Bakelite cleaning - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

radio edgar · 25th Jun 2008, 9:31 pm

Hi everyone
I have just come into proud possession of a bush dc90a
This is my first bakelite project and I am wondering about the cabinet.
It is in brilliant condition no scratches whatsoever but it is a bit dull.
I have looked back in this forum and in 2005 the advice was to use boot polish I was wondering if this is still the case or has a better solution come along.

kind regards
Paul

kalee20 · 25th Jun 2008, 10:12 pm

Hi Paul,

Well, I have cleaned my DAC90a cabinet using tepid water and detergent, and grade 0000 wire wool (lots of rubbing with very little pressure).

Then, after copious rinsing, I used a tin of wax furniture polish, also applied with wire wool, and buffed with a cotton cloth. Doing this twice built up a really good shine.

Can't claim any originality for this technique - I read it on this forum!

radio edgar · 25th Jun 2008, 10:22 pm

hi
it seems as if polish is the way to go then
cheers for that

paul

Sideband · 25th Jun 2008, 10:47 pm

Hi Paul.

This is how I did mine: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=28209

I personaly would not use detergent as it's a bit aggressive. Soapy water (washing up liquid) should be fine to get all the surface grott off.

Rich.

Lloyd 1985 · 25th Jun 2008, 10:56 pm

Hi,
what I normally do is try brasso first, if this brings it up ok I leave it alone, if not then I use polishing paste no.5 and shoe polish! brings things up beautifully, I find that soaps and suchlike make it go very dull looking.
hope this helps!

regards,
Lloyd.

dave walsh · 26th Jun 2008, 12:31 am

There seems to be a number of ideas on this Paul. Bakobryte paste is available via the Radiophile Mag [originally developed for GPO Bakelite phones I believe]. Incidentally, I have a thing about the Sherlock Holmes spelling but don't take it to heart! Dave

PS Might be Bakobrite-not sure!

Mike Phelan · 26th Jun 2008, 8:34 am

I would resist getting Bakelite too wet - it absorbs water quite a bit. A quick sloosh does no harm.

As Dave says, Bake-o-bryte is by far the best thing to polish it with (I had to check the spelling on the tube in my office!) possibly followed by wax polish.

The name originates from Leo Baekeland.

Boom · 26th Jun 2008, 4:21 pm

I use T-Cut which gives a glass like finish especially when polished with a lambs wool buff on a drill. To me I have found nothing better and I personally don't like boot polish as it comes off the cabinet when handled (onto clothes usually). It shouldn't be necessary to put any polish on Bakelite anyway.

I bought some dedicated No 5 Bakelite polish off ebay but to me the T-Cut gave just as good a finish at far less cost.

One thing I do is drop the entire case in boiling water before cutting where possible. This has two effects, one to melt away any wax/boot polish/etc that has been put on it and two it kills the shine totally giving a fresh surafce to work with.

Radio_Dave · 26th Jun 2008, 6:28 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Tilley

One thing I do is drop the entire case in boiling water before cutting where possible. This has two effects, one to melt away any wax/boot polish/etc that has been put on it and two it kills the shine totally giving a fresh surafce to work with.

As Mike said above, water (especially hot) is an enemy of Bakelite. Bakelite contains a porous filler which will absorb water, expand and ruin the surface shine. Once this shine is lost it cannot be replaced

.

There's some really good Bakelite info, maintenance and cleaning advice here

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/freshwater/bakelit1.htm

David

radio edgar · 26th Jun 2008, 6:31 pm

I must be honest I had reservations about using shoe polish for that very reason.
I think I will try and get some bake-o bryte
thanks to everyone for the advice
Regards
Paul

Boom · 26th Jun 2008, 8:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio_Dave

As Mike said above, water (especially hot) is an enemy of Bakelite. Bakelite contains a porous filler which will absorb water, expand and ruin the surface shine. Once this shine is lost it cannot be replaced

.

David

Hmmmmmmm. Interesting. I have heard that (some?) Bakelite MIGHT contain sawdust as a filler which on thinking about would not be too happy about water contact but as to killing the shine so that it can't be replaced, I can only say that this one started off filthy and has had a long boiling hot bath using washing up liquid and then given the T-Cut and buff wheel treatment.

I remain unconvinced that water will hurt Bakelite.

mark pirate · 10th Jul 2008, 9:33 pm

I agree with david, T-cut is the best thing i have used to bring up bakelite,
once done i use a car wax & the results are fantastic

Cheers
Mark

camtechman · 10th Jul 2008, 9:39 pm

Here's the results after using Kiwi Dark Tan Shoe Polish

mark pirate · 10th Jul 2008, 10:05 pm

....And here's the result of t-cut

camtechman · 10th Jul 2008, 10:14 pm

#14,

Don't they look good & worth the effort when they come up like that.

don2233 · 11th Jul 2008, 9:59 am

I use bake o bryte and then clear bri wax furniture polish as it seals the bakelite and protects it and leaves it looking like new

howard · 20th Jul 2008, 4:02 pm

Hello,

I polished my DAC90A with shoe polish and it worked well. It had had a polish previously with SafeCut which is mild TCut so I've actually used both above methods. The polish is called Punch and it's only £1.19 from Robert Dyas and it dries and buffs up quickly and leaves no smears. I think several coats of beeswax does a better job but that takes ages .....

Howard

chipp1968 · 24th Jul 2008, 8:51 am

I see Howard has got the shine right .keeping it can be a problem , though on another thread re Tv22 Parafin and petrol was mentioned

seams to work very well though.
I dont think you have to be too carefull about water ive had many bakalite cabinets in hot water and washing up liquid for a scrub up .they do come out dull but that has to be buffed up . I think the water is a problem when it is prolonged contact with damp etc .
Out of interest I belive most cabinets as we see them today have lost alot of their brightness of grain ,mottling .If you look inside otr undernieth it is more as it would b original .This is very unfortunate and irriversable i assume .I suppose its light damage . 20 years ago when i used to sell vintage radios at Bath fleamarket ,I occationally came across a Dac 90 with a perfect finish . happend about twice . With original shine and the most amazing mottling . I also remember longing after an Ekco M23 when i was about 15 It was priced £50 and was like new .It had a highly mottled cabinet .I have never seen one like that since

Aerodyne · 24th Jul 2008, 9:57 am

My tuppence worth: T-Cut does a good job but like Brasso can leave a yellowy-white residue in awkward corners that is tricky to remove. Bake-O-Bryte is, I believe, the same or very similar to polishing paste No.5 and I've had good results with it and recommend it. I don't care to use boot polish on Bakelite as it comes off all too easily on hands and clothes, as others have already mentioned. The same applies to wax polish, too: surfaces always seem to remain slightly sticky.

Using Bake-O-Bryte leaves a hard glossy finish that doesn't need any further polish. It stays for a long time but buffs up easily.
I'm a little wary of using a buffing wheel, even with a soft mop as heat can be generated especially if you get a little carried away with the process. This can burn the surface and cause the filler to show in a mottled pattern (filler can be wood flour or possibly asbestos fibres). It may even be possible to shatter a cabinet by excessively zealous buffing.
-Tony

chipp1968 · 24th Jul 2008, 1:48 pm

with ref to wax polishing ,To avoid stickness you really need only the smallest amount, and make it go a long way . Its worked for my sets , too much will be impossible to buff away so you may get a shine but it will be a shine on a film of wax , the smallest amount is all thats needed ,clear traditional beaswax polish is best .you can get this in a spray can as well these days .

25th Jun 2008, 10:12 pm	#2
kalee20 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK. Posts: 7,079	Re: bakerlite cleaning Hi Paul, Well, I have cleaned my DAC90a cabinet using tepid water and detergent, and grade 0000 wire wool (lots of rubbing with very little pressure). Then, after copious rinsing, I used a tin of wax furniture polish, also applied with wire wool, and buffed with a cotton cloth. Doing this twice built up a really good shine. Can't claim any originality for this technique - I read it on this forum!

25th Jun 2008, 10:22 pm	#3
radio edgar Pentode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grimsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 133	Re: bakerlite cleaning hi it seems as if polish is the way to go then cheers for that paul

25th Jun 2008, 10:47 pm	#4
Sideband Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 7,567	Re: bakerlite cleaning Hi Paul. This is how I did mine: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=28209 I personaly would not use detergent as it's a bit aggressive. Soapy water (washing up liquid) should be fine to get all the surface grott off. Rich. __________________ There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman.....

25th Jun 2008, 10:56 pm	#5
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,819	Re: bakerlite cleaning Hi, what I normally do is try brasso first, if this brings it up ok I leave it alone, if not then I use polishing paste no.5 and shoe polish! brings things up beautifully, I find that soaps and suchlike make it go very dull looking. hope this helps! regards, Lloyd.

26th Jun 2008, 12:31 am	#6
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: bakerlite cleaning There seems to be a number of ideas on this Paul. Bakobryte paste is available via the Radiophile Mag [originally developed for GPO Bakelite phones I believe]. Incidentally, I have a thing about the Sherlock Holmes spelling but don't take it to heart! Dave PS Might be Bakobrite-not sure! Last edited by dave walsh; 26th Jun 2008 at 12:51 am.

25th Jun 2008, 9:31 pm	#1
radio edgar Pentode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grimsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 133	Bakelite cleaning Hi everyone I have just come into proud possession of a bush dc90a This is my first bakelite project and I am wondering about the cabinet. It is in brilliant condition no scratches whatsoever but it is a bit dull. I have looked back in this forum and in 2005 the advice was to use boot polish I was wondering if this is still the case or has a better solution come along. kind regards Paul

26th Jun 2008, 8:34 am	#7
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Bakelite cleaning I would resist getting Bakelite too wet - it absorbs water quite a bit. A quick sloosh does no harm. As Dave says, Bake-o-bryte is by far the best thing to polish it with (I had to check the spelling on the tube in my office!) possibly followed by wax polish. The name originates from Leo Baekeland. __________________ Mike.

26th Jun 2008, 4:21 pm	#8
Boom Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 2,451	Re: Bakelite cleaning I use T-Cut which gives a glass like finish especially when polished with a lambs wool buff on a drill. To me I have found nothing better and I personally don't like boot polish as it comes off the cabinet when handled (onto clothes usually). It shouldn't be necessary to put any polish on Bakelite anyway. I bought some dedicated No 5 Bakelite polish off ebay but to me the T-Cut gave just as good a finish at far less cost. One thing I do is drop the entire case in boiling water before cutting where possible. This has two effects, one to melt away any wax/boot polish/etc that has been put on it and two it kills the shine totally giving a fresh surafce to work with.

26th Jun 2008, 6:31 pm	#10
radio edgar Pentode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grimsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 133	Re: Bakelite cleaning I must be honest I had reservations about using shoe polish for that very reason. I think I will try and get some bake-o bryte thanks to everyone for the advice Regards Paul

10th Jul 2008, 9:33 pm	#12
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Re: Bakelite cleaning I agree with david, T-cut is the best thing i have used to bring up bakelite, once done i use a car wax & the results are fantastic Cheers Mark

10th Jul 2008, 9:39 pm	#13
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Bakelite cleaning Here's the results after using Kiwi Dark Tan Shoe Polish Attached Thumbnails __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

10th Jul 2008, 10:05 pm	#14
mark pirate Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK Posts: 5,185	Re: Bakelite cleaning ....And here's the result of t-cut Attached Thumbnails

10th Jul 2008, 10:14 pm	#15
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Bakelite cleaning #14, Don't they look good & worth the effort when they come up like that. __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

11th Jul 2008, 9:59 am	#16
don2233 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 13	Re: Bakelite cleaning I use bake o bryte and then clear bri wax furniture polish as it seals the bakelite and protects it and leaves it looking like new

20th Jul 2008, 4:02 pm	#17
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: Bakelite cleaning Hello, I polished my DAC90A with shoe polish and it worked well. It had had a polish previously with SafeCut which is mild TCut so I've actually used both above methods. The polish is called Punch and it's only £1.19 from Robert Dyas and it dries and buffs up quickly and leaves no smears. I think several coats of beeswax does a better job but that takes ages ..... Howard Attached Thumbnails

24th Jul 2008, 8:51 am	#18
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Bakelite cleaning I see Howard has got the shine right .keeping it can be a problem , though on another thread re Tv22 Parafin and petrol was mentioned seams to work very well though. I dont think you have to be too carefull about water ive had many bakalite cabinets in hot water and washing up liquid for a scrub up .they do come out dull but that has to be buffed up . I think the water is a problem when it is prolonged contact with damp etc . Out of interest I belive most cabinets as we see them today have lost alot of their brightness of grain ,mottling .If you look inside otr undernieth it is more as it would b original .This is very unfortunate and irriversable i assume .I suppose its light damage . 20 years ago when i used to sell vintage radios at Bath fleamarket ,I occationally came across a Dac 90 with a perfect finish . happend about twice . With original shine and the most amazing mottling . I also remember longing after an Ekco M23 when i was about 15 It was priced £50 and was like new .It had a highly mottled cabinet .I have never seen one like that since

24th Jul 2008, 9:57 am	#19
Aerodyne Octode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hampton Vale, Peterborough, UK. Posts: 1,698	Re: Bakelite cleaning My tuppence worth: T-Cut does a good job but like Brasso can leave a yellowy-white residue in awkward corners that is tricky to remove. Bake-O-Bryte is, I believe, the same or very similar to polishing paste No.5 and I've had good results with it and recommend it. I don't care to use boot polish on Bakelite as it comes off all too easily on hands and clothes, as others have already mentioned. The same applies to wax polish, too: surfaces always seem to remain slightly sticky. Using Bake-O-Bryte leaves a hard glossy finish that doesn't need any further polish. It stays for a long time but buffs up easily. I'm a little wary of using a buffing wheel, even with a soft mop as heat can be generated especially if you get a little carried away with the process. This can burn the surface and cause the filler to show in a mottled pattern (filler can be wood flour or possibly asbestos fibres). It may even be possible to shatter a cabinet by excessively zealous buffing. -Tony

24th Jul 2008, 1:48 pm	#20
chipp1968 Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,356	Re: Bakelite cleaning with ref to wax polishing ,To avoid stickness you really need only the smallest amount, and make it go a long way . Its worked for my sets , too much will be impossible to buff away so you may get a shine but it will be a shine on a film of wax , the smallest amount is all thats needed ,clear traditional beaswax polish is best .you can get this in a spray can as well these days .