Restoring a bakelite case. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Bassette · 3rd Jan 2012, 11:59 am

Split from this thread as off topic:-

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=78030

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Have you any advise to offer regarding restoring a Bakelite case?

How can one bring it back to something like original?

Aerodyne · 3rd Jan 2012, 12:48 pm

Assuming no cracks and no roughness of the surface, Brasso metal polish with revive the shine. Bake-O-Bryte polish (paste, polishing, No. 6 as used on Bakelite telephones is also good but possibly after Brasso). T-Cut car polishing compound works well on really dulled Bakelite.

Personally I always wash cabinets - foam cleanser, hot water with washing-up liquid and a quick dry with a towel and a hair dryer, don't leave Bakelite wet for any length of time. It dries dull ready for polishing. Wax polish is not my favourite as it seems to leave a stickiness on the surfaces.

-Tony
I feel sure others will come forward with their suggestions too.

richrussell · 3rd Jan 2012, 2:43 pm

I found that the coloured T-cut works extremely well on very tired looking Bakelite, but they don't seem to make it in brown any more. If it's a dark brown Bakelite case, then the black one works well without darkening it too much. I did one of my Ferranti clocks with it, and it came up nicely.

These are a fine cutting compound (so take out the scratches making it look dull) combined with a mild degreaser, a wax based polish and a mild dye (which helps even out differences in fading across a car body panel for example).

If it's a nicely patterned Bakelite then I'd be tempted not to use the coloured T-cut, and stick to the plain stuff.

Ultimately it comes down to whatever slightly abrasive compound you like best - Brasso, T-Cut, Paste No. 6 etc., followed by some sort of wax or polish to seal the surface and protect it.

Bassette · 3rd Jan 2012, 3:53 pm

Thank you both for the advice. This will be my first attempt at restoring a valve radio. I chose the case first then move onto the inner parts, those masses of dark corners and coloured bits scare me still of course, but I am determined to overcome the task before me.

Terry

3rd Jan 2012, 11:59 am	#1
Bassette Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Bath Posts: 49	Restoring a bakelite case. Split from this thread as off topic:- https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=78030 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have you any advise to offer regarding restoring a Bakelite case? How can one bring it back to something like original?

3rd Jan 2012, 12:48 pm	#2
Aerodyne Octode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hampton Vale, Peterborough, UK. Posts: 1,698	Re: Restoring a bakelite case. Assuming no cracks and no roughness of the surface, Brasso metal polish with revive the shine. Bake-O-Bryte polish (paste, polishing, No. 6 as used on Bakelite telephones is also good but possibly after Brasso). T-Cut car polishing compound works well on really dulled Bakelite. Personally I always wash cabinets - foam cleanser, hot water with washing-up liquid and a quick dry with a towel and a hair dryer, don't leave Bakelite wet for any length of time. It dries dull ready for polishing. Wax polish is not my favourite as it seems to leave a stickiness on the surfaces. -Tony I feel sure others will come forward with their suggestions too.

3rd Jan 2012, 2:43 pm	#3
richrussell Heptode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 979	Re: Restoring a bakelite case. I found that the coloured T-cut works extremely well on very tired looking Bakelite, but they don't seem to make it in brown any more. If it's a dark brown Bakelite case, then the black one works well without darkening it too much. I did one of my Ferranti clocks with it, and it came up nicely. These are a fine cutting compound (so take out the scratches making it look dull) combined with a mild degreaser, a wax based polish and a mild dye (which helps even out differences in fading across a car body panel for example). If it's a nicely patterned Bakelite then I'd be tempted not to use the coloured T-cut, and stick to the plain stuff. Ultimately it comes down to whatever slightly abrasive compound you like best - Brasso, T-Cut, Paste No. 6 etc., followed by some sort of wax or polish to seal the surface and protect it.

3rd Jan 2012, 3:53 pm	#4
Bassette Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Bath Posts: 49	Re: Restoring a bakelite case. Thank you both for the advice. This will be my first attempt at restoring a valve radio. I chose the case first then move onto the inner parts, those masses of dark corners and coloured bits scare me still of course, but I am determined to overcome the task before me. Terry