Cleaning Plastic - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

23rd Dec 2002, 10:19 am

I find "Mr Muscle" kitchen cleaner ideal for cleaning greasy dirt from plastic and bakelite parts, epecially those fluted edge control knobs. Use an old toothbrush to work it in, then rinse with water and dry off. Don't leave plastic or bakelite wet for too long, and if in doubt try it on an inconspicuous piece first. Tuning scales are best avoided too.

27th Dec 2002, 3:58 pm

I WOULDNT USE THIS ON BAKELITE AS IT DULLS THE SHINE. TRADITIONAL POLISH WITH BEES WAX IS BETTER.. YES ON THE TOOTH BRUSH THOUGH, NAIL BRUSHES ARE ALSO GOOD FOR BIGGER PARTS. I OFTEN PUT WIRE ROUND THE PARTS WITH GOLD INLAYS TO PROTECT THEM FROM BEING SCRUBBED AWAY.

28th Dec 2002, 8:56 pm

Brasso and a soft, clean cloth - can't beat it !

Paul Stenning · 29th Dec 2002, 11:22 am

Brasso is fine on bakelite, but be cautious on plastic. I found that it slightly softened the plastic of my Bush TR91. The usual advise - try on an inconspicuous area first (such as inside).

Dave · 30th Dec 2002, 9:57 am

For plastic you cannot beat Greygate's Plastic polish especially TR 82's!, and I've tried them all. Use Brasso if you must on a very dirty initial clean but the final finish of Greygate can't be beat!.
Happy new year all
Dave
( no connection with above mentioned company )

jim_beacon · 4th Apr 2003, 2:07 pm

If you want the Greygate range of polishs, so long as your prepared to buy a case at a time, contact

Greygate Chemical products
Fir tree Lane
Groby
Leics

The phone number escapes me at the moment, for Bakelite, Paste Polishing No 5 (the original GPO stuff, meant for jack plugs), sold elsewhere as BakoBrite.

They also do a number of plastic and perspex polishs, including one originally dveloped for removing the scracths from Spitfire canopies, which gives excellent results on old radios.

Jim

radioman · 30th Apr 2003, 1:49 pm

Paste Polishing No.5 is available from CPC (Order code SAMETALCLEAN) at £1.12+vat a tube. They also sell Greygate's Plastic Polish (Order code SAPLASTICCLEAN) at £2.79+vat for 100ml.

Hope this information helps.

jdrysdale · 29th Jun 2005, 3:57 pm

I used Mr Muscle to clean the metal chassis of a philips the other day. It was coated in a varnish like substance which I put down to nicotine stains. It did an excellant job, carefully applied using a little brush and wiped away. Only thing was I wiped the badge by accident and gone is all the black screen print.

23rd Dec 2002, 10:19 am	#1
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Cleaning Plastic I find "Mr Muscle" kitchen cleaner ideal for cleaning greasy dirt from plastic and bakelite parts, epecially those fluted edge control knobs. Use an old toothbrush to work it in, then rinse with water and dry off. Don't leave plastic or bakelite wet for too long, and if in doubt try it on an inconspicuous piece first. Tuning scales are best avoided too. Last edited by Paul Stenning; 27th Dec 2004 at 12:14 am. Reason: Fix link or code for vBulletin

27th Dec 2002, 3:58 pm	#2
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cleaning Plastic I WOULDNT USE THIS ON BAKELITE AS IT DULLS THE SHINE. TRADITIONAL POLISH WITH BEES WAX IS BETTER.. YES ON THE TOOTH BRUSH THOUGH, NAIL BRUSHES ARE ALSO GOOD FOR BIGGER PARTS. I OFTEN PUT WIRE ROUND THE PARTS WITH GOLD INLAYS TO PROTECT THEM FROM BEING SCRUBBED AWAY. Last edited by Paul Stenning; 27th Dec 2004 at 12:15 am.

28th Dec 2002, 8:56 pm	#3
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cleaning Plastic Brasso and a soft, clean cloth - can't beat it !

29th Dec 2002, 11:22 am	#4
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,071	Re: Cleaning Plastic Brasso is fine on bakelite, but be cautious on plastic. I found that it slightly softened the plastic of my Bush TR91. The usual advise - try on an inconspicuous area first (such as inside). __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

30th Dec 2002, 9:57 am	#5
Dave Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Dorset Posts: 35	Re: Cleaning Plastic For plastic you cannot beat Greygate's Plastic polish especially TR 82's!, and I've tried them all. Use Brasso if you must on a very dirty initial clean but the final finish of Greygate can't be beat!. Happy new year all Dave ( no connection with above mentioned company )

4th Apr 2003, 2:07 pm	#6
jim_beacon Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bishop's Waltham, Hants, UK. Posts: 939	Re: Cleaning Plastic If you want the Greygate range of polishs, so long as your prepared to buy a case at a time, contact Greygate Chemical products Fir tree Lane Groby Leics The phone number escapes me at the moment, for Bakelite, Paste Polishing No 5 (the original GPO stuff, meant for jack plugs), sold elsewhere as BakoBrite. They also do a number of plastic and perspex polishs, including one originally dveloped for removing the scracths from Spitfire canopies, which gives excellent results on old radios. Jim Last edited by Paul Stenning; 27th Dec 2004 at 12:15 am.

30th Apr 2003, 1:49 pm	#7
radioman Heptode Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ayr, Ayrshire, UK. Posts: 631	Re: Cleaning Plastic Paste Polishing No.5 is available from CPC (Order code SAMETALCLEAN) at £1.12+vat a tube. They also sell Greygate's Plastic Polish (Order code SAPLASTICCLEAN) at £2.79+vat for 100ml. Hope this information helps. __________________ G-QRP #12697 Last edited by Paul Stenning; 27th Dec 2004 at 12:16 am.

29th Jun 2005, 3:57 pm	#8
jdrysdale Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 11	Re: Cleaning Plastic I used Mr Muscle to clean the metal chassis of a philips the other day. It was coated in a varnish like substance which I put down to nicotine stains. It did an excellant job, carefully applied using a little brush and wiped away. Only thing was I wiped the badge by accident and gone is all the black screen print.