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Polish v Varnish v …..

Started by FABphones, May 05, 2022, 06:20:03 AM

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FABphones

The little workshop is back in full use so I decided to restart my experiments by side-by-side trialling various polishing and coating products. Some of these products are mentioned on other threads - adding here for a simple side-by-side comparison. Several of these products I have never used on Bakelite and under normal circumstances, just my preference, would not.

This thread will be updated once each trial stage is completed.

Each trial will consist of just one single application of the product undergoing comparison testing.

Each of the products will be applied for a duration of up to one minute following it's application instructions. Some products are much quicker to apply (eg: Aerosol).

Any product requiring a drying (curing) period will have it's 'after' photograph taken at the end of that time.

The one minute time limit includes the initial Step 1 prep work. Any areas requiring more work under other circumstances will remain as is.

These results are as found on the day of each trial - your results may differ.

 :)

—-

Step 1:
A Bakelite phone body was cleaned using Brasso and 000 grade wire wool.

Before and after images below:
A collector of  'Monochrome Phones with Sepia Tones'   ...and a Duck!
***********
Vintage Phones - 10% man made, 90% Tribble
*************

FABphones

Clear Gloss Aerosol Varnish

Pros:
Quick to apply.

A single application produces a notable sheen. Reflection detail is more defined (none coated area shown to right of red line).

Fingernail Scratch Test left no mark.

Cons:
Durability in use unknown.

Unoriginal/none factory coating.

Over application will result in runs and smearing requiring total removal of product and start over.

—-
Images below show result in three different lighting conditions.
A collector of  'Monochrome Phones with Sepia Tones'   ...and a Duck!
***********
Vintage Phones - 10% man made, 90% Tribble
*************

FABphones

#2
Liquid Gloss Acrylic Varnish

A milky white substance with a creamy consistency. Dries clear.

The initial microfibre cloth application didn't coat evenly, so a second area was coated using a cotton cloth, which covered better. A third area received a brush application.

Green area - brush
Yellow area - microfibre cloth
Red area - cotton cloth

Pros:
Easy to apply.
No strong odour (plasticky odour)

Cons:
Application by brush can be streaky resulting in uneven application.
Too thin an application by cloth can result in the product being immediately wiped on/off.

Fails finger scratch test. Multiple scratches will flake product off surface.
Long term durability untested.

Unoriginal/none factory coating.

—-
Some sheen when dry - looks better from a distance.
A collector of  'Monochrome Phones with Sepia Tones'   ...and a Duck!
***********
Vintage Phones - 10% man made, 90% Tribble
*************

FABphones

#3
Yacht Varnish

Pros:
None

Cons:
Strong odour - apply in a well ventilated or external work area.
Thick consistency and tacky to apply.
After two days - dry to the touch but not thoroughly cured.
Air bubbles lifted to surface during drying/curing.
Density of product means application is thicker than required. This resulted in runs.

Failed scratch test (image 3). May become more durable over time when hardening has completed.

Unoriginal /none factory finish.

—-
Not recommended.
A collector of  'Monochrome Phones with Sepia Tones'   ...and a Duck!
***********
Vintage Phones - 10% man made, 90% Tribble
*************

FABphones

Paste Polishing No5

A tubed and slightly textured paste. Apply with a cotton cloth.

Pros:
Easy to apply.
No strong odour.
A little goes a long way.
Passes finger scratch test.
As used by GPO /BT.

Cons:
None.

—-
Noticeable result. Images below show good reflection detail on polished area to left.
A collector of  'Monochrome Phones with Sepia Tones'   ...and a Duck!
***********
Vintage Phones - 10% man made, 90% Tribble
*************

FABphones

Micro-gloss Liquid Abrasive

White creamy liquid.
Cotton cloth application.

Pros:
Easy to apply.
No strong odour.
A little goes a long way.
Passes finger scratch test.

Cons:
None.

—-
A nice sheen, good reflection detail (click on image to expand).
A collector of  'Monochrome Phones with Sepia Tones'   ...and a Duck!
***********
Vintage Phones - 10% man made, 90% Tribble
*************

FABphones

#6
Vehicle Dashboard Shine

Thin white creamy liquid.
Cotton cloth application (also available in pump spray containers)

Pros:
Cheap to buy.
Quick to apply.
No strong odour.
A little goes a long way.
Passes finger scratch test.

Cons:
None original coating.

Easily available over the counter. Product name will vary but this is essentially a car dashboard valeting product. Quick and easy to apply. One wipe over with a soft cotton cloth leaves a shiny layer (as shown on lower area of image below).

A collector of  'Monochrome Phones with Sepia Tones'   ...and a Duck!
***********
Vintage Phones - 10% man made, 90% Tribble
*************

FABphones

#7
Shellac

Pros
Liquid, easy to apply (padded cloth ball)
Low odour

Cons
Fails scratch test
Longer drying period


Gives a nice shine but the coating is fairly thick.

A collector of  'Monochrome Phones with Sepia Tones'   ...and a Duck!
***********
Vintage Phones - 10% man made, 90% Tribble
*************

FABphones

Black Vehicle Polish

Pros:
No strong odour
Easy to apply on cotton cloth

Cons:
Will stain skin and fabric. Gloves required


Cleans nicely. Can help to slightly even the shade of black but won't provide an intensive darker colour. Stains hands not the phone, gloves essential. Does not leave a highly polished high shine.
A collector of  'Monochrome Phones with Sepia Tones'   ...and a Duck!
***********
Vintage Phones - 10% man made, 90% Tribble
*************