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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.
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I have had great results with Novus #2 or #3 depending on how dull they are. I have never damaged a knob this way.
Eric
The Villages, FL
Member: Philco Phorum, ARF, ARCI & Radiomuseum.org
(This post was last modified: 01-04-2014, 07:26 PM by
Eric Adams.)
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Here's an earlier thread on the same topic you might find interesting:
http://philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread...+polishing
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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
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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.
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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
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I agree with TAB10672 "I first clean them with purple power (best cleaner I have ever used)"
That stuff works on BBQ grills also!
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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.
John KK4ZLF
Lexington, KY
"illegitimis non carborundum"
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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.
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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
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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...
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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.
Eric
The Villages, FL
Member: Philco Phorum, ARF, ARCI & Radiomuseum.org
(This post was last modified: 01-09-2014, 10:10 AM by
Eric Adams.)
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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.