Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Identification, Repair & Restoration => Telephone Restoration Projects and Techniques => Bakelite Repair & Polishing => Topic started by: rfkimba on January 27, 2014, 01:07:12 AM

Title: Polishing roughened bakelite to restore the surface smoothness and shine
Post by: rfkimba on January 27, 2014, 01:07:12 AM
I acquired a 143Aw receiver with   an old railroad scissorback just  purchased on ebay. After wiping it with liquid metal polish I was much cleaner and shinier but the bakelite surface is slightly roughened from years of use and dirt.  I tried buffing it with  a shoe brush but no luck. Is there a specific polish and application method anyone can recommend that  can help restore the final shine? 
Thanks,
Bob Farber
Title: Re: Polishing roughened bakelite to restore the surface smoothness and shine
Post by: TelePlay on January 27, 2014, 06:11:41 AM
This is a good reference area to start with. Several different methods discussed.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?board=21.0
Title: Re: Polishing roughened bakelite to restore the surface smoothness and shine
Post by: wds on January 27, 2014, 08:12:15 AM
On smaller parts like the receiver and handsets, I've had good luck with a power buffer.  I use one of those stick compounds and use an electric buffing wheel - smooths out the roughness and gives it a nice black shine. 
Title: Re: Polishing roughened bakelite to restore the surface smoothness and shine
Post by: TelePlay on January 27, 2014, 08:40:51 AM
If you want to go the buffing route, that was addressed on the forum and this is one link, with posts following this one, which gets into buffing plastic and bakelite with some very good examples of completed work.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=8217.msg89581#msg89581

And this is farther down showing one recommendation that bakelite is best buffed at 3450 RPM.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=8217.msg89722#msg89722

There are others. This is the link that came to mind when buffing was mentiioned.


Title: Re: Polishing roughened bakelite to restore the surface smoothness and shine
Post by: Matilo Telephones on January 27, 2014, 03:21:02 PM
Very good job!

What material is the housing made of? Not painted metal?

I use a dremel on bakelite. Lowest setting, felt polishing wheel. On a higher setting, you may risk causing burnmarks.

Same goes for ureoformaldehyde.

Plastics, don´t! Painted metal, don´t!