::I started my radio restoration hobby approximately five years ago and have now restored approximately 75 radios -- all bakelite, metal, wooden cases. I recently acquired my first catalin -- Bendix 526C. I now have the radio working great, but have not toched the case. The case is in excellent structural condition, but has the dull , faded finish from 57 years of inattention. I often use Brasso, Glazit, or Plastix to polish bakelite cases, but have not tried anything on the catalin because I don't want to make any mistakes. Any suggestions for polishing the catalin case would be appreciated. THANKS!
:Sorry about the blank message. I have used Novus polish on catalin cases with good results. Available from Antique Electronics and others in 3 grades, starting with the heavy scratch remover and on to the final polish. Amazing how great some of the cases look after polishing.
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:::I started my radio restoration hobby approximately five years ago and have now restored approximately 75 radios -- all bakelite, metal, wooden cases. I recently acquired my first catalin -- Bendix 526C. I now have the radio working great, but have not toched the case. The case is in excellent structural condition, but has the dull , faded finish from 57 years of inattention. I often use Brasso, Glazit, or Plastix to polish bakelite cases, but have not tried anything on the catalin because I don't want to make any mistakes. Any suggestions for polishing the catalin case would be appreciated. THANKS!
Bill - A different Bill
:Bill - Thanks for the information. I've seen the Novus product advertised, but have not used it. I'll get some and try it.
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:
::Sorry about the blank message. I have used Novus polish on catalin cases with good results. Available from Antique Electronics and others in 3 grades, starting with the heavy scratch remover and on to the final polish. Amazing how great some of the cases look after polishing.
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::::I started my radio restoration hobby approximately five years ago and have now restored approximately 75 radios -- all bakelite, metal, wooden cases. I recently acquired my first catalin -- Bendix 526C. I now have the radio working great, but have not toched the case. The case is in excellent structural condition, but has the dull , faded finish from 57 years of inattention. I often use Brasso, Glazit, or Plastix to polish bakelite cases, but have not tried anything on the catalin because I don't want to make any mistakes. Any suggestions for polishing the catalin case would be appreciated. THANKS!
:Is Novis good for Bakelite?
:
:Bill - A different Bill
:
::Bill - Thanks for the information. I've seen the Novus product advertised, but have not used it. I'll get some and try it.
::
::
:::Sorry about the blank message. I have used Novus polish on catalin cases with good results. Available from Antique Electronics and others in 3 grades, starting with the heavy scratch remover and on to the final polish. Amazing how great some of the cases look after polishing.
:::
:::
:::
:::
:::::I started my radio restoration hobby approximately five years ago and have now restored approximately 75 radios -- all bakelite, metal, wooden cases. I recently acquired my first catalin -- Bendix 526C. I now have the radio working great, but have not toched the case. The case is in excellent structural condition, but has the dull , faded finish from 57 years of inattention. I often use Brasso, Glazit, or Plastix to polish bakelite cases, but have not tried anything on the catalin because I don't want to make any mistakes. Any suggestions for polishing the catalin case would be appreciated. THANKS!
I only start with #3 (the coarsest grade) if absolutely necessary to minimize deep scratches. I usually start with #2 and after hand rubbing I move on to a low speed buffing wheel, then finish up with #1 and a buffing wheel to boost the gloss.
And, as has been mentioned many times before........BRASSO works great also.
By the way.......both products also work great on those plastic watch crystals that are always getting scratched up.
____________________________________________________
:Is Novis good for Bakelite?
:
:Bill - A different Bill
:
::Bill - Thanks for the information. I've seen the Novus product advertised, but have not used it. I'll get some and try it.
::
::
:::Sorry about the blank message. I have used Novus polish on catalin cases with good results. Available from Antique Electronics and others in 3 grades, starting with the heavy scratch remover and on to the final polish. Amazing how great some of the cases look after polishing.
:::
:::
:::
:::
:::::I started my radio restoration hobby approximately five years ago and have now restored approximately 75 radios -- all bakelite, metal, wooden cases. I recently acquired my first catalin -- Bendix 526C. I now have the radio working great, but have not toched the case. The case is in excellent structural condition, but has the dull , faded finish from 57 years of inattention. I often use Brasso, Glazit, or Plastix to polish bakelite cases, but have not tried anything on the catalin because I don't want to make any mistakes. Any suggestions for polishing the catalin case would be appreciated. THANKS!
Sorry if this is a repeat. I can't get the hang
of this interface. Wish I could submit using my
regular mailer program.
http://www.maarc.org/catalin%20corner/catalin_corner.htm
Contains much useful information. He recommends using
250 to 400 grit wet sandpaper (presumably starting with
250 and progressing to 400) to remove the discolored
layer of plastic, followed by rouge to polish the
plastic.
Apparently, UV light discolors the plastic, and this
can only be removed by removing the damaged layer.
Thankfully, this is supposedly very thin.
Mike