and a respray isn't really an option.

Lloyd 1985 · 27th May 2017, 10:28 pm

One thing I would try with that is to clean it With IPA and a toothbrush, let it dry, the carefully fill it with good quality superglue (not the cheap 5 tubes on a bit of card from a pound shop type, Loctite is good) start at one end of the scratch and work along so you don't get air under it, once filled leave to dry for a few days to a week for deep scratches, then sand it flat with very fine wet and dry sandpaper (600 grit minimum, 1000 or 1200 best) then polish with greygate paste polish no.5 until the shine is restored. The superglue should polish up the same as the surrounding Bakelite, maybe a bit shinier.

I've been using these methods on cracked Bakelite cabinets for a good few years now, and it always comes up good. The idea is that the glue sets crystal clear, so if the underlying Bakelite is clean, the glue will appear the same colour as the Bakelite. The surface will be nice and smooth.

Regards,
Lloyd

DonaldStott · 27th May 2017, 10:44 pm

Thanks Lloyd for the very detailed step by step instructions - need to find a bit of Bakelite to practice on!

Although I have extensive experience of using wet & dry and No. 5 paste I've never used these on "tortoise shell" effect Bakelite.

JacKam_ · 27th May 2017, 10:52 pm

All depends how deep the scratches are. Good idea is to add some bakelite powder to the glue. What we observe is a combination of refraction, reflection, absorbtion and scattering of light.

Lloyd 1985 · 27th May 2017, 11:47 pm

If anything, the tortoise shell, or walnut effect Bakelite is easier to hide repairs, as it's already got uneven colour, which will work in your favour! I've done repairs on walnut, black, green and white cabinets, white is by far the hardest to repair invisibly!

I have experimented with using ground up Bakelite to add to glue for colour, but for something as small as this I wouldn't bother.

Regards,
Lloyd

BASSMAN · 28th May 2017, 9:32 am

I found mixing some old brown shoe polish (Kiwi brand I think) with the superglue allowed you to vary the colour depending on the shade you need. Good idea to practice on a spare piece of bakelite, or a hidden part of the inner case first though.

27th May 2017, 9:50 pm	#1
DonaldStott Octode Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Glasgow, UK. Posts: 1,842	Bush AC91 - Bakelite deep scratches Someone in their infinite wisdom decided to inscribe the Bakelite case of this Bush AC91 - see pictures below. What's the best way to deal with these as the Bakelite has a "tortoise shell" effect, so filling, sanding and a respray isn't really an option. Attached Thumbnails __________________ BVWS Member

27th May 2017, 10:28 pm	#2
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,817	Re: Bush AC91 - Bakelite deep scratches One thing I would try with that is to clean it With IPA and a toothbrush, let it dry, the carefully fill it with good quality superglue (not the cheap 5 tubes on a bit of card from a pound shop type, Loctite is good) start at one end of the scratch and work along so you don't get air under it, once filled leave to dry for a few days to a week for deep scratches, then sand it flat with very fine wet and dry sandpaper (600 grit minimum, 1000 or 1200 best) then polish with greygate paste polish no.5 until the shine is restored. The superglue should polish up the same as the surrounding Bakelite, maybe a bit shinier. I've been using these methods on cracked Bakelite cabinets for a good few years now, and it always comes up good. The idea is that the glue sets crystal clear, so if the underlying Bakelite is clean, the glue will appear the same colour as the Bakelite. The surface will be nice and smooth. Regards, Lloyd

27th May 2017, 10:44 pm	#3
DonaldStott Octode Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Glasgow, UK. Posts: 1,842	Re: Bush AC91 - Bakelite deep scratches Thanks Lloyd for the very detailed step by step instructions - need to find a bit of Bakelite to practice on! Although I have extensive experience of using wet & dry and No. 5 paste I've never used these on "tortoise shell" effect Bakelite. __________________ BVWS Member

27th May 2017, 10:52 pm	#4
JacKam_ Pentode Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Newbury, Berkshire, UK. Posts: 243	Re: Bush AC91 - Bakelite deep scratches All depends how deep the scratches are. Good idea is to add some bakelite powder to the glue. What we observe is a combination of refraction, reflection, absorbtion and scattering of light.

27th May 2017, 11:47 pm	#5
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,817	Re: Bush AC91 - Bakelite deep scratches If anything, the tortoise shell, or walnut effect Bakelite is easier to hide repairs, as it's already got uneven colour, which will work in your favour! I've done repairs on walnut, black, green and white cabinets, white is by far the hardest to repair invisibly! I have experimented with using ground up Bakelite to add to glue for colour, but for something as small as this I wouldn't bother. Regards, Lloyd

28th May 2017, 9:32 am	#6
BASSMAN Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 35	Re: Bush AC91 - Bakelite deep scratches I found mixing some old brown shoe polish (Kiwi brand I think) with the superglue allowed you to vary the colour depending on the shade you need. Good idea to practice on a spare piece of bakelite, or a hidden part of the inner case first though.