Hi, this is probably a dumb question but, ivory colored bakelite radios. Are they painted over brown bakelite or did they have ivory colored bakelite? If they are painted did they paint inside the cabinet also? I just completed restoring a H-500 General Electric that had some real bad cracks and one dime sized hole on the top. I used bondo, super glue, and epoxy glue. I painted it ivory and it came out fabulous, can't even see the repairs unless you look inside. Had to paint it due to the damage. What are your thoughts on this kind of restoration. This was my first bakelite project, usually I like wood radios and try to keep as original as possible. Thanks, George T.

Hi Geirge

There were a lot of ivory painted bakelite radios. Painted right over brown material. In time few will know the radio wasn't originally that way.

Norm

:Hi, this is probably a dumb question but, ivory colored bakelite radios. Are they painted over brown bakelite or did they have ivory colored bakelite? If they are painted did they paint inside the cabinet also? I just completed restoring a H-500 General Electric that had some real bad cracks and one dime sized hole on the top. I used bondo, super glue, and epoxy glue. I painted it ivory and it came out fabulous, can't even see the repairs unless you look inside. Had to paint it due to the damage. What are your thoughts on this kind of restoration. This was my first bakelite project, usually I like wood radios and try to keep as original as possible. Thanks, George T.

I tried painting over brown bakelite a time or two. I do not anymore. The result was a severe cracking/separation of the paint. It would separate from the bakelite and just become one big do it over mess. There is an automotive primer that can be used.

Hi del in mn's, I hope it sticks too, used an automotive sanding primer after roughing up the surface. Then sprayed it with epoxy paint. I had real good luck doing this to my old motorcycle and the paint looked great after 3 years then I sold it. Time will tell though. I put some heat shields inside of the radio to cut down on the high heat from the tubes. It has worked fairly well the cabinet doesn't have that real hot spot on the left rear. Now the whole top gets warm with no hot spots. Best Regards, George T.

You shouldn't have to rough the surface, though if your radio has already been repaired, there's no harm in doing so. Don't do it to a perfect radio, though. Enamels and lacquers will work fine. Bake the radio at about 150 degrees in the oven until it no longer smells. Then the paint will stick well. Epoxy paints can be fine, too, though they're really hard to strip. I've had a small amount of good luck with them, and a lot of bad luck with them. For one, if you put too thick a coat on, the underside never dries. The paint will be dentable even after a year.

T.