Hi All
Just a question on what people to do revitalised and re-shine Bakelite.

The bee I have, the case has lost its shine so we are down to Dusty Matt look
(years of Dear mother wiping it with soapy water I suppose)

I have read of many many ways of restoring it...from Brasso..shoe polish to bath oils from Avon.

But I'd like to know what forum members' consensus of opinions are on the best approach to this?

Also the "K" in Kriesler, thought all there has broken at the junction...would a small drop of a slow curing epoxy be the go there?

Thank you.... for any input on this.

Edit Additional

"Speaker cone repair", just noticed the sun light coming through the circumference in parts
(should have expected that thought)

Also the "K" in Kriesler, thought all there has broken at the junction...would a small drop of a slow curing epoxy be the go there?

If the K is attached to the cabinet with a locating lug I'd use standard PVA glue instead of epoxy. PVA dries clear and you'd only need the smallest smidge of it.

By using epoxy or anything that acetone would dissolve you run the risk of melting the plastic.

As for the cabinet, lots of elbow grease and Kitten car polish, Brasso or Silvo should bring the shine back. Wash the cabinet in hot soapy water first to ensure it is clean and thus preventing the risk of scratching. Bakelite is slightly porous and this is why the original shine diminishes over time.

Boot polish can be used to dye faded Bakelite and make any deep scratches look less obvious.

Thanks Brad much appreciated

I was just going to edit this and add Speaker cone repair just noticed the sun light coming through the circumference in parts

probably from years of use and abuse...anyway Elbow grease yes kinda figured that

PVA glue sounds a less brutal a way to go Thanks

(Working out parts needed resistors will be fun..but getting there)

One thing I did forget to add is that even though polishing the Bakelite can be hard yakka you need to make sure the bit you are rubbing is adequately supported to prevent breakages.

The quality of cabinets does vary. Some have portions that are wafer thin whilst other cabinets can almost be stood on.

Yeah that is of great concern Brad.... mostly the bee's pretty solid but the ribs will probably be a bit unwieldy.

Either way 70 odd years of something that is I guess brittle to start with is a worry...slow and steady I think it will be.

Thanks again for the input.

(parts are ordered will just see how I go getting them in..worse comes to worse I got a working bee I can recase if this is a failure..pretty sad state really this one... thought it wouldn't be quite the same..anyway)

For speaker repairs I use PVA and coffee filter paper

Baz

Thanks Baz

Tried that with one but I think I was bit over zealous with the PVA...the cone was very brittle and just disintegrated

I did Get some 4 Ohm 5 inch speakers from Jaycar

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=AS3007%20&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1008#4.

the trouble is they only put 4 holes in them and they are fatter so interfere with the Dual Gang Tuning Cap with the bee's but redrilling you may get away with it

Depends on Cone excursion but I think doable...yet to try it thought

The movable part tuning cap goes inside the frame of the speaker...when I get to the Bee's got side tracked with a plum and little nippers I'll see how I go

Mounting the output Transformer is another problem thought

The speaker its self might get someone out of trouble with a bigger radio thought
so it a possible "cheap" if not exactly in step with restoration Answer I suppose

Cheers mate and thank you