Bakelite the Easy Way - Mineral Oil

[Kellogg Kitt]

I have a mineral oil on Bakelite success story.

I do not do elaborate, beautiful restorations as many of you all do.  I just need them to look good, not perfect.  My usual process is a thorough cleaning followed by Novus 1.  Sometimes I also use Novus 2 before the Novus 1 if necessary for light scuffs or scratches. This process works very well for Tenite and ABS (most of my phones), but as we know, not so well for Bakelite.

Most of my Bakelite phones are still black and shiny, but I have 3 that were dull and gray.  I did not think to get a "before" picture after cleaning but before polishing, but I think many of us know the look:  dull and gray, not even black anymore.  The surface was not damaged, just dull and gray.   They actually looked horrible, even after cleaning.

I read extensively in this forum and elsewhere about Bakelite restoration and was dreading this project (Brasso, sanding, power buffing, heat, wax, shoe polish, etc.).

So, I decided to try "easy" first.  After cleaning and reassembling the phones, I applied some mineral oil to a polishing cloth, and wiped and polished the entire surface.  I was afraid I had used too much, as it was pooling in the corners and crevices.  As much as I polished and tried to dig into the corners, I could not get it all out.  So, after getting it "good enough," I stopped polishing, hoping it would all soak in over time.

They were shiny and black and beautiful, but I was afraid it would not last.

Now, about 4 months later, they are still black and shiny, with no oily residue.  They are dry to the touch, with no indication that they have been oiled.

The 3 individual pictures are immediately after polishing.  The picture of 3 together on the shelf is today, about 4 months later -- still looking good!

[tubaman]

Very nice! When you say 'mineral oil' which type of oil do you mean exactly?

[Kellogg Kitt]

When you say 'mineral oil' which type of oil do you mean exactly?

Good question.  The label does not say exactly what it is.  This is sold as a laxative, but I have also heard of it being used as hair moisturizer, glue remover, and many other uses.  I think it is basically the same thing baby oil without the fragrance.

According to my quick research, this is probably a petroleum product, called "mineral oil" to distinguish that it is not from plant or vegetable sources.

[MMikeJBenN27]

They look great!

Mike

[tubaman]

Good question.  The label does not say exactly what it is.  This is sold as a laxative, but I have also heard of it being used as hair moisturizer, glue remover, and many other uses.  I think it is basically the same thing baby oil without the fragrance.
...

I think this would be called Liquid Paraffin here in the UK.