554 Questions

[FABphones]

I've found myself a black 554 that many of you probably wouldn't look twice at, but here in the UK we don't come across them too often.

I'm mid clean up (it's filthy), but can't get the centre Opal off, have tried tape and Blu-Tack. How do I remove it?
I also need to remove the fingerplate.
And
The numbers around the dial are quite grubby, can I use polishing paste on this, don't want to try without checking first.

I've been reading up a bit on these and this one seems true to what I've read about refurbs. I have a 1970's modular exterior, 1957 in the handset and 1960's inside the case.

Loving it! 

[HarrySmith]

You will need a pin or tack or something to remove the fingerwheel. Turn the dial all the way as far as it will go, at that point just below the fingerstop you will see a small hole, put the tack or tool into the hole and press down, now turn the dial a bit further and it should come right off. The dial center is removed fromt the back once you have it off. IIRC there is a topic on here about removing fingerwheels with pictures.

[AL_as_needed]

A solid paper-clip with the long leg bent out also makes a great tool for finger-wheel removal. If however it has a metal finger wheel: Carefully press in the bottom tab of the dial card ring while lifting it off at the same time. The metal ring should pop off with the number card etc inside it. From there it's a simple nut that holds the finger wheel on.

Whenever I get a "farm fresh" phone, I like to soak all the plastics (not bakelite) in warm water and dish-soap to cut through the grime.

[kleenax]

I've found myself a black 554 that many of you probably wouldn't look twice at, but here in the UK we don't come across them too often.

I'm mid clean up (it's filthy), but can't get the centre Opal off, have tried tape and Blu-Tack. How do I remove it?
I also need to remove the fingerplate.
And
The numbers around the dial are quite grubby, can I use polishing paste on this, don't want to try without checking first.

I've been reading up a bit on these and this one seems true to what I've read about refurbs. I have a 1970's modular exterior, 1957 in the handset and 1960's inside the case.

Loving it! 

To clean up the crud, you can just use common ammonia on a cloth.

[FABphones]

The earpiece was the worse, the youngsters came over to me and saw the thick toffee on the cap. I explained that wasn't toffee. Inside and out. How? No, I don't wanna know.      Yuk. The things we do for the love of phones.

(Forgot to say, it's a plastic fingerwheel, I'll add photos soon). 

Can I use polishing paste to clean up those those numbers or will it scratch?

*I've searched for the topic with pics as mentioned above but I can't find it, could anyone please give me the link?

Thanks.

[Key2871]

Depending on the product. You don't want anything too aggressive, and it can't attack the plastic. What I would do is try some in a place not noticeable.
Do a dab in a small place and give it a go, check your results.

[FABphones]

Firstly, thanks to all for the replies. I got the fingerwheel off (thanks for telling me about a hole, I would never have spotted it), and I think I'm there with the clean up, this is as good as it's going to get.

This phone is going to be used in the kitchen so all I need now is to figure out how to attach a line cord (UK) if anyone can help. It came with none.

Your vote needed - should I keep that pen holder on the side? It will need soaking off, it's on pretty firmly. Not sure if I want it there or not. Would you?

Lots of photos below. This 554 has had a few refubs. I have dates from 1957 onwards. I know 1957 is pretty early. The back says 228 and 12-77. Other than that I don't know much else about what I've got as I've never seen a 554 before.

[FABphones]

More pics:

[FABphones]

Last set of 554 pics:

[HarrySmith]

Nice! Cleaned up good. I would not bother with the pen holder, not worth the amount of work it would take to remove it in my opinion. I am sure one of our European members can help with the line cord as soon as they wake up.

[Key2871]

Run the case under hot water, where the pen holder is the warmth will soften the adhesive. Then to get the residue off use peanut butter, or peanut oil. It will dissolve the adhesive so you can get it off easier. Find a desk phone over there and remove the cord and just connect it to your wall phone.

[Nick in Manitou]

Sure did clean up nicely!

[jsowers]

Below is what you need to connect the phone to your phone line, a wall-mount jack. I don't know which wire goes where if it's not a North American phone system, so try your best connecting something to the red and green (or R and G) screws on the wall-mount jack. Good luck finding one of those jacks. You can also take the modular backplate off your 554 and hard-wire it to the phone line. You will see where the phone wires connect--L1 and L2.

[FABphones]

Thanks. Removing the modular backplate might be the way to go.
Anyone in the UK popped a UK line cord onto one of these able to give me a few tips, or post a few pics?
Failing that, I might pop a French line cord on it.    Ohhlala!
Thanks again.