I just picked up a homebrew set from the 20's at an auction. Does anyone have any ideas on how to brighten up the front panel? It's some type of light brown bakelite or hard rubber and has a pattern molded in so I would not like to sand or rub it off.
Thanks,
Tom

Hi Tom

Might try cleaning than using wax. Cleaning will make it dull. Than a couple coats of wax should bring up a shine. If you really want it brightened up you could spray it with Crystal Clear Krylon.

Norm

:I just picked up a homebrew set from the 20's at an auction. Does anyone have any ideas on how to brighten up the front panel? It's some type of light brown bakelite or hard rubber and has a pattern molded in so I would not like to sand or rub it off.
:Thanks,
:Tom

:Hi Tom
:
: Might try cleaning than using wax. Cleaning will make it dull. Than a couple coats of wax should bring up a shine. If you really want it brightened up you could spray it with Crystal Clear Krylon.
:
:Norm
:
::I just picked up a homebrew set from the 20's at an auction. Does anyone have any ideas on how to brighten up the front panel? It's some type of light brown bakelite or hard rubber and has a pattern molded in so I would not like to sand or rub it off.
::Thanks,
::Tom

Thanks, I would be afraid to try wax becouse it would be very hard to get the dried wax out of all the fine lined random pattern molded in. After stripping the radio down, I see this front panel was black and has just faded to light brown. So I could paint it black but I don't know if the paint would stick to the hard rubber molded panel. What do you think?
Thanks,
Tom

Hi Tom

I would prefer Crystal Clear Krylon instead of painting. This will improve the looks and you can control amount of gloss.

Pledge should work. It may take several applications to get a nice even look on the panel.

Norm

::Hi Tom
::
:: Might try cleaning than using wax. Cleaning will make it dull. Than a couple coats of wax should bring up a shine. If you really want it brightened up you could spray it with Crystal Clear Krylon.
::
::Norm
::
:::I just picked up a homebrew set from the 20's at an auction. Does anyone have any ideas on how to brighten up the front panel? It's some type of light brown bakelite or hard rubber and has a pattern molded in so I would not like to sand or rub it off.
:::Thanks,
:::Tom
:
:Thanks, I would be afraid to try wax becouse it would be very hard to get the dried wax out of all the fine lined random pattern molded in. After stripping the radio down, I see this front panel was black and has just faded to light brown. So I could paint it black but I don't know if the paint would stick to the hard rubber molded panel. What do you think?
:Thanks,
:Tom

Norm,

Could you enlighten me a bit on the Krylon Crystal Clear? I'm following your advice on refinishing an AK40, where you also mention this product. What does it do? Is it basically a clear, shiny coating that makes things glossy?

Thanks

Michael J.

:Norm, Sorry, I thought you were talking about car wax, I will give Pledge a try.
What is the thought on restoring Homebrew sets? should I modify a workable radio for better performace or better workmanship or just clean it up?
This is a nice three tube set with quality parts in a better than average oak case. It just could have better layout and the wiring could be a little better.
Thanks for the thoughts,
Tom

Hi Tom
:
: I would prefer Crystal Clear Krylon instead of painting. This will improve the looks and you can control amount of gloss.
:
: Pledge should work. It may take several applications to get a nice even look on the panel.
:
:Norm
:
:
:::Hi Tom
:::
::: Might try cleaning than using wax. Cleaning will make it dull. Than a couple coats of wax should bring up a shine. If you really want it brightened up you could spray it with Crystal Clear Krylon.
:::
:::Norm
:::
::::I just picked up a homebrew set from the 20's at an auction. Does anyone have any ideas on how to brighten up the front panel? It's some type of light brown bakelite or hard rubber and has a pattern molded in so I would not like to sand or rub it off.
::::Thanks,
::::Tom
::
::Thanks, I would be afraid to try wax becouse it would be very hard to get the dried wax out of all the fine lined random pattern molded in. After stripping the radio down, I see this front panel was black and has just faded to light brown. So I could paint it black but I don't know if the paint would stick to the hard rubber molded panel. What do you think?
::Thanks,
::Tom