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Bakelite/plastic cleaner
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2020 2:41 pm
by Molly123
Hi
Any recommendations on how to restore the colour to the Bakelite/plastic cover on the steering column and horn surround? See attached pics.
Thanks
Seth
Re: Bakelite/plastic cleaner
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2020 3:00 pm
by jagnut66
Hi,
Looking at it I think it might want a refresh, rather than just polishing.
Remove the steering wheel, then the cover itself, give a clean / wipe with thinners and let it dry.
Then treat it to several coats of Halfords Satin Black to restore the colour.
Let it thoroughly dry / harden and replace, it'll look much better.
Incidentally, whilst you've got the wheel off, you could do the surround to your horn push in the same way, it'll transform it (use masking tape over the centre part).
As an aside, I have the bottom 2/3's of an old 4 pint plastic milk bottle (that I have cut the top off), which I half fill with kettle boiled water, then place the spray can in to heat it up. If it's not spraying cold it produces a much finer mist, which I find produces better results and the spray can goes further.
I use Autosol for polishing Bakelite, works a treat, link below.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead ... RBc&adurl=
Best wishes,
Mike.
Re: Bakelite/plastic cleaner
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2020 3:01 pm
by bufferzone
Here is a link:
http://www.retrofixes.com/2013/08/resto ... elite.html
Lots of YouTube videos also if you google Bakelite restore.
Re: Bakelite/plastic cleaner
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2020 12:58 pm
by Molly123
Thanks Mike and buffer zone.
Seth
Re: Bakelite/plastic cleaner
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2020 4:10 pm
by jagnut66
As an aside, I have used this paint to restore an old black bakelite telephone a few years back, after some repairs to it's body which then needed camouflaging, so I resprayed the whole body.
Once it had time to harden, I then polished it and the unrepaired handset back up with Autosol, after you couldn't tell the difference between what had been painted and what had not.
So I was quite chuffed with that result and have sworn by both ever since.
Best wishes,
Mike.
Re: Bakelite/plastic cleaner
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2020 4:56 pm
by Molly123
I popped into Halfords today, but unfortunately they didn’t have satin black paint. I settled for plastic bumper paint, which has a semi satin finish, so hopefully it will do the job. If not I can always repaint it.
Regards
Seth
Re: Bakelite/plastic cleaner
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2020 5:53 pm
by jagnut66
I've not used that, so can't say whether it would be up to that job or just wear back off.
Just thinking with 'bumper black' they may be wanting you to go back for more on a semi regular basis, so I'd try it on something else first.
Best wishes,
Mike.
Re: Bakelite/plastic cleaner
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2020 1:35 pm
by King Kenny
I used a permanent black marker pen to restore mine.
Re: Bakelite/plastic cleaner
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2020 4:22 pm
by bufferzone
You’re welcome, Seth. BTW, I noticed the red horn push crazing, and I have read that soaking it over night in olive oil will make the cracks almost disappear.
Re: Bakelite/plastic cleaner
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2020 5:13 pm
by jagnut66
I have read that soaking it over night in olive oil will make the cracks almost disappear.
Now that's interesting and something to try, which won't harm it either way.
Next time I have one that's crazed I'll try that.
Best wishes,
Mike.