I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.

Christopher Ross

: I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.

: Christopher Ross

Hi

I have tried many different paint strippers with no luck. I now leave the old paint and sand it smooth. Then I repaint the radio to as close to the orginal color as I can find. You can try sanding but it may damage the finish.

Good luck
Tom Guest

: I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.

: Christopher Ross

I place the radio case in a tube og water with a heavy dose of Dawn dishwashing sope and let it soke foe a week and then scrape of the paint with a plastic puddy knife. It works for me.

Bob

:Hi
:
:I have tried many different paint strippers with no luck. I now leave the old paint and sand it smooth. Then I repaint the radio to as close to the orginal color as I can find. You can try sanding but it may damage the finish.
:
:Good luck
:Tom Guest
:
:
:
:
:: I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.
:
:: Christopher Ross
:
:

I place the radio case in a tube of water with a heavy dose of Dawn dishwashing soap and let it soak for a week and then scrape of the paint with a plastic puddy knife. It works for me.

Bob

:Hi
:
:I have tried many different paint strippers with no luck. I now leave the old paint and sand it smooth. Then I repaint the radio to as close to the orginal color as I can find. You can try sanding but it may damage the finish.
:
:Good luck
:Tom Guest
:
:
:
:
:: I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.
:
:: Christopher Ross
:
:

If you use Zip-Strip, and allow it to react for a while, the paint will come loose. The paint is baked on quite well, though. I Zip-Stripped a few RCA radios this way. You must be very gentle with your scraper when removing the paint, or you will scratch the radio. It also must be done in many applications (5 or more), as some paint is very stubborn. Eventually you will get it all off. A plastic scraper, unless it, too, is made of bakelite, will not work with Zip-Strip. Metal can scratch the finish. Use a tooth brush or a very large, stiff, plastic scrubbing brush. A very sharp razor, and a very careful hand holding the razor at an extreme angle, will remove stubborn paint. The razor must be fresh with no burrs, and you must not scratch the radio with the razor. If a large section of paint does not come off easily, you must resort to one of the two methods of softening it more (water or Zip-Strip). Don't go using the razor to remove a large section of stubborn paint. You'll definitely scratch the radio.

Any fine scratches can be removed later by waxing the case. Some of the bakelite cases are amazing in design, too. Most are just black, but on occasion you will run across a set that has brown swirled bakelite, or some other neat pattern. I have an Arvin that turned out to have the most awesome bakelite under ivory paint.

I'd try the water method first, though, actually you could try both methods, and see which works best for you. Perhaps you could first soak the radio in water, which softens the paint, and then Zip-Strip it. When you soak the radio, you will likely ruin any paper labels on the base. Perhaps you may save the labels by taking a piece of seran wrap, and adhear the piece of plastic around the label with super glue. Do not get super glue on the label. This also will help protect the label during the Zip-Strip process, though direct contact of the seran wrap with Zip-Strip may eat right through the plastic. You may try other experimentation with such things as tin foil, which isn't very durable, or perhaps a piece of sheet metal, or perhaps a thick piece of plastic. The sheet metal and the thick plastic will have to be adhered with something more like super glue gel, or perhaps some marine Goop. Make the piece at least a quarter inch larger than the label, and glue as far away from the label as possible. If you get glue on the label, it'll come off with the plastic or metal you use to cover it.

Thomas

:I place the radio case in a tube of water with a heavy dose of Dawn dishwashing soap and let it soak for a week and then scrape of the paint with a plastic puddy knife. It works for me.
:
:Bob
:
::Hi
::
::I have tried many different paint strippers with no luck. I now leave the old paint and sand it smooth. Then I repaint the radio to as close to the orginal color as I can find. You can try sanding but it may damage the finish.
::
::Good luck
::Tom Guest
::
::
::
::
::: I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.
::
::: Christopher Ross
::
::

:If you use Zip-Strip, and allow it to react for a while, the paint will come loose. The paint is baked on quite well, though. I Zip-Stripped a few RCA radios this way. You must be very gentle with your scraper when removing the paint, or you will scratch the radio. It also must be done in many applications (5 or more), as some paint is very stubborn. Eventually you will get it all off. A plastic scraper, unless it, too, is made of bakelite, will not work with Zip-Strip. Metal can scratch the finish. Use a tooth brush or a very large, stiff, plastic scrubbing brush. A very sharp razor, and a very careful hand holding the razor at an extreme angle, will remove stubborn paint. The razor must be fresh with no burrs, and you must not scratch the radio with the razor. If a large section of paint does not come off easily, you must resort to one of the two methods of softening it more (water or Zip-Strip). Don't go using the razor to remove a large section of stubborn paint. You'll definitely scratch the radio.
:
:Any fine scratches can be removed later by waxing the case. Some of the bakelite cases are amazing in design, too. Most are just black, but on occasion you will run across a set that has brown swirled bakelite, or some other neat pattern. I have an Arvin that turned out to have the most awesome bakelite under ivory paint.
:
:I'd try the water method first, though, actually you could try both methods, and see which works best for you. Perhaps you could first soak the radio in water, which softens the paint, and then Zip-Strip it. When you soak the radio, you will likely ruin any paper labels on the base. Perhaps you may save the labels by taking a piece of seran wrap, and adhear the piece of plastic around the label with super glue. Do not get super glue on the label. This also will help protect the label during the Zip-Strip process, though direct contact of the seran wrap with Zip-Strip may eat right through the plastic. You may try other experimentation with such things as tin foil, which isn't very durable, or perhaps a piece of sheet metal, or perhaps a thick piece of plastic. The sheet metal and the thick plastic will have to be adhered with something more like super glue gel, or perhaps some marine Goop. Make the piece at least a quarter inch larger than the label, and glue as far away from the label as possible. If you get glue on the label, it'll come off with the plastic or metal you use to cover it.
:
:Thomas
:
::I place the radio case in a tube of water with a heavy dose of Dawn dishwashing soap and let it soak for a week and then scrape of the paint with a plastic puddy knife. It works for me.
::
::Bob
::
:::Hi
:::
:::I have tried many different paint strippers with no luck. I now leave the old paint and sand it smooth. Then I repaint the radio to as close to the orginal color as I can find. You can try sanding but it may damage the finish.
:::
:::Good luck
:::Tom Guest
:::
:::
:::
:::
:::: I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.
:::
:::: Christopher Ross
:::
:::

Spray the radio with Easy Off Oven cleaner, place it in a plastic bag overnite and rinse the paint off the next day with water. It works great on bakelite, use eye and skin protection, read the cautions on the can.

There you go! If that stuff can take the skin off your hands, it might as well take paint off a radio!

:Spray the radio with Easy Off Oven cleaner, place it in a plastic bag overnite and rinse the paint off the next day with water. It works great on bakelite, use eye and skin protection, read the cautions on the can.
:

::If you use Zip-Strip, and allow it to react for a while, the paint will come loose. The paint is baked on quite well, though. I Zip-Stripped a few RCA radios this way. You must be very gentle with your scraper when removing the paint, or you will scratch the radio. It also must be done in many applications (5 or more), as some paint is very stubborn. Eventually you will get it all off. A plastic scraper, unless it, too, is made of bakelite, will not work with Zip-Strip. Metal can scratch the finish. Use a tooth brush or a very large, stiff, plastic scrubbing brush. A very sharp razor, and a very careful hand holding the razor at an extreme angle, will remove stubborn paint. The razor must be fresh with no burrs, and you must not scratch the radio with the razor. If a large section of paint does not come off easily, you must resort to one of the two methods of softening it more (water or Zip-Strip). Don't go using the razor to remove a large section of stubborn paint. You'll definitely scratch the radio.
::
::Any fine scratches can be removed later by waxing the case. Some of the bakelite cases are amazing in design, too. Most are just black, but on occasion you will run across a set that has brown swirled bakelite, or some other neat pattern. I have an Arvin that turned out to have the most awesome bakelite under ivory paint.
::
::I'd try the water method first, though, actually you could try both methods, and see which works best for you. Perhaps you could first soak the radio in water, which softens the paint, and then Zip-Strip it. When you soak the radio, you will likely ruin any paper labels on the base. Perhaps you may save the labels by taking a piece of seran wrap, and adhear the piece of plastic around the label with super glue. Do not get super glue on the label. This also will help protect the label during the Zip-Strip process, though direct contact of the seran wrap with Zip-Strip may eat right through the plastic. You may try other experimentation with such things as tin foil, which isn't very durable, or perhaps a piece of sheet metal, or perhaps a thick piece of plastic. The sheet metal and the thick plastic will have to be adhered with something more like super glue gel, or perhaps some marine Goop. Make the piece at least a quarter inch larger than the label, and glue as far away from the label as possible. If you get glue on the label, it'll come off with the plastic or metal you use to cover it.
::
::Thomas
::
:::I place the radio case in a tube of water with a heavy dose of Dawn dishwashing soap and let it soak for a week and then scrape of the paint with a plastic puddy knife. It works for me.
:::
:::Bob
:::
::::Hi
::::
::::I have tried many different paint strippers with no luck. I now leave the old paint and sand it smooth. Then I repaint the radio to as close to the orginal color as I can find. You can try sanding but it may damage the finish.
::::
::::Good luck
::::Tom Guest
::::
::::
::::
::::
::::: I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.
::::
::::: Christopher Ross
::::
::::
::

Danger Danger!!!

Do NOT use ANY caustic product on bakelite it WILL desolve it!

Yes there is a non-caustic Easy-off for aluminum grilles, this may work??? Never tried it.

Other caustic products to a lesser degree:

Windex
409
and most other "cleaners in a squirt bottle"

Any cleaner chemical that is ph neutral or slighly acid should be O.K. for bakelite.

Ever wonder why there are so many dull bakelite radios around?

I have used a methlene chloride based paint stripper for bakelite with good results, such as 5F5. However check the stripper formulas. Any stripper that has .... hydroxide or plain language says "LYE" or "caustic" should NEVER be used on bakelite. If you use a dishwasher, look at your bakelite pot handles and the etching of the aluminum pot! Even dishwasher detergent is caustic!

Regards,

Charles

:There you go! If that stuff can take the skin off your hands, it might as well take paint off a radio!
:
:
::Spray the radio with Easy Off Oven cleaner, place it in a plastic bag overnite and rinse the paint off the next day with water. It works great on bakelite, use eye and skin protection, read the cautions on the can.
::
:
:
:::If you use Zip-Strip, and allow it to react for a while, the paint will come loose. The paint is baked on quite well, though. I Zip-Stripped a few RCA radios this way. You must be very gentle with your scraper when removing the paint, or you will scratch the radio. It also must be done in many applications (5 or more), as some paint is very stubborn. Eventually you will get it all off. A plastic scraper, unless it, too, is made of bakelite, will not work with Zip-Strip. Metal can scratch the finish. Use a tooth brush or a very large, stiff, plastic scrubbing brush. A very sharp razor, and a very careful hand holding the razor at an extreme angle, will remove stubborn paint. The razor must be fresh with no burrs, and you must not scratch the radio with the razor. If a large section of paint does not come off easily, you must resort to one of the two methods of softening it more (water or Zip-Strip). Don't go using the razor to remove a large section of stubborn paint. You'll definitely scratch the radio.
:::
:::Any fine scratches can be removed later by waxing the case. Some of the bakelite cases are amazing in design, too. Most are just black, but on occasion you will run across a set that has brown swirled bakelite, or some other neat pattern. I have an Arvin that turned out to have the most awesome bakelite under ivory paint.
:::
:::I'd try the water method first, though, actually you could try both methods, and see which works best for you. Perhaps you could first soak the radio in water, which softens the paint, and then Zip-Strip it. When you soak the radio, you will likely ruin any paper labels on the base. Perhaps you may save the labels by taking a piece of seran wrap, and adhear the piece of plastic around the label with super glue. Do not get super glue on the label. This also will help protect the label during the Zip-Strip process, though direct contact of the seran wrap with Zip-Strip may eat right through the plastic. You may try other experimentation with such things as tin foil, which isn't very durable, or perhaps a piece of sheet metal, or perhaps a thick piece of plastic. The sheet metal and the thick plastic will have to be adhered with something more like super glue gel, or perhaps some marine Goop. Make the piece at least a quarter inch larger than the label, and glue as far away from the label as possible. If you get glue on the label, it'll come off with the plastic or metal you use to cover it.
:::
:::Thomas
:::
::::I place the radio case in a tube of water with a heavy dose of Dawn dishwashing soap and let it soak for a week and then scrape of the paint with a plastic puddy knife. It works for me.
::::
::::Bob
::::
:::::Hi
:::::
:::::I have tried many different paint strippers with no luck. I now leave the old paint and sand it smooth. Then I repaint the radio to as close to the orginal color as I can find. You can try sanding but it may damage the finish.
:::::
:::::Good luck
:::::Tom Guest
:::::
:::::
:::::
:::::
:::::: I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.
:::::
:::::: Christopher Ross
:::::
:::::
:::

True. I don't know if Zip-Strip is caustic. It does work, and doesn't seem to dull the bakelite. Bakelite also goes dull in sunlight. Since a painted bakelite radio has never been exposed to the "elements," its finish is fresh, and if stripped properly, and in a timely manner (like never allowing the stripper to stand for more than an hour at a time), it will be glossy. If you were to repaint your radio every year, and Zip-Strip it just as often, I'm sure you'd ruin the bakelite soon, but one job seems to do no harm.

Carnauba wax (Simonize) brings mildly dull bakelite back to life, and is quite durable. If it is buffed properly, each time switching to a clean rag when the old one has too much residue to remove streaks, you can obtain a streak free finish. I've heard of this "telephone cleaner" that comes in an aerosol can. I've even used it with absolutely spectacular results. It gets down into the bakelite, and gets rid of the milky appearance. The only drawback of this substance is that it can streak like Lemon Pledge (which is not good for woodwork like the manufacturer says). Still, aerosol telephone cleaner does miracles to old telephone receivers. I've used Nu Finish on automobile lacquers with wonderful results. Tried it once on bakelite, but it didn't do too much good. You'll have to try it for yourself.

I guess you really have to be careful with what you use on bakelite, though. It is very durable, and won't be instantly ruined by many chemicals. It's even fire resistant (though fire will ruin appearance), but many things like sunlight, prolonged moisture, and other organic things, will cause it to become soft and crumbly with time.

:Danger Danger!!!
:
:Do NOT use ANY caustic product on bakelite it WILL desolve it!
:
:Yes there is a non-caustic Easy-off for aluminum grilles, this may work??? Never tried it.
:
:Other caustic products to a lesser degree:
:
:Windex
:409
:and most other "cleaners in a squirt bottle"
:
:Any cleaner chemical that is ph neutral or slighly acid should be O.K. for bakelite.
:
:Ever wonder why there are so many dull bakelite radios around?
:
:I have used a methlene chloride based paint stripper for bakelite with good results, such as 5F5. However check the stripper formulas. Any stripper that has .... hydroxide or plain language says "LYE" or "caustic" should NEVER be used on bakelite. If you use a dishwasher, look at your bakelite pot handles and the etching of the aluminum pot! Even dishwasher detergent is caustic!
:
:Regards,
:
:Charles
:
::There you go! If that stuff can take the skin off your hands, it might as well take paint off a radio!
::
::
:::Spray the radio with Easy Off Oven cleaner, place it in a plastic bag overnite and rinse the paint off the next day with water. It works great on bakelite, use eye and skin protection, read the cautions on the can.
:::
::
::
::::If you use Zip-Strip, and allow it to react for a while, the paint will come loose. The paint is baked on quite well, though. I Zip-Stripped a few RCA radios this way. You must be very gentle with your scraper when removing the paint, or you will scratch the radio. It also must be done in many applications (5 or more), as some paint is very stubborn. Eventually you will get it all off. A plastic scraper, unless it, too, is made of bakelite, will not work with Zip-Strip. Metal can scratch the finish. Use a tooth brush or a very large, stiff, plastic scrubbing brush. A very sharp razor, and a very careful hand holding the razor at an extreme angle, will remove stubborn paint. The razor must be fresh with no burrs, and you must not scratch the radio with the razor. If a large section of paint does not come off easily, you must resort to one of the two methods of softening it more (water or Zip-Strip). Don't go using the razor to remove a large section of stubborn paint. You'll definitely scratch the radio.
::::
::::Any fine scratches can be removed later by waxing the case. Some of the bakelite cases are amazing in design, too. Most are just black, but on occasion you will run across a set that has brown swirled bakelite, or some other neat pattern. I have an Arvin that turned out to have the most awesome bakelite under ivory paint.
::::
::::I'd try the water method first, though, actually you could try both methods, and see which works best for you. Perhaps you could first soak the radio in water, which softens the paint, and then Zip-Strip it. When you soak the radio, you will likely ruin any paper labels on the base. Perhaps you may save the labels by taking a piece of seran wrap, and adhear the piece of plastic around the label with super glue. Do not get super glue on the label. This also will help protect the label during the Zip-Strip process, though direct contact of the seran wrap with Zip-Strip may eat right through the plastic. You may try other experimentation with such things as tin foil, which isn't very durable, or perhaps a piece of sheet metal, or perhaps a thick piece of plastic. The sheet metal and the thick plastic will have to be adhered with something more like super glue gel, or perhaps some marine Goop. Make the piece at least a quarter inch larger than the label, and glue as far away from the label as possible. If you get glue on the label, it'll come off with the plastic or metal you use to cover it.
::::
::::Thomas
::::
:::::I place the radio case in a tube of water with a heavy dose of Dawn dishwashing soap and let it soak for a week and then scrape of the paint with a plastic puddy knife. It works for me.
:::::
:::::Bob
:::::
::::::Hi
::::::
::::::I have tried many different paint strippers with no luck. I now leave the old paint and sand it smooth. Then I repaint the radio to as close to the orginal color as I can find. You can try sanding but it may damage the finish.
::::::
::::::Good luck
::::::Tom Guest
::::::
::::::
::::::
::::::
::::::: I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.
::::::
::::::: Christopher Ross
::::::
::::::
::::

:Danger Danger!!!
:
:Do NOT use ANY caustic product on bakelite it WILL desolve it!
:

Charlie

I know you are giving advice on something you know nothing about. You WANT the caustic oven cleaner. I have done many this way with GREAT results.

easyrider

::Danger Danger!!!
::
::Do NOT use ANY caustic product on bakelite it WILL desolve it!
::
:
:
:Charlie
:
:I know you are giving advice on something you know nothing about. You WANT the caustic oven cleaner. I have done many this way with GREAT results.
:
:easyrider

:I have used Castrol Super Clean on my RCA Little Nipper radio, it was origianl Ivory and had been repainted an Ivory color, not to good. Any way have used this cleaner on plastic model kits with excellent results and thought I would try it on my RCA radio, worked great, remove the insides first and any other parts, metal, etc. Use a old tooth brush and take off, where latex gloves and eye protection, to be safe. Good luck. Terry Onda.

I belong to the methelene chloride camp. It takes several applications, factory paint is murder! And I use a strip of wood to scrape with, but I find it the most effective. You can also rub the soft paint patches off with stripper and medium to coarse steel wool while everything is wet, but wear PVC gloves.
Watch those fumes, though. Not a good buzz!
Neutralize with a methyl hydrate bath.
Afterwards, a good rubdown with #0000 steel wool and then wax, if natural bakelite is your bag.

If done right, you can see your face in it afterwards.

:I place the radio case in a tube of water with a heavy dose of Dawn dishwashing soap and let it soak for a week and then scrape of the paint with a plastic puddy knife. It works for me.
:
:Bob
:
::Hi
::
::I have tried many different paint strippers with no luck. I now leave the old paint and sand it smooth. Then I repaint the radio to as close to the orginal color as I can find. You can try sanding but it may damage the finish.
::
::Good luck
::Tom Guest
::
::
::
::
::: I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.
::
::: Christopher Ross
::
::

:I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.
:
:Christopher Ross

::I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.
::i recomend brake fluid yes brake fluid BUT dont leave it on mothen 5 too 10 minits then try scraping it off witha peice of sharpend sheet metal work quickly and then wash residue away with alchahol or soapy water knob s might be best cleared of paint with a sharp edged peice of oak experiment !
::Christopher Ross

:::I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.
:::i recomend brake fluid yes brake fluid BUT dont leave it on mothen 5 too 10 minits then try scraping it off witha peice of sharpend sheet metal work quickly and then wash residue away with alchahol or soapy water knob s might be best cleared of paint with a sharp edged peice of oak experiment !
:::Christopher Ross

::::I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.
::::i recomend brake fluid yes brake fluid BUT dont leave it on mothen 5 too 10 minits then try scraping it off witha peice of sharpend sheet metal work quickly and then wash residue away with alchahol or soapy water knob s might be best cleared of paint with a sharp edged peice of oak experiment !
::::Christopher Ross

:::::I have an RCA and a Stomberg Carleson. Both are painted bakelite radios. The paint on both is so bad that the radios are in completley unacceptable condition. What I would like to do is to strip the paint and leave them unpainted - the knobs on both are painted bakelite as well. My problem is that I have tried two different types of paint strippers and neither one worked. They did not lift or even soften the finish. Any suggestions.
:::::i recomend brake fluid yes brake fluid BUT dont leave it on mothen 5 too 10 minits then try scraping it off witha peice of sharpend sheet metal work quickly and then wash residue away with alchahol or soapy water knob s might be best cleared of paint with a sharp edged peice of oak experiment !
:::::Christopher Ross

If you have access to a bead blast cabinet not sand blast and you are going to repaint the cabinet-it really works well. Mary