Bakelite restoration

[thankey]

How do you best clean and polish a Bakelite transformer case?

[ben10ben]

I like to give it a good wash in soap and water first. Then, once it's dry, I will polish it with some sort of polish.

I've alternated between Lemon Pledge and Armorall. For the time being, at least, I've settled on Amorall, as it seems to give a better shine(although more susceptible to fingerprints). 

I'm currently awaiting the arrival of a specialized polish known as Glaz-It, which is supposed to work wonders on Bakelite. I'm certainly anxious to try it out, and will report back here if it's as good as promised. 

Occasionally, you'll find Bakelite that's especially worn. Typically, "Bakelite" isn't pure phenol formaldehyde resin, but has some sort of filler in it. Sawdust is common. Normally, as a result of the molding process and subsequent polishing, Bakelite is very smooth and shiny. Once the outermost layer is worn off, the plastic can be dull and rough. Once this happens, it's nigh on impossible to restore the shine. I've had some marginal luck using Brasso, but nothing comparing to a factory shine.

With that said, the most commonly encountered Bakelite train items are transformer cases, which, in my experience, rarely get enough wear to not shine up well. I have half a dozen or so Bakelite telephone handsets which never will shine to a high gloss due to excessive wear from handling. 

[RockIsland52]

I am like Ben and have been using Pledge for 45 years on plastic train (cars and engines) surfaces, painted and unpainted (color is in the plastic) and my ZW transformer. Haven't had a problem with this product "removing" numbers and print or paint, though I would strongly advise against tempting fate by rubbing the numbers and print, or getting too vigorous with the painted surfaces.  Have used Pledge on postwar painted Alcos, metal bodied steamers, and layout accessories with the same gentle and cautious approach and the same positive outcome.

You may want to wait and hear what others have to say about this product Pledge before proceding.   

Jack

[aflyer]

I have an AF 18B transformer that is 50 plus years old.  It spent about 35 years in the attic, make that several attics and looked pretty shappy. 

When I started playing with the trains again about two years ago, I used Mothers polishing compound and then some spray detail wax, it looks like brand new. 

I have also purchased two 15B transformers that were pretty shabby looking, same polish and wax and they too look like new.

I don't think you can hurt the bakelite with any automotive cleaners and waxes, they work real well on the AF switch boxes too.

 George