Hi all,

I'm sure I'll be on here lots reading for information. I have just received today a Kriesler radio that I bought on Etsy, probably 50's I'm guessing. I have pulled it apart and started the cleaning.

I couldn't wait to clean it up. It works however it doesn't light up I can see the bulbs are blown but have no idea where I might find them. I've done a quick search on the net but can't find anything. They're a Philips 8045D.

It is black Bakelite with two knobs & a pink back board. Overall its in quite good condition. Has that lovely warm valve sound.

Does anyone know what I can polish the Bakelite with to get the small scratches out?

I've also got a problem cleaning the backing board which the Kriesler logo appears on. It's almost a plastic fabric type wallpaper similar to a knitted fabric. But not fabric and is glued to Masonite. I've tried everything (toothbrush with shellite, isoproponol, detergent and a little water, bleach, gumption, orange power cleaner, small amount of ajax, marble paste and so on. Nothing works it remains the same yellowed pink (original colour baby pink very pale very 50's). Love it if someone has any ideas.

Sorry to say hello with a host of questions but I guess that's how we come here in the first place.

I have a healing timber radio circa unknown sitting on my desk, 2 x AWA Radiolas smallish 1950's/1960's (one for spare parts or possible restoration) another older larger Radiola again 50's.

1 realistic 1960's

+ On the way I have a Boeing 747 radio, a map of the world radio (Japanese & spherical)

I love 1940's radios but want to experiment with newer ones until I get the hang of the restoration process before tackling something like that.

Hope to hear from you. Heather.

Globes are common as.......... Jaycar SL-2654

Trying to get the scratches out of the Bakelite will result in having to resurface it as that shiny layer is only skin deep.

Whilst many frown on using any thing with Silicone in it, I find Dash & trim to be a good shiner albiet it can make the cabinet a bit greasy.

Most of the dirt can be removed using dish washing liquid or a mild soap and water. I have been known to strip a real bad one of damageables & work it over on the darkroom bench (wet bench).

Test anything on the base of the cabinet. and do not use alkaline product on Bakelite.

Would want to see what you refer to as backing board, The fabric (if it is) might be an early nylon. more likely viscose rayon (Bemberg), rarely silk and likely faded.

It should have a model number. 11-23, 43-1 or something like that. which will possibly lead to another to look at.

Marc

Thanks very much I have looked a few places for the bakelite and most people say use Brasso and buff it.

Thanks for your suggestion on it I will try and find Dash & trim. Is it available at car spare part shops?

Backing board on face of radio not really fabric and no model number unfortunately. It is really like a plastic wallpaper.

My efforts to clean it thus far indicate its grime built up. Maybe I'll even try brasso on it (in an area behind the front panel not visible) nothing seems to have changed it so far by much but it seems a little more patchy (slightly looking like parts of it have cleaned).

I have already washed the outer case with detergent it wasn't too dirty. I have cleaned up the knobs.

I have no idea how to check the inside but it works. Bit of rust on the coil capacitors & valves look okay.

Any ideas where I can do a course? Thanks again for your response.
I'll let you know the results

Brasso does a fair job if plenty of elbow grease is used. Never be tempted to use an electric buffer wheel though. It'll rip right through the bakelite even with light application and the damage is not reversible.

The main problem with Brasso is that the yellow residue takes time to get off and if the surface of the bakelite has deep crazing it can soak into the cracks and this cannot be removed, leavinga finish that looks like the radio has developed varicose veins.

This isn't to say Brasso or its sister product, Silvo, should be avoided at all times. It's a matter of choosing the best product for each situation, learning and knowing the limitations that each product has. I usually favour car cutting compounds such as Kitten but the pink colour of the car polish can have the same effect on crazed surfaces although if the bakelite is the same colour as your choice of cutting product then it won't matter that much.

As far as I am aware there are no formal courses that provide instruction in valve-based electronics. To get anything close the only way is to join a vintage radio club and attend the meetings and functions they organise. At some of these gatherings the more experienced collectors run lectures on things ranging from polishing cabinets to basic repairs and diagnosis or faults.

I would still like a photo of the backing board to see what we have?

Despite fixing valve radio's for over 40 years, I am actually a textile dyer, who has spent a lot of time working in the area of polymers.

The Dash & trim is automotive.

The main ingredient of car cutting polish, toothpaste & Brasso, is Sodium Bi Carbonate (Baking Soda), as a paste. It is only soluble to one part in ten.

This will get into the pores of the Bakelite which is why I stay away from car polish. Most of that has Silicone in it which makes it hard to get at the Bi Carb.

Bi carb, without the water repellant silicone can be reacted out with mild vinegar solution.

Of the people I know that have attempted scratch removal on Bakelite, They have ended up with the finest "wet & dry" paper available and still ended up delustering the surface, as they have removed the shiny surface.

HRSA may have someone teaching? Our Club tries & I do a bit by having the Club fix it days at my place (for want of anywhere else that has parts). I am probably the more active fixer in the Club.

Not too many left that knew valve technology.

Marc

Thanks for all of your help. It will stop me from damaging a lovely radio.

Okay so the outer isn't too bad I was just hoping to make it better (maybe I should leave it alone I don't want any varicose veins on my lovley radio).

How can I upload pictures? I did see something in a post but can't remember which one.

Now I'm afraid vinegar is a dirty word. Sorry but no matter what nothing smells or tastes as bad as vinegar. I hate the stuff won't go near it. It makes me sick.

I did come across the HRSA site.

I'm going to see a radiogram tomorrow night which has the radio stuck (can't seem to find one in good condition with both the radio & record player working). This one has the turntable working and is from the 60's so may become my next project. All the good ones are in Victoria unfortunately.

Does anyone in the club fix radios for others?

Also are there any meetings/events coming up?

Thanks to Both of you for your help. It so nice to find something I can't wait to read!

The general idea with Bi Carb is an acid base reaction to get rid of it, being aware of the by product you create.

You can use citric acid (lime remover). Thes are all food grade things you can get at a supermarket.

Sometimes it is better to leave & experiment on a wrecked cabinet, to appreciate the danger. Bakelite does exude some Formaldehyde, which often destroys things that are put on it. Acrylic ceiling paint being one.

Radiograms are a pet hate. I have an Astor here where the Monkey has been at the turntable. Things are bent & bad repairs attempted. Unfortunately the plastic on the tone arm is crystalising so is a write off.

This is the first Radio module in several hundred, where every resistor & cap had failed. Valves OK.
I suspect lightning. Transformer passed insulation test?

You will likely find with turntable that all of the oil & grease has dried out. Most of those motors had plain bearings & never got oiled.

What do you mean by radio is stuck? I assume dial drive. That can be anything from broken cordage to obstruction. Eg Mouse (they love paper caps). I have a Philips 6501 where one has chomped the coils & caps.

Send photo's to Brad.

I tend to confine my fixing to Radio chassis. Albeit Machinery fits in there as well I am on my fourth attempt on a 100,000 mile service on the Ute. Due to storm damage around the area holding things up.

Marc

Okay, so I've had a listen to a Kriesler radiogram and found the sound not crash hot. I'm now going to fast forward into the 70's and look at a component system.

I can't find an email address for Brad.

Thanks for you information Marc.

G'day Heather,

My e-mail address is on my profile page. Just click on my name to go there. Many members show their e-mail on their profile pages now instead of posting them in the forums as an anti-spam measure. Only members who are logged in can see e-mail addresses on the profile pages.

Another useful product for mottled brown bakelite such as that found on Kriesler 31-4 etc is Autosol.
Comes in a tube & resembles toothpaste. Trialled it on one of my own radios which was dull & dirty to look at with 30 years of smokers grime baked in & the result was magnificant. The radio looks like new & now has a smooth protected feeling to it when rubbed with the back of the hand - nearly 9 months after application. Would suspect though not suitable for the later thin flexible plastic type cabinets.
It is an automotive product designed primarily for metals but has much wider apps. Avail from Autobarn etc
Regards Paul