[Uffda]

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?

[Ron Ramirez]

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...

[Uffda]

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

[Syl]

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

[Uffda]

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.

[exray]

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

[Syl]

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

[Syl]

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

[Uffda]

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 ?

[Syl]

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

[Uffda]

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

[exray]

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.

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 That sounds obtuse but you will understand what I mean when the can of Glayzit goes into the trash can.

[Uffda]

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