I need some help. I am restoring an RCA model 510 Radiola. Last weekend I "cleaned" the bakelite cabinet with comet and a toothbrush. Now it is very clean, and all the finish is gone. The cabinet is in excellent physical condition (no cracks or scratches). I need to know what product and procedure to do to restore the shiny finish again.

Hi, this may sound a little weird but try some black or brown shoe polish. Rub it on and buff it off before it dries. I have had really good results with it.

:Hi, this may sound a little weird but try some black or brown shoe polish. Rub it on and buff it off before it dries. I have had really good results with it.

Thanks for the advice George. I'll give it a try.

Hi Mike and George,
I use neutural shoe polish, so the original color is retained. That works well for me. I have also heard using brasso for the cleaning, too, on this forum.

Best Regards,

Bill Grimm

Before the shoe polish I first use Brasso and rub it on like you would compound your car.
It will reward you with a GREAT lasting shine.

Brasso has been recognized now by most of us as the real solution.

Sometimes I will also add some butchers wax or shoe polish as a finishing coat.

Try it... but remember to rub it on well... let dry a bit and buff it out by hand... Brasso is the key to restoring Bakelite.

Hi Mike, if you are new at this hobby you might want to check into Bret's Old Radios DVD set. It is a set of 4 DVD's on refinishing and electronics. They cover bakelite, plastic, plankstan, and wood. They also cover the electronics from the 1930's to the 60's. I got the hole set for 19.95 a disk. They have really helped me and are worth thier weight in gold. bretsoldradios@att.net Have Fun, George.

:Before the shoe polish I first use Brasso and rub it on like you would compound your car.
:It will reward you with a GREAT lasting shine.
:
:Brasso has been recognized now by most of us as the real solution.
:
:Sometimes I will also add some butchers wax or shoe polish as a finishing coat.

Peter,
I used the brasso along with a coat of neutral shoe polish and a lot of elbow grease. Now it looks better than when I got the radio. Thanks!

Mike
:
:Try it... but remember to rub it on well... let dry a bit and buff it out by hand... Brasso is the key to restoring Bakelite.
:

Thank you for the tip, Peter, I will try Brasso next time.
The radio I am restoring now is wooden.

Best Regards,

Bill Grimm

:Hi Mike and George,
: I use neutural shoe polish, so the original color is retained. That works well for me. I have also heard using brasso for the cleaning, too, on this forum.
:
:Best Regards,
:
:Bill Grimm

Bill,
I used the brasso followed by neutral shoe polish along with a lot of elbow grease. Now it looks better than when I got the radio. Thanks!

Mike

:I need some help. I am restoring an RCA model 510 Radiola. Last weekend I "cleaned" the bakelite cabinet with comet and a toothbrush. Now it is very clean, and all the finish is gone. The cabinet is in excellent physical condition (no cracks or scratches). I need to know what product and procedure to do to restore the shiny finish again.

Never,never,never use abrasive cleaners like ajax,comet and or a tooth brush for that matter.Never use detergent cleaners also. This will for the most part take away the natural shine of the baklite finish for good. To clean baklite use a mild solution like Simple Green sold in most True Value stores or a non detergent soap with a SOFT sponge to take away and dirt or stains. Follow this up with what I have found to be very effective spray and buff solution called by the name of Magnolia Glayzit Telephone Refinisher sold by Radio Daze also might try Antique Electric. Use a soft cloth to buff it in until dry.
This method will give great reults to OTHER radios you might clean. For the radio you have alreay cleaned with comet I guess you can try using shoe polish method to try to get back some of the luster.