|
Cabinet and Chassis Restoration and Refinishing For help with cabinet or chassis restoration (non-electrical), please leave a message here. |
|
Thread Tools |
24th Oct 2020, 3:47 pm | #1 |
Heptode
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 595
|
What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
Good afternoon all,
I have acquired a GEC radio with a very distressed casing. The case is Bakelite with wood grain effect side panels, so my question is, what should I do to make the radio look presentable again? At first I thought, should I just get the radio up and running again and leave the case to show how they look if not looked after but then I thought no, I will try and make it look presentable again. Does anyone have any ideas as to what I should do with the case and how to go about rubbing down and what paint and colours to use to paint/spray it. I am also seeking some new material to replace the material on the baffle board, so any information as to suppliers etc will be very welcome. Regards, Brian |
24th Oct 2020, 4:13 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 8,831
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
Well, having decided to make it look presentable you now have two choices, either restore the bare bakelite by polishing it (lots of previous threads on this), or go a stage further and apply a wood finish effect on to it.
The latter can be done using paint and old fashioned faux woodgrain techniques of which there's lots of information on the internet and also suitable paints available for the technique/style. Alternatively, easier but obviously no so nice in the final analysis, apply wood grain effect, self adhesive plastic sheeting. if you use the plastic sheeting, you could 'touch in' just the edges of the end pieces using brown paint.
__________________
A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. |
24th Oct 2020, 4:42 pm | #3 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK.
Posts: 687
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
Yes, difficult choice, there seem to be a lot of these where the owner has removed all the woodgrain finish and polished it up and they would look fine if you didnt know it should have a print finish.
I would never have the skill to put a paint finish back on it again, I dont think Steve. |
24th Oct 2020, 5:13 pm | #4 |
Heptode
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 595
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
Thank you gents, just the information I needed.
Brian |
24th Oct 2020, 9:26 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 13,998
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
In times-past, I've 'reworked' nondescript broadcast-band radios with tatty bakelite or wood-veneer cases by sanding them back and respraying with 'wrinkle finish' black paint as sold by the likes of Frost for repainting MG car-dashboards.
Replace aged sagging/discoloured speaker-fabric with expanded-metal mesh-grille sprayed matt-black, fit 'industrial' pointer-knobs and the result can have an intriguing "WWII-utility/amenity-radio" aesthetic - which fits in well with my home situation - though it will never look as good as something like the genuine 1943 Pye PCR that's my kitchen-radio-of-the-month. |
24th Oct 2020, 10:09 pm | #6 |
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 27,944
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
I would just spray paint it dark brown unless there's a particular reason to put a huge amount of effort in.
|
25th Oct 2020, 10:48 am | #7 |
Nonode
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Aberdeen, UK.
Posts: 2,853
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
Brian, best bet is to use the "Search" facility. As there is heaps of valuable info on Bakelite & its restoration. Generally, "rubbing down" - if that means using sandpaper/emery cloth or wirewool - is a no no. Some folk have recommended "Brasso", but some types of bakelite dont respond to it very well. I find that a really good car body finisher's compound is best. Farecla is what I've been using. No6 for initial polishing, and No10 for final polishing.
Regards, David |
25th Oct 2020, 11:15 am | #8 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK.
Posts: 687
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
I think the wood grain effect must come off fairly easily and the plain bakelite polish up on these, the radiomusuem link shows one original and one plain shiny bakelite.
Steve. https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/general_el_5445.html |
25th Oct 2020, 11:30 am | #9 |
Octode
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 1,898
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
No need to paint it if you remove the paint the Bakelite is brown.
I had one that was a lovely chocolate brown I didn't realise it had been stripped until I saw one with the painted wood effect. I don't know if the plain brown case was an option or if the brown ones you see are stripped ones. Something must attack the paint on some sets as I have seen perfect ones with no signs of deterioration and others where the finish has gone patchy, the paint seeming to be soft. As others have said you have your options. I would remove the grotty paint and polish it. |
25th Oct 2020, 3:11 pm | #10 |
Heptode
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 595
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
Thanking you all for some great information/ideas.
I love this hobby/pastime, which was new to me prior to lockdown. I have learned so much over the past six months, so whatever I decide to do with the Bakelite cabinet will be another new project for me. Brian P.S. Most of what I have learnt has come by way of your generous time spent answering my queries/questions, thanking you all once again. |
25th Oct 2020, 4:49 pm | #11 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
An easy way of removing flaky paint (well most of it) is sticky tape, rater therapeutic too.
|
25th Oct 2020, 6:18 pm | #12 |
Heptode
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Gosport, Hampshire, UK.
Posts: 606
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
I don't think sticky back plastic would be easy to apply on s curved surface. I've had it go horribly wrong on a flat surface!
__________________
GQRP Club 4704 - BVWS Member |
25th Oct 2020, 6:32 pm | #13 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 8,831
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
Ah, indeed. I didn't realise that it was a curved surface. A definite no-no!
__________________
A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. |
25th Oct 2020, 6:52 pm | #14 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
I meant using tape to remove the paint, you can put Fablon over curved surfaces with a bit of heat, it drags back if not held in place though.
|
25th Oct 2020, 8:36 pm | #15 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 3,310
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
For spray paint, a good match for “ dark” Bakelite( Bush Vhf61 etc) is Vauxhall “ Brazil Brown”
__________________
"Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly." |
25th Oct 2020, 11:58 pm | #16 |
Pentode
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 174
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
The old paint effect used to be a real trade, otherwise known as marbling and graining. May still be the odd person doing it as a profession but they are probably very thin on the ground. It used to be seen in most victorian houses, internal doors and casings used to be pine but 'grained' to look like a more expensive wood. To my eyes most of it was meant to be oak. It was done to a pretty good standard too. I saw lots of it in the 70's and 80's. Being sparkies mate saw to that. It's pretty much all been ripped out now.
I suppose you could give it a go if you felt inclined. The worst that can happen is that you have to remove it. One day I'll have a go. I've already done it in terms of fake wood grain - that is on wood but I've not done it on bakelite. As others have said you could just go through the grits and stop when the scratches are no longer visible to the naked eye. That will get you to a certain level of shine/gloss. You could leave it at that or you could put shellac on it, shellac pretty much sticks to anything and has a strong reputation for doing so. That's also a way of subtly altering the colour of the bakelite (should you wish) by putting a pigment in the shellac. Number of ways you can go with your cabinet. Last edited by Michael.N.; 26th Oct 2020 at 12:03 am. |
26th Oct 2020, 9:03 am | #17 |
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK.
Posts: 6,865
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
In the 1940's several smaller sets were available in painted or urea formaldehyde cabinets the colour suited for the tastes of the time.
As the cabinet is in need of painting or otherwise improvement you could consider painting it a bright colour to fit with modern life. I have a Bush DAC90A in Mineral Blue it looks really nice the cabinet was badly damaged so it wasn't any loss. I am not suggesting any vandalism here just changing something dull to something bright. Cheers Mike T
__________________
Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk |
26th Oct 2020, 11:04 am | #18 |
Heptode
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 595
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
More interesting recommendations, thank you all.
Just as a matter of interest, are there many women on this forum as I have slipped up a couple of times and posted "thank you gents". |
26th Oct 2020, 2:01 pm | #19 | |
Nonode
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 2,533
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
Quote:
Steve
__________________
https://www.radiocraft.co.uk |
|
26th Oct 2020, 3:16 pm | #20 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 8,831
|
Re: What to do with poor condition Bakelite case?
Excellent job Steve.
__________________
A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. |