Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Identification, Repair & Restoration => Telephone Restoration Projects and Techniques => Discolored Plastic and Bakelite - Improving it Chemically => Topic started by: AT2796 on March 19, 2020, 05:16:44 PM

Title: Broken princess
Post by: AT2796 on March 19, 2020, 05:16:44 PM
Hello everyone!
I recently scored this 1969 princess on eBay, bet despite the sellers careful packing it still arrived broken.
It has some slight discoloring that I thought I would try to recover but more concerning is the broken bits. See  photos.
I would gladly hear your advice on this repair
Acetone, super glue or model glue?
Title: Re: Broken princess
Post by: HarrySmith on March 19, 2020, 05:23:22 PM
Is 1969 the date on the bottom? The case is clearly marked 72. The post will be an easy fix with superglue. I have done that on phones before. The other is a tough break, harvesting some bits of plastic from inside to fill in will be needed. I would superglue the broken pieces in as best as possible, then melt some plastic in acetone to fill in the repair. After sanding should be virtually invisible repair.
Title: Re: Broken princess
Post by: paul-f on March 19, 2020, 05:31:16 PM
Mark Scola had a great process for ABS repair.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=58.0 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=58.0)

Another good topic to read is here:

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=5193.0 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=5193.0)
Title: Re: Broken princess
Post by: AT2796 on March 19, 2020, 06:28:44 PM
Thank you both,

Harry, the base is dated 69 as well as the handset. I haven't gone through all the innards yet, maybe this weekend while trying my hand at plastic repair!
Title: Re: Broken princess
Post by: HarrySmith on March 19, 2020, 08:06:35 PM
Cool. The stamp is clearly visible in your photo.
Title: Re: Broken princess
Post by: AT2796 on March 19, 2020, 09:42:11 PM
Well Harry,
I never looked closely after receiving it damaged. But as you pointed out it is '72. The base is dated '69 as well as the handset and ringer, but the dial and shell are '72!
Cool, I was born in 69 and my little brother was born in 72 so I've got the best of both worlds!
BTW there is a sticker on the bottom that says 6 72 so I reckon it was rehabbed in 72?

I have superglued the jigsaw puzzle back into place, now I will read up on cleaning and polishing the repair.

Maybe Ill start a new thread about the cleanup and rehab project. I tested it before disassembly and it transmits receives and dials like a champ, but doesn't ring yet. I'll get to that on re assembly.
Title: Re: Broken princess
Post by: HarrySmith on March 19, 2020, 10:06:58 PM
Cool, both dates work for you. Definitely had a refurb in 72. Yes, start a thread on the repair with lots of pictures.