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Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - Printable Version

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Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - jeffgniffke - 01-04-2014

I have wondered on this for a while... I'm always leery to use anything that would be used on plastic materials on bakelite because, as I understand it the chemical make-up is significantly different. So have stuck to water and soap with a toothbrush.
Would like something to bring them to little bit of a gloss if possible.

What has anyone else used or done to them?

thanks.

RE: Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - Eric Adams - 01-04-2014

I have had great results with Novus #2 or #3 depending on how dull they are. I have never damaged a knob this way.

RE: Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - klondike98 - 01-04-2014

Here's an earlier thread on the same topic you might find interesting: http://philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=1224&highlight=bakelite+polishing

RE: Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - tab10672 - 01-04-2014

I first clean them with purple power (best cleaner I have ever used) then I buff with cheap walmart rubbing compound and a dremel "cloth" cleaning wheel not the fiber wheels. They look like they are coated with wet oil after washing the dry compound off. This also works for scuffed/scratched and yellow plastic dial glass. Todd

RE: Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - hsusmann - 01-04-2014

I came across this youtube video a while ago on
bakelite knobs.

I have not tried his technique myself but he claims it works very well

It is in two parts, here's the first part:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDeE48dVyTw

Herb S.

RE: Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - jeffgniffke - 01-04-2014

Thanks folks! I'm obviously underestimating there durability! I read the other thread and it sure looks like the Mothers worked pretty well. I've got Novus as well just didn't want to use it on the Bakelite. I wondering now why i was so leery of using much of anything.

Thanks again ...very good information.

Jeff

RE: Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - Chicago Jimmy - 01-05-2014

I agree with TAB10672 "I first clean them with purple power (best cleaner I have ever used)"
That stuff works on BBQ grills also!

RE: Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - Eliot Ness - 01-05-2014

I've had a cleaner like 409 dull Bakelite knobs before. Now I just spay them liberally with a furniture polish, let them soak, clean any nooks, crannies, or crevices with a soft toothbrush, and they come out looking like new.

RE: Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - jeffgniffke - 01-06-2014

Thanks Eliot,
My recollection is something on that order...because of what the bakelite is made out of compared to plastic.
I like the furniture polish idea.

RE: Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - Chuck Schwark - 01-08-2014

I use Excalbur paste car wax with a soft cloth and minimum of paste.
Also use a very soft toothbrush for the cracks and grooves.

Chuck

RE: Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - jeffgniffke - 01-08-2014

Thanks Chuck ...I was just looking at using some paste wax....the particular ones that brought this up are the thumb wheels on a 42-400 that have dirt/grease in the notches....have to pick up a soft toothbrush. I'm guessing the bakelite is fairly soft...

RE: Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - Eric Adams - 01-09-2014

I tried my wife's ultra sonic cleaner last night (don't tell her). I had to run it three cycles, but it worked great.

RE: Cleaning and Polishing Bakelite knobs - jeffgniffke - 01-09-2014

Cool Eric! Trouble with the big consoles it is not easy to remove the thumbwheels is not a simple task so have to do it in place.