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My Bakelite Peeve - Printable Version

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My Bakelite Peeve - Uffda - 11-11-2008

I'm just looking for a decent looking bakelite table set to shine up. It seems like 90% of those listed as such on ebay
are actually plastic according to Susser. Are all post-war Hippos, Transitones and other Philcos plastic? The number of actual
bakelite radios without pushbuttons seems pretty limited. Igolioto has a pretty hippo up now that he states is bakelite, but
gives no model number. Possible?

Re: My Bakelite Peeve - Ron Ramirez - 11-11-2008

The Hippos (at least the 1946-48 models) are definitely Bakelite, and I suspect the 1949 Hippo is Bakelite as well.

With the exception of the 1938 ivory Plaskon 38-12CBI, 38-14CBI & 38-15CBI, all of the Philco table model sets made between 1938 and 1942 that are not in wood cabinets, are in Bakelite cabinets.

Postwar, Philco still made quite a few Bakelite models even into 1950 or so. Some of the postwar Philcos are non-Bakelite plastic, though; such as the 48-225, 48-230, 49-503, 50-620, 50-621, 51-629, 51-631...

Re: My Bakelite Peeve - Uffda - 11-11-2008

Thanks Ron. It sounds like Susser is routinely mis-describing the bakelite sets. I suppose
I will have to research each model more to find out what they actually are.

-Phil

Re: My Bakelite Peeve - Syl - 11-11-2008

Uffda Wrote:I'm just looking for a decent looking bakelite table set to shine up. It seems like 90% of those listed as such on ebay
are actually plastic according to Susser. Are all post-war Hippos, Transitones and other Philcos plastic? The number of actual
bakelite radios without pushbuttons seems pretty limited. Igolioto has a pretty hippo up now that he states is bakelite, but
gives no model number. Possible?

Plastic (modern) was not widely used until 1950. The thickness of the material is a good hint. Thick material = Bakelite.

What type/size of Bakelite radio are you looking for ?

Syl

Re: My Bakelite Peeve - Uffda - 11-11-2008

Syl, I'm not looking for any particular set, just a swirly brown that looks appealing. As these are not the types
I mainly collect, I want a cheapy. Most with cool styling cost too much so I thought a common hippo or smaller
set wouldfill the bill. I already have a plain-jane 48-250 that sure looks like plastic to me, so I want to see the
bakelite for comparison.

Re: My Bakelite Peeve - exray - 11-11-2008

Use the 'straight pin' test, Phil. Heat up a needle or pin. It will poke into plastic. Won't touch Bakelite.

Re: My Bakelite Peeve - Syl - 11-11-2008

exray Wrote:Use the 'straight pin' test, Phil. Heat up a needle or pin. It will poke into plastic. Won't touch Bakelite.

I prefer the drop test. Plastic cracks when dropped, Bakelite shatters in dozens of pieces.

Syl

Re: My Bakelite Peeve - Syl - 11-11-2008

Uffda Wrote:Syl, I'm not looking for any particular set, just a swirly brown that looks appealing. As these are not the types
I mainly collect, I want a cheapy. Most with cool styling cost too much so I thought a common hippo or smaller
set wouldfill the bill. I already have a plain-jane 48-250 that sure looks like plastic to me, so I want to see the
bakelite for comparison.

Phil,

The 48-225 is plastic, the 48-250 and 48-460 are bakelite (I have all three) If you want a really nice Bakelite
set with swirled Bakelite I have a 41-90 (battery set): http://radioatticarchives.com/radio.php?radio=5503
(not my picture but same set). Email me.

Syl

Re: My Bakelite Peeve - Uffda - 11-11-2008

I am not peeved enough to try Syl's test so I went with Bill's. Sho 'nuff it's bakelite.
Thanks for the offer Syl, but I think I will stick with just this one for now. I tried rubbing
the case with Brasso and then soaked it in Glayzit and polished vigorously. Neither
worked well. It has sort of a feathered oxidation look all over. What next? I have some
Mother's Mag polish. Yes? Novus 3-2-1 ?

Re: My Bakelite Peeve - Syl - 11-11-2008

Uffda Wrote:I am not peeved enough to try Syl's test so I went with Bill's. Sho 'nuff it's bakelite.
Thanks for the offer Syl, but I think I will stick with just this one for now. I tried rubbing
the case with Brasso and then soaked it in Glayzit and polished vigorously. Neither
worked well. It has sort of a feathered oxidation look all over. What next? I have some
Mother's Mag polish. Yes? Novus 3-2-1 ?

Mother's mag and blue polish are great, then Mother's mag scratch remover for the finishing touch.

Syl

Re: My Bakelite Peeve - Uffda - 11-11-2008

You guys don't use 0000 wool to polish out do you? I have just been using soft cotton rags.

Re: My Bakelite Peeve - exray - 11-12-2008

Uffda Wrote:I tried rubbing
the case with Brasso and then soaked it in Glayzit and polished vigorously. Neither
worked well. It has sort of a feathered oxidation look all over. What next? I have some
Mother's Mag polish. Yes? Novus 3-2-1 ?

All in one day? That ain't gonna work. Icon_smile

Nice thing about wood is that it is consistent. Bakelite runs the gamut in quality and wear. Needs to be fed.

If you get a handle on abrasive 'polish' versus surface-shine 'polish' you can be successful with Bakelite Icon_smile That sounds obtuse but you will understand what I mean when the can of Glayzit goes into the trash can.

Re: My Bakelite Peeve - Uffda - 11-12-2008

Bill, The Brasso and Glayzit were tried last year. Results irritated me so the whole mess went in a box till now. What I can't tell is how deep the "oxidized" surface is. I have zero other experience
rubbing out bakelite. I have rubbed out car paint that looked much worse than this, so I thought the abrasive sanding, steel wool route might take off the whole coating over the matting. Same with rubbing compound, but maybe that is what I need.

The underside has none of the feathered cloudiness. I can read newsprint or trim my moustache in the finish on the top spot that I have "Mothered" with a rag, but even there the feathering remains. Needs to be fed? Do you mean it's time to go carnuba? What the H**l, nothing to lose. I like to tape off areas and try different things so I will report back on what else does not work. If nothing else I can display it upside down to show off the swirl.

-Phil