Hi, I have restored an old Coronado radio, electrically that is, but have not found anything yet that will clean the cabinet worth a darn, its has a bakelite cabinet, any ideas as to what to use and get this cabinet cleaned up and shinning again?
Mark

:Hi, I have restored an old Coronado radio, electrically that is, but have not found anything yet that will clean the cabinet worth a darn, its has a bakelite cabinet, any ideas as to what to use and get this cabinet cleaned up and shinning again?
: Mark
:

:Hi, I have restored an old Coronado radio, electrically that is, but have not found anything yet that will clean the cabinet worth a darn, its has a bakelite cabinet, any ideas as to what to use and get this cabinet cleaned up and shinning again?
: Mark
:

Hi Mark

If the cabinet is bakelite you can use just about anything to clean it without damage. This would include 409, paint thinner etc. It will look dull when you finish. I then use car wax. After wax it will look like new.

Norm

:Hi, I have restored an old Coronado radio, electrically that is, but have not found anything yet that will clean the cabinet worth a darn, its has a bakelite cabinet, any ideas as to what to use and get this cabinet cleaned up and shinning again?
: Mark
:

:Hi Mark
:
: If the cabinet is bakelite you can use just about anything to clean it without damage. This would include 409, paint thinner etc. It will look dull when you finish. I then use car wax. After wax it will look like new.
:
:Norm
:
::Hi, I have restored an old Coronado radio, electrically that is, but have not found anything yet that will clean the cabinet worth a darn, its has a bakelite cabinet, any ideas as to what to use and get this cabinet cleaned up and shinning again?
:: Mark
::

Sometimes, too, if you have a small buffer (much smaller than that for a car), you can buff the finish to an incredibly high gloss. You must use careful thought and planning before going through with something like this, though. You don't want a buffer that will vibrate the bakelite and break it, and you don't want to put much pressure on the bakelite, either.

::Hi Mark
::
:: If the cabinet is bakelite you can use just about anything to clean it without damage. This would include 409, paint thinner etc. It will look dull when you finish. I then use car wax. After wax it will look like new.
::
::Norm
::Thanks guys, I'll try these ideas, never thought about the 409 paint thinner and car wax, will let you know how it turns out.
Mark

:::Hi, I have restored an old Coronado radio, electrically that is, but have not found anything yet that will clean the cabinet worth a darn, its has a bakelite cabinet, any ideas as to what to use and get this cabinet cleaned up and shinning again?
::: Mark
:::

:Hi Mark
:
: If the cabinet is bakelite you can use just about anything to clean it without damage. This would include 409, paint thinner etc. It will look dull when you finish. I then use car wax. After wax it will look like new.
:
:Norm
:Hi Norm
Well the paint thinner idea was ok to clean the cabinet, but the car wax idea was unfortunately not, and after cleaning it a second time, I thought of something I hadn't tried to bring the shine and pattern back out, I found that "Black Magic" was the key! WOW! this baby looks like brand new now!
Mark
::Hi, I have restored an old Coronado radio, electrically that is, but have not found anything yet that will clean the cabinet worth a darn, its has a bakelite cabinet, any ideas as to what to use and get this cabinet cleaned up and shinning again?
:: Mark
::

Black Eagic is excellent, though oily. I love the stuff, though. Still, if you use a good buffer (or use your muscles until you are blue in the face), a good simoniz cleaner wax will buff out the bakelite. Cleaner wax literally polishes away a small dead layer of paint, or in your case bakelite.

Still, if the Black Magic worked, leave well enough alone. It works incredibly well. (I'm not trying to contradict what you say, either...just making a point that you can actually polish the bakelite if you wish to exert such an effort...it will be long lasting.) Another thing you may want to try in the future is telephone cleaner spray. That stuff is a miracle, though it has the same oily qualities of Black Magic. You just spray it on and wipe it off. If you don't have a telephone or electronics place in your area that sells the stuff, look on eBay or ask someone in here. Just about every radio restorer knows about it.

:Black Eagic is excellent, though oily. I love the stuff, though. Still, if you use a good buffer (or use your muscles until you are blue in the face), a good simoniz cleaner wax will buff out the bakelite. Cleaner wax literally polishes away a small dead layer of paint, or in your case bakelite.
:
:Still, if the Black Magic worked, leave well enough alone. It works incredibly well. (I'm not trying to contradict what you say, either...just making a point that you can actually polish the bakelite if you wish to exert such an effort...it will be long lasting.) Another thing you may want to try in the future is telephone cleaner spray. That stuff is a miracle, though it has the same oily qualities of Black Magic. You just spray it on and wipe it off. If you don't have a telephone or electronics place in your area that sells the stuff, look on eBay or ask someone in here. Just about every radio restorer knows about it.
:Hi Norm
Thanks, I'll keep the phone cleaner in mind, didn't know about the stuff, just happy to have the case looking really nice now! thanks for your help:)
Mark

What is Black Magic? A paint product? A wax? A cleaning Product?

Actually they are the finer polishing grades of automotive rubbing compounds, which actually work very well at removing scrathes, pits, dirt, and restoring the shine.

When I had my web page, I am not sure if it is still up, I had a page devoted to using rubbing compounds on Bakelite and the "before" and "after" were dramatic. The case I used had been on a radio used in a welding shop.

Don't be afraid to use the "machine" polishes, they just cut slower by hand.

"Maguires" makes a line of polishes in specific grades, and I have used them for removing graffiti carved into plexiglass. (not all clear plastics respond well, but most do) when finished off with a "fine cut cleaner" followed by a "fine cut polish".

In short, it is the exact same process and materials as used by auto body refinishers when rubbing out paint.

:What is Black Magic? A paint product? A wax? A cleaning Product?

:What is Black Magic? A paint product? A wax? A cleaning Product?
:Hi leon
its a polymer plastic cleaner and protectant, it works very well on Bakelite cabinets, but first you must clean the cabinet well, then use the Black Magic.
Mark